Serve yummy Air-Fried Mozzarella Bites with marinara dipping sauce and watch how fast they disappear! Crisp outside and melted cheese inside!
Cut each piece of string cheese in half widthwise. Pat pieces dry with paper towel.
Set out 3 small bowls side by side with the following ingredients. FIRST BOWL: Place flour and 1 tsp. of salt in bowl; stir together until combined. SECOND BOWL: Add eggs; beat with a whisk or fork until combined. THIRD BOWL: Stir seasoned breadcrumbs and 1 tsp. of salt together until combined.
Place one cheese piece in flour mixture; turn until covered on all sides. Put flour-covered cheese in the egg mixture; use a fork to turn it until all sides are covered with egg. Let excess egg drip back down into the bowl. Lay floured, egg-coated cheese in the breadcrumbs; roll until well-coated on all sides. IMPORTANT: Repeat this process again on the same piece of coated cheese! Dip it back in the flour, back in the egg, then give it a final roll in the breadcrumbs! **Finish all remaining cheese pieces the same way (coating each piece 2 times)
Lay each piece with a space in between each one (in a single layer) on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. You should have 12 mozzarella bites that have each been "covered" two times. Place them in the freezer for 2 hours. This will "flash-freeze them. Don't skip this step!
To Cook: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Spritz each piece lightly (on top) with cooking spray, olive oil or vegetable oil. Lay frozen mozzarella bites (do not thaw) in a single layer, spritzed side UP in the basket. Cook for 3 minutes, then turn each piece over. Lightly spritz top side with oil or cooking spray; continue cooking for about 3 more minutes (approx. 6 minutes total time). When done, mozzarella bites should be heated through and crispy, golden brown on the outside.
Transfer mozzarella bites to a serving plate with a dish of warm marinara sauce on the side, for dipping! TIP: Let mozzarella bites cool slightly before serving because the cheese inside is very hot when they first come out of the air fryer! Enjoy.
NOTE: This caloric calculation is an estimate only, made using an online ingredient calculation program. It does not include marinara sauce because the amount used, or varieties may differ greatly. Also- please note that the FULL calorie amounts for the flour, eggs and breadcrumbs are included in the caloric calculation, but you may not use the entire amount for the preparation.
Air-Fried Mozzarella Bites https://www.thegratefulgirlcooks.com/air-fried-mozzarella-bites/