Ingredients
– 12 oz mozzarella cheese sticks or fresh mozzarella balls
– 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
– Β½ cup all-purpose flour
– 2 large eggs
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Cooking oil for frying or an air fryer for a lighter option
Instructions
1-Begin with cutting the mozzarella into bite-sized pieces or drying off the fresh balls to remove any excess moisture. Next, set up your bowls: mix the flour with salt and pepper in one, whisk the eggs in another, and combine the grated Parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, and oregano in increments like 1 teaspoon each in the third. Then, dredge each piece of mozzarella in the flour mixture, dip it into the eggs, and coat it thoroughly with the breadcrumb mix, pressing gently to make sure it sticks well.
2-Now for the fun part cooking! If youβre frying, heat the oil over medium and cook the bites for 2-3 minutes per side until theyβre golden and crispy, then drain them on paper towels to remove any extra oil. For a healthier twist, preheat your air fryer to 375Β°F (190Β°C) and cook for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even crispiness. Once done, serve them hot with dipping sauces like marinara, ranch, or spicy aioli to round out the flavors. Baking at 375Β°F for 12-15 minutes is another great option for a lighter version, as per some handy tips weβll cover later.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
π§ Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs to make a gluten-free version.
πΆοΈ Add cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the breadcrumb mixture for a spicy kick.
βοΈ Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen uncooked, then cooked directly from frozen.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying, Air frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 bites
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
