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Crispy Buffalo Chicken Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer

Juicy chicken strips coated in crispy breadcrumbs, drenched in spicy buffalo sauce, and stuffed with gooey mozzarella cheese for the perfect game day appetizer or quick dinner.  
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb chicken tenders or chicken breasts cut into strips
  • 1 cup buffalo sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese sticks cut in half if large
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for spraying
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Ranch or blue cheese dressing optional for dipping

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the basket with olive oil to prevent sticking and ensure even crispiness on the chicken strips.
  2. Make the Coating Mixture: In a shallow bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until well combined. This flavorful mixture will create a crispy exterior on the chicken strips.
  3. Bread the Chicken: Dredge each chicken strip in flour first, ensuring it's fully coated. Then dip it into the beaten egg, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, coat it thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the coating adheres well to create a crispy crust.
  4. First Air Fry: Place the coated chicken strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece for proper air circulation. Overcrowding will result in uneven cooking.
  5. Cook Until Golden: Air fry for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking process, until the chicken is golden brown and crispy on all sides and fully cooked through.
  6. Prepare the Buffalo Sauce: While the chicken cooks, warm the buffalo sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat until it's hot but not boiling. The warm sauce will coat the chicken better than cold sauce.
  7. Buffalo Coat the Chicken: Once the chicken strips are done, dip each one into the buffalo sauce, coating them completely. Allow any excess sauce to drip off before moving to the next step.
  8. Stuff with Cheese: Carefully stuff each buffalo-coated chicken strip with a piece of mozzarella cheese. You can make a small slit in each strip to insert the cheese or wrap the chicken around the cheese.
  9. Second Air Fry: Return the stuffed chicken sticks to the air fryer and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes, until the cheese inside is melted and gooey, and the exterior is extra crispy.
  10. Serve Hot: Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately while the cheese is still hot and stretchy. Pair with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping to balance the spice of the buffalo sauce.

Notes

  • For extra crispiness, spray the coated chicken strips with a light coating of oil before the first air frying.
  • Make sure your chicken strips are similar in size for even cooking.
  • If you prefer a milder flavor, you can mix the buffalo sauce with melted butter at a 2:1 ratio.
  • The mozzarella cheese can be replaced with string cheese for easier handling.
  • These can be prepared ahead of time up to the first air frying, then refrigerated and finished just before serving.