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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.

homemade-mozzarella-sticks

Easy 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. How do you make Mozzarella Sticks: (Scroll down for full printable 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 Breading – Place onto prepared baking sheet and freeze 1 hour or until firm.
  • To Cook – Remove cheese sticks from freezer. Heat oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. (around 350°F)
  • Cook frozen cheese sticks in batches per the recipe until golden brown gently turning for even browning. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined platter.
  • Serve immediately garnished with Parmesan cheese and parsley with a side of warm pizza sauce for dipping.
how-do-you-make-mozzarella-cheese-sticks

How to Make the Best Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Mozzarella Sticks: 16 four inch mozzarella cheese sticks (i.e. string cheese), all purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic salt, black pepper, large eggs, Italian seasoned breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, vegetable oil for frying and warm marinara or pizza sauce for serving. You’ll also need chopped Italian parsley and grated Parmesan cheese for garnishing.
  • Kitchen gadgets you’ll need: A large skillet for frying, 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Store chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
easy-cheese-sticks-recipe

How to Make Air Fried Mozzarella Sticks

How to 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. Cook 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.
mozzarella-cheese-sticks

More Southern Style Appetizer Recipes to Make

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Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time2 minutes
Freeze time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 12 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian Inspired, Southern
Keyword: mozzarella-cheese-sticks, mozzarella-sticks-recipe
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 147kcal

Ingredients

  • 16 4 inch mozzarella cheese sticks (string cheese) (or cut a block of mozzarella into 4 inch sticks 1/2 inch thick)
  • 1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp garlic salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 large eggs beaten with 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • vegetable oil (3-4 cups) for frying
  • 1 cup warm pizza sauce or marinara sauce for serving

Instructions

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Place onto prepared baking sheet and freeze 1 hour or until firm.
  • Prepare: Remove cheese sticks from freezer. Heat oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. (around 350°F)
  • Cook frozen cheese sticks in batches for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown gently turning for even browning. Reduce heat to medium to prevent over browning. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined platter.
  • Serve immediately garnished with Parmesan cheese and parsley with a side of warm pizza sauce for dipping.

Notes

How to 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. Cook 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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 147kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 254mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 56IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

One Comment

  1. 5 stars
    I have a habit of not reading the recipe or instructions throughly. With that being said I mixed all ingredients together, I did double dip mixture, they turned out great!

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