Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients

• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 8 whole milk mozzarella sticks

Directions

1. Start with the setup: Cover a rimmed baking sheet with wax paper. In a wide, shallow bowl, whisk the egg lightly.
2. In another wide, shallow bowl, stir together the Italian seasoning, salt, and breadcrumbs. Take a mozzarella stick and dip it in the egg, making sure it is fully covered. Move it to the breadcrumb mixture and coat it all over. Yes, this part gets a little messy. That is fine.
3. Place the coated stick on the prepared rimmed baking sheet, arranging the sticks with space between them so they do not touch. Freeze them for at least 1/2 hour and no longer than 1 hour.
4. Take the mozzarella sticks from the freezer and run each one through the egg again, followed by the breadcrumb mixture. Return them to the freezer for another 1/2 hour minimum, 1 hour maximum.
5. Set the air fryer to 390 degrees F. Mist the air fryer basket and the mozzarella sticks with nonstick cooking spray. Cook the mozzarella sticks in the air fryer, working in batches if you need or want to, for 6 to 8 minutes, until the coating turns golden and crisp.
6. Take them out of the fryer, wait just long enough that you will not burn your tongue, and eat them right away.