If you drool over melted cheese, then deep-fry this dazzling classic as an enticing appetizer or savory snack.
While growing up, there were few favorite foods that my brothers and I agreed on. Most of the time, when Mom asked what we wanted for dinner, it created a huge debate, so eventually she stopped asking. But there was one finger food that she knew would please all of us—even Dad. And it was super easy to make as an appetizer to keep us happy instead of hangry.
As a crispy and classic dish, mozzarella sticks have been made for generations in American households and restaurants. While getting them pre-made and frozen has always been convenient, crafting them from scratch is even more rewarding. They’re freshly fried, golden brown, and buttery with a hint of garlic. What more could you ask for?
With a simple, savory breading and perfectly melted cheese, these homemade mozzarella sticks are the ideal appetizer or snack to curb your family’s appetite. Traditionally, they’re served with marinara sauce for dipping, but my loved ones and I have also grown fond of dipping them in Dijon mustard for a unique pop of earthy flavor. However you choose to dish it out, mozzarella sticks are bound to become a family favorite that everyone can agree on.
Frying vs. baking
As you can see, this recipe calls for deep-frying your breaded mozzarella sticks so that they become nice and crispy on the outside. The cheese melts inside, but as long as you don’t skip the freezing step, it stays packed in the breading until you take that first bite. It’s also possible to bake mozzarella sticks, but this will yield a slightly different texture—no oil leads to a drier consistency. If you’d like to try this method instead of deep-frying them, then I recommend freezing them for two hours before baking them in the oven at 400°F for eight to ten minutes.
How do I store leftovers?
Make sure your leftover mozzarella sticks cool to room temperature, and then transfer them to an airtight container or wrap them in aluminum foil. Refrigerate for up to 5 days. Otherwise, you can transfer them to a freezer-safe container and freeze for 1-2 months. To reheat, simply bake them from frozen in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes. Out of the fridge, they will likely take less time to reheat—5-7 minutes.
Similar recipes to try
If you’re craving golden brown mozzarella sticks with a satisfying crunch but can’t have all the carbs, then try Keto Mozzarella Cheese Sticks instead. They’re a great alternative! And if you’d like to whip up an appetizer spread for your next shindig, make your mozzarella sticks alongside Low-Carb Crispy Keto Chicken Wings, Air-Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, and Keto Stuffed Mushrooms. It’s amazing how a whole meal can come from a few fabulous finger foods.
Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 3/4 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 3/4 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pinch salt plus more to taste
- 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Fresh parsley or basil chopped (for optional garnish)
- Marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Place the flour in one shallow dish. In a second dish, beat the egg with milk. In a third dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan with dried Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt.
- Take each mozzarella stick and first dip it in the flour to lightly coat, then in the egg mixture, and finally in the seasoned panko breadcrumbs. For an extra crunchy coating, you may repeat the egg and breadcrumb dips one more time.
- Place the breaded sticks on a tray lined with parchment paper and freeze for at least one hour. Freezing helps keep the cheese from oozing out during frying.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or saucepan to 350°F. Fry the frozen mozzarella sticks in small batches for about 1 minute on each side until they are golden brown. Remove them onto paper towels to drain excess oil.
- If desired, sprinkle with fresh herbs for garnish. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
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