Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

Make your own Mozzarella Sticks Recipe for entertaining, game day snacking or family movie night at home. They come out ooey gooey on the inside with a crispy seasoned exterior perfect for dipping in warm marinara or pizza sauce.

Ingredients to Make Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

Mozzarella sticks are the kind of snack food that’s popular for any occasion. Whether it’s dinner with friends or movie night with the family, these won’t last long. Ingredients to make Mozzarella Sticks: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Cheese – Sixteen 4-inch mozzarella cheese sticks (string cheese). (or cut a block of mozzarella into 4 inch sticks 1/2 inch thick)
• Flour – All purpose flour and cornstarch sifted with garlic salt and black pepper.
• Egg Wash – Two large eggs beaten with cold water.
• Breadcrumbs – Italian seasoned bread crumbs mixed with panko breadcrumbs form the crispy coating.
• Oil – Vegetable oil for frying.
• Garnish – Grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for garnishing.
• Serve – Warm pizza sauce, ranch dressing or marinara sauce for serving

What Kind of Oil is Best for Frying Cheese?

You can use vegetable oil, canola oil or peanut oil for frying cheese sticks.

How to Make the Best Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

• Prepare Pan – Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Set aside.
• Set-Up Dredging Station – 1st Dish: In a shallow dish whisk together flour, cornstarch, garlic salt and black pepper. 2nd Dish: In a second shallow dish whisk to combine eggs and water. 3rd Dish: In a third shallow dish whisk together Italian seasoned crumbs and panko.
• Coat Cheese Sticks – Dip cheese sticks first into egg mixture, then coat with seasoned flour mixture. Dip again in egg mixture, then coat with Italian bread crumb mixture. Press breading firmly onto cheese sticks for even coating.
• Freeze to Set the Breading – Place onto prepared baking sheet and pop into freezer for 1 hour or until firm.
• Heat Oil – Heat oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. (around 350°F)
• Deep Fry – Cook frozen cheese sticks in hot oil in batches per the recipe until golden brown.
• Serve – Serve mozzarella sticks immediately garnished with Parmesan cheese and parsley with a side of warm pizza sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.

Tips for Making Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

• Kitchen Tools You’ll Need: A large skillet for frying, fry thermometer to monitor the oil temperature, shallow bowls to set up a dredging station, a whisk, sheet pan lined with wax paper, a platter or sheet pan lined with paper towels for draining after frying, measuring cups and spoons.
• Freeze the Cheese Sticks: It’s important to allow time to freeze the cheese sticks prior to cooking. This will prevent them from melting too quickly and oozing out while frying.
• Make-Ahead Tip: You can fully assemble these cheese sticks and place onto a wax paper lined sheet pan to freeze for making at a later date. Fry them per the recipe from frozen when you need an appetizer in a hurry. They can be stored frozen for up to 3 months.
• How to Serve: Serve these while they’re hot with pizza sauce, marinara sauce or ranch dressing on the side for dipping.

Recipe Variations

• Breadcrumb Substitution: You can use plain breadcrumbs adding 1 tablespoon of dried Italian seasoning in place of Italian seasoned bread crumbs.
• Cheese Options: You can get creative and make other flavors of cheese sticks such as sharp cheddar cheese or colby jack cheese sticks. The process is the same, freeze the cheese prior to making and coat them with breadcrumbs per the recipe.
• Mozzarella Cheese: You can use string cheese for this recipe or cut a block of mozzarella into into 4- inch sticks 1/2-inch thick.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers: Store mozzarella sticks in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat cooked Mozzarella Sticks in the microwave in single servings, in an air fryer or on a sheet pan in a 375°F oven for several minutes or just until gooey and crisp.

How to Make Air Fried Mozzarella Sticks

How do you make Mozzarella Sticks in an Air Fryer:

• Spray the basket of an air fryer with cooking spray.
• Make the cheese sticks using the amounts called for in the recipe. Freeze for 1 hour.
• To Cook: Spray on all sides with cooking spray or using an oil mister.
• Arrange in the basket leaving enough room around each one for air to circulate.
• Air fry in batches at 375°F for 8-10 minutes stopping to turn halfway through cooking. Spray any dry spots with more cooking spray. Continue to cook just until crispy and golden.
• Serve immediately garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and Italian parsley with warm marinara sauce for dipping.

More Southern Style Appetizer Recipes to Make

• Southern Pimento Cheese can be served as an appetizer with celery sticks or crackers or slathered on sandwich bread.
• These Rueben Egg Rolls are a fusion of flavors that’s always a winner.
• These flavor filled Potato Skins are a must make for game day eats.
• Buffalo Chicken Bites uses wonton wrappers for the crust.
• These crescent roll Jalapeno Popper Puffs never last long.
• You can whip-up a batch of Restaurant Style Salsa in no time flat for dipping with tortilla chips.
• Goat Cheese Appetizer from Simply Joy.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Cutting Boards
• Measuring Set
• Kitchen Utensils
• Dutch Oven