Crispy Air Fryer Bocconcini
If you love melty cheese with a crispy, golden coating, you need to try these crispy air fryer bocconcini! They’re crunchy on the outside, soft and gooey on the inside, and perfect for dipping into warm marinara sauce.
I love an appetizer that feels a little special but is surprisingly easy to make at home. These little bites are perfect for sharing, serving before dinner, or putting out for a family snack when everyone wants something delicious. Made in the air fryer, they get that irresistible crunch without needing to deep-fry them.
These crispy little bites are always best served warm, straight from the air fryer, when the coating is perfectly crunchy and the cheese is soft and melty. Serve them on a platter with marinara sauce in the middle for an easy appetizer everyone can gather around. Whether you’re making them for a family movie night, entertaining friends or simply craving something cheesy, these are sure to hit the spot.
Give my recipe a try and enjoy that cheese pull!
INGREDIENTS:
15 small bocconcini balls, drained and thoroughly patted dry
1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup of Panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
Warm marinara sauce, for serving (optional)
STEPS:
Prepare the breading station. Add the flour to a bowl. Beat the eggs in another bowl. In the third, combine the Panko breadcrumbs and Italian seasoning.
Roll each bocconcini ball in the flour, dip it into the beaten eggs, and coat it in the breadcrumb mixture. Dip it back into the egg and breadcrumbs for a second coating, pressing gently so the crumbs adhere. This extra layer helps keep the cheese from leaking out during cooking.
Place the coated bocconcini in a single layer in a lined air fryer basket, leaving space between each piece.
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
Air fry for approximately 5 minutes, keeping a close eye on them. Air fryer temperatures and cooking times vary, so check early and remove them as soon as the coating is golden and crisp, before the cheese starts leaking.
Carefully remove the bocconcini and serve hot with warm marinara sauce for dipping. They’re best enjoyed straight from the air fryer while the coating is crispy and the cheese is deliciously soft.
Enjoy that delicious cheese pull! Bon appétit!
*Tip: If your bocconcini balls pop open in the air fryer, freezing them for a few minutes before cooking them should help prevent that. Sometimes, starting with firm, frozen bocconcini gives the coating time to crisp up before the cheese melts.
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