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Air Fried Mozzarella Bites Recipe

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4.2 from 44 reviews

Crispy on the outside and ooey-gooey on the inside, these Air Fried Mozzarella Bites are a perfect snack or appetizer. Made by encasing small pieces of mozzarella string cheese in pizza dough and air frying until golden, they offer a delightful combination of melted cheese and crisp crust. Served with tangy marinara sauce, these bites are easy to make and crowd-pleasing.

Ingredients

Cheese

  • 6 part-skim mozzarella string cheese sticks
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Dough & Coating

  • 1 pound prepared pizza dough
  • ¼ cup butter (melted)
  • ⅓ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

Serving

  • Marinara sauce for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Mozzarella: Cut each mozzarella string cheese stick into 12 small pieces. Toss these cheese pieces with cornstarch to lightly coat them. Place the coated pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes to help the cheese hold its shape during cooking.
  2. Prepare the Dough: Divide the pizza dough into marble-sized pieces. Cover the pieces with plastic wrap or a towel to prevent drying out while working.
  3. Assemble the Bites: Working with 6 to 8 pieces at a time, take two dough pieces for each cheese piece. Sandwich each frozen cheese piece between two dough pieces by gently pressing them together and pinching the edges securely to seal. Form each into a small patty or disk.
  4. Coat with Butter and Parmesan: Brush each formed bite with melted butter generously, then sprinkle finely grated Parmesan cheese over the top for extra flavor and crispness.
  5. Air Fry the Bites: Place the mozzarella bites on the non-stick tray of your air fryer in a single layer. Air fry at approximately 350°F (175°C) for 5 to 6 minutes or until the dough turns golden and is cooked through. Remove carefully once done.
  6. Serve: Serve the warm mozzarella bites immediately with marinara sauce for dipping. Alternatively, keep them warm in an oven set to low heat for 10 to 15 minutes if serving later.
  7. Repeat and Freeze Option: Repeat the assembly and air frying process with all remaining bites. For storage, freeze any unused assembled mozzarella bites before cooking to enjoy later by air frying straight from frozen.

Notes

  • Freezing the cheese pieces before wrapping prevents the cheese from melting too quickly and leaking during cooking.
  • Use part-skim mozzarella string cheese to reduce fat while still achieving gooey centers.
  • The pizza dough can be store-bought or homemade; make sure it’s room temperature and pliable.
  • Brush with melted butter for extra browning and delicious flavor on the crust.
  • Parmesan adds a savory crunch, but can be omitted if desired.
  • Air fryer temperatures may vary; start checking for doneness at 5 minutes to avoid overcooking.
  • Serve with warm marinara to complement the cheesy bites for dipping.

Find it online: https://flavorspath.com/air-fried-mozzarella-bites-recipe/