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Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Mozzarella Sticks: The Ultimate Snack Hack

Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup shredded cooked chicken rotisserie chicken works great!
  • ⅓ cup buffalo sauce adjust based on your spice tolerance
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 8 mozzarella string cheese sticks halved
  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1½ cups breadcrumbs Panko for extra crunch!
  • Cooking spray
  • Ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping optional, but highly recommended!

Instructions
 

  • Make the Buffalo Chicken Mixture
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, and shredded mozzarella. Mix until everything is evenly coated and the cheese acts as a bit of glue to hold things together. The goal is a mixture that’s flavorful and easy to mold around the cheese sticks.

Prep the Mozzarella Sticks

  • Grab your halved string cheese sticks. Take a small amount of the buffalo chicken mixture and wrap it around each piece of cheese, forming a log shape. Make sure the chicken mixture is snug and even. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect—the coating will help keep everything together.

Coat the Sticks

  • Now comes the fun (and slightly messy) part:
  • Roll each stick in flour, coating it lightly.
  • Dip it into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully covered.
  • Roll it in breadcrumbs, pressing gently so the crumbs stick well.
  • Pro Tip: For extra crunch, do a double coat. Dip it back into the egg and breadcrumbs for a thicker, crispier crust. Trust me, the extra crunch is worth it.

Chill Out

  • Place your coated sticks on a baking sheet and pop them in the freezer for about 20 minutes. This step helps everything hold together during cooking—trust me, it’s worth it. If you’ve got kids around, this is the perfect time to clean up the kitchen or set out dipping sauces.

Air Fry to Perfection

  • Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray and arrange the sticks in a single layer. Give them a light spray on top as well.
  • Cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re golden and crispy. Keep an eye on them to make sure the cheese doesn’t ooze out too much—though a little cheese escape is totally normal and kind of charming. Your kitchen will smell amazing by this point, so try to resist snacking before they’re done.