Ingredients
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon water
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ¾ cup panko bread crumbs
- 6 mozzarella cheese sticks, cut in half, crosswise
- cooking spray
- ¾ cup marinara sauce
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper (Optional)
Directions
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Whisk egg and water together in a shallow dish. Stir flour, salt, and Italian seasoning together in another shallow dish. Place bread crumbs in a third shallow dish.
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Dip cheese sticks into egg mixture, then coat with flour mixture. Dip again into egg mixture, then into bread crumbs until coated. Place on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, about 1 hour.
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Preheat an air fryer to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C). Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
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Place frozen cheese bites in a single layer in the air fryer, working in batches if necessary, being careful not to crowd.
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Cook in the preheated air fryer until golden brown and cheese just begins to melt, 4 to 6 minutes. Repeat with remaining bites.
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Meanwhile, stir together marinara sauce and crushed red pepper.
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Serve mozzarella bites with marinara sauce.
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Cook’s Note:
To make ahead, instead of cooking in the air fryer, transfer frozen cheese bites to a freezer container and freeze up to 1 month. Remove from freezer and cook in air fryer, as directed.
Editor’s Note:
Nutrition data for this recipe includes the full amount of breading ingredients. The actual amount of breading consumed will vary.
