Freeze mozzarella sticks for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight) before breading to prevent cheese from leaking out during air frying and ensure a perfectly gooey center.

Dip breaded sticks back into the egg mixture and panko a second time for an extra-crispy, golden-brown exterior that stays crunchy even as the cheese melts inside.

Mix cornstarch with your panko (3:1 ratio) to create an incredibly crispy coating that absorbs less oil and delivers superior texture compared to panko alone.

Avoid cooking spray; instead, lightly brush the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking without creating soggy bottoms, allowing maximum crispiness on all sides.

Air fry at 380°F for exactly 7-8 minutes without shaking the basket—any movement disrupts the breading and causes cheese to escape from the sides.