Crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Balls Recipe

Air Fryer Mozzarella Balls are the crispiest ever without any deep frying and all that extra oil. Kids as well as Adults love these delicious cripsy cheese balls coated in seasoned crumb coating. Crispy on the outside and melting cheesy inside, these Fried Mozzarella Balls are so easy to make.

Check out my other AIR FRYER SNACKS RECIPES – Zucchini Pizza Boats, Loaded Nachos, Puff Pastry Pizza, Apple Strudel, Peas Patties, Mini Calzone , Savory Hand Pies and Roasted Nuts and more.

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Crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Balls Recipe

Although Mozzarella Sticks or Mozzarella Bites are very popular snack in America, it is a very popular street snack from Italy. On my recent trip to Rome & Venice, I tasted these delicious cheese balls.

Albeit I love indulging on American Fried Mozzarella Sticks, and I can eat these by dozens. These mozzarella bites are so much more satisfying.

Now the best part of indulging on these Air Fryer Mozzarella Balls is that you do not have to feel the guilt. Since these are not deep-fried, they make a better catch. Air fryer makes these as crispy as the deep fried ones.

Why I love making Mozzarella Balls at home in Air fryer?

• Home-made Mozzarella Balls are easy and use only few ingredients. Whereas market bought frozen ones or restaurant ones either have tons of additives or bad re-used oil.
• The best part is that you can prep these in advance and freeze these. And then air fry as needed.
• Since these are air-fried, you can eat these guilt-free.
• You can use mozzarella sticks or mozzarella balls for these, as available.
• You can season these to your desire. Flavor these fried cheese balls simple or heavy.

What are the ingredients of Fried Mozzarella Balls?

To make Mozzarella Balls, you need only handful ingredients. Also, you can use the same ingredients to make Mozzarella Sticks.

Mozzarella Balls – Although I normally buy the box of seasoned mozzarella balls from Costco, but you can pick these up from your local grocery store as well. And if you can not find any, then you can use mozzarella sticks cut into 3-4 pieces.

All Purpose Flour – It helps locking the mozzarella balls in its shell and help air frying without leaking or exploding.

Cornflour – Mixed with all purpose flour, cornflour makes a secure coating.

Panko Breadcrumbs – These breadcrumbs add the required crispiness to the mozzarella balls. Although I use the panko ones, but you can use any kind of breadcrumbs that you like.

Italian Seasoning – Adds subtle flavor to the fried cheese balls.

Salt & Black Pepper

Eggs

Recipe Making Kitchen Gadgets

Air fryer

Air fryer Parchment Paper

Mixing Bowls

Egg Whisk

Small Kitchen Tongs

Plate

How to make Air Fried Mozzarella Cheese Balls at home?

Watch the attached video for better understanding. This is an easy recipe to follow with few steps.

Prepare the Mozzarella Cheese

If you are using mozzarella balls, then separate them. If you plan to use mozzarella sticks, then cut each mozzarella stick into 3 equal parts.

Drench, Dip & Coat the Mozzarella Balls for air frying

• Take 3 Mixing Bowls.
• In one bowl, add All Purpose Flour + Cornflour and mix well. In the second bowl, add 2 eggs and whisk well till they are mixed. Further in the third bowl, add Panko Breadcrumbs + Italian Seasoning + Salt & Black Pepper. Mix well.
• LINE THE BOWLS UP – Now set these 3 bowls with the respective ingredients in an assembly line in this order – Flour Bowl then Whisked Eggs Bowl and then Breadcrumbs Bowl.
• FIRST COATING STEP – Further pick 1 mozzarella ball with a Small Kitchen Tong and then drench it completely from all the sides in the flour mix. Now dip this flour coated mozzarella ball in the ehisked eggs and coat from all the sides. Pick these with tongs and then place these in the breadcrumbs bowl. Roll & Press it in the breadcrumb tightly and coat from all the sides. Set it on a plate lined with parchemnt paper. Finish all the Mozzarella Balls Likewise.
• SECOND COATING STEP – Now is the time for second coating. This is important to seal the cheese inside properly. For the second coating you need Egg Bath and Breadcrumb coating. Pick the coated mozzarella ball and dip in egg bath and then roll it toghtly again in the breadcrumbs. Use hands to seal the crumbs tightly. WATCH THE VIDEO.

Freeze the prepared Mozzarella Balls before Air-frying

Once you finish preparing all the mozzarella balls, plate them up and then put the plate in freezer for 15-20 minutes.

Air frying Mozzarella Balls

• Preheat the airfryer. I use Instant Vortex Air fryer and it requires pre-heating. I recommend it for even cooking.
• Further take out the air fryer basket and line it with air fryer parchment paper. Now place the frozen mozzarella bites on the parchment paper. Place these little spaced out. Depending upon the size of your airfryer, you might have to do 2 batches.
• Spray these with Olive Oil Spray. Or coat them gently with pastry brush with olive oil.
• AIR FRY at 350*F for about 5-8 minutes. The time can vary depending upon your airfryer brand. Flip the mozzarella balls gently in between. for even cooking.
• Once browned nicely from all the sides, these are done. If you see a few of them leaking cheese, it is normal. You can still pick these up and gobble. Kids won’t leave anything behind, I promise.

Serving Suggestion

Serve these hot alongside warm Marinara Sauce.

PRO-TIPS to make Crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Bites

• Do not skip pre-heating the airfryer. This helps with even cooking and crisping up the panko breadcrumbs coating properly.
• Do not skip the SECOND COATING in Egg bath and then Pressing into the breadcrumbs. This seals the mozzarella balls inside properly and reduces the chances of exploding while air-frying.
• Also FREEZING these before ai-frying is a very important step. Do not skip this step.This step is actually fabulous because you can airfry the quantity you want after freezing. You can make a large batch of it and take out few at a time to air fry.
• You can use either Mozzarella Balls or Mozzarella Sticks (cut into 3 pieces) for this recipe. Even the low fat cheese would work with the same recipe.
• Use the Olive Oil Spray and coat these cheese balls properly for browning them.
• Place them in a single layer and a little far from each other in the air-fryer basket.

STORAGE of leftover Mozzarella Balls

You can refrigerate the leftovers in an air tight container. These stay good for 2-3 days in the refrigerator.

REHEATING the cold Mozzarella Balls

Pre-heat the airfryer at 350*F and heat for 1-2 minutes till warm.

Can I freeze them?

Yes, you can freeze these cheese balls before you air fry them. Prep them as directed and then flash freeze them. Once the breading is frozen, place the frozen mozzarella balls in a freezer bag and freeze for 2-3 months.

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Crispy Air Fryer Mozzarella Balls Recipe

I hope you try this recipe. Please leave a feedback in comments section and rate the recipe.

Sonal