Description
These homemade crispy mozzarella sticks are golden and crunchy on the outside with perfectly melted, stretchy cheese inside. Served with marinara sauce, they make an easy and crowd-pleasing appetizer, snack, or party treat.
Ingredients
- 12 mozzarella cheese sticks or string cheese sticks
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 1 cup marinara sauce, for serving
Instructions
- Place the mozzarella sticks on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare three bowls: one with flour and salt, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs mixed with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Coat each frozen mozzarella stick in the flour mixture.
- Dip each stick into the beaten eggs.
- Roll thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated.
- For extra crispiness, repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating one more time.
- Return the coated mozzarella sticks to the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or saucepan to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the mozzarella sticks in batches for 1–2 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.
Notes
- Freezing the cheese before frying prevents leaking.
- Panko breadcrumbs provide the crispiest texture.
- Double breading creates an extra crunchy coating.
- These mozzarella sticks can also be baked or air-fried.
- Freeze uncooked breaded sticks for up to 2 months.
- Use neutral oils like vegetable, sunflower, or canola oil for frying.
- Serve with marinara, ranch, garlic sauce, or spicy tomato sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 mozzarella sticks
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
