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Air fryer mozzarella balls served with marinara sauce on a plate.

Air Fryer Mozzarella Balls

A quick and easy snack featuring crispy, golden crumbs on the outside and melty mozzarella cheese on the inside, perfect for dipping in marinara or ranch sauce.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 23 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cheese and Coating Ingredients
  • 8 ounces Mozzarella Cheese (String cheese or mozzarella pearls recommended)
  • 1 cup Breadcrumbs (Combination of plain and seasoned)
  • 1 large Egg (Whisked)
  • 1/4 cup Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper
Dipping Sauces
  • 1 cup Marinara Sauce (For dipping)
  • 1/2 cup Ranch Dressing (For dipping)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Build your breading station. Set out three shallow bowls: one with the flour, one with the whisked egg, and one with the breadcrumbs mixed with salt and pepper.
  2. Portion the mozzarella. If using string cheese, cut into bite-size pieces. For mozzarella pearls, keep them whole. Pat dry if damp.
Breading
  1. Coat each mozzarella piece in flour, shaking off the excess.
  2. Dip the floured cheese in the whisked egg until fully coated.
  3. Press the egg-coated cheese into the breadcrumb mixture to ensure it’s fully covered.
Cooking
  1. Arrange the mozzarella balls in a single layer in the air fryer basket, not touching.
  2. Cook until the coating is crisp and browned, about 8 minutes.
Serving
  1. Let them sit for about a minute, then serve immediately with marinara and ranch for dipping.

Notes

For best results, pat the mozzarella dry and do not overcrowd the air fryer. Use one hand for wet and the other for dry ingredients to keep the breading process clean.