Our love for mozzarella sticks runs deep. Whether served as an appetizer or a late-night snack, we’ll never say no to a satisfyingly cheesy stick with a side of marinara! Most of us reserve this crowd-pleasing appetizer for dining out, but learning to make homemade mozzarella sticks is fun and easy.
Even if you’re new to deep-frying, you can definitely master homemade fried mozzarella sticks (and these other junk food copycat recipes).
How to Make Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
This recipe makes 12 mozzarella sticks.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup flour
- 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1-1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 3/4 cup fine plain bread crumbs
- 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 4 eggs, beaten
- Marinara sauce or ranch dressing, for dipping
Tools You’ll Need
- Deep Fryer: This gorgeous All-Clad deep fryer comes complete with temperature control and a handy basket, making frying a breeze.
- Candy Thermometer: If your deep fryer doesn’t have temperature control, invest in a simple candy thermometer to ensure you’re frying at the proper temperature.
- Spider: Perfect for frying mozzarella sticks, old-fashioned doughnuts, wings and more, this basic tool is a must-have for anyone who loves to deep-fry.
Directions
Step 1: Cut cheese into sticks
Using a sharp knife, cut the cheese into sticks that are 3 to 4 inches long and 1/2 inch thick on all sides.
Editor’s Tip: You can also make mozzarella sticks with string cheese. No cutting required; they’re already the perfect size and shape. In testing, however, we found that cutting our own cheese sticks from a block yielded fried mozzarella sticks with a creamier, more gooey cheesy interior.
Step 2: Prep your breading station
Next, grab three shallow bowls and line them up in a row. In the first, whisk together the flour, salt and pepper. In the second, beat together 4 eggs, and in the third bowl, combine the bread crumbs, panko, garlic and Italian seasoning.
Step 3: Dredge, dip and coat
Working one cheese stick at a time, dredge the cheese through the flour to coat it on all sides (it helps the breading stick). Then, dunk it into the egg, making sure all sides (don’t forget the ends) are moistened. Finally, roll, press and coat the cheese stick in the bread crumb mixture.
Step 4: Double dip
You’re not done yet! Dip the bread crumb-coated cheese back into the egg for a second time, followed by another layer of the panko mixture. Press and mold the bread crumbs as you work, ensuring no cheese is left exposed. Place the breaded cheese onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, then repeat this process with the rest of the cheese sticks until all are evenly coated.
Editor’s Tip: Don’t skip the second dip! It’s our secret trick to making homemade mozzarella sticks with a perfect, crunchy coating that prevents any cheese from leaking out while frying.
Step 5: Chill
Transfer the sheet pan to the refrigerator and allow the cheese sticks to chill for 10 to 15 minutes.
Editor’s Tip: Chilling the mozzarella sticks before frying them gives the breading a chance to set. The egg hydrates the flour and bread crumbs, which will help create a tight seal around the cheese to further prevent any leakage during frying.
Step 6: Fry until golden
While the mozzarella sticks chill, fill a deep fryer to its fill line with canola or vegetable oil and preheat to 350°F.
Once the oil has come to frying temperature, carefully lower 2 to 3 mozzarella sticks into the oil. Take care to not overcrowd your fryer. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until golden brown on all sides. Turn (or shake if using a frying basket) and agitate the sticks as they cook to prevent sticking and to ensure all sides become evenly browned.
Editor’s Tip: If you don’t own a deep fryer, you can also fill a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven with 2 inches of oil.
Step 7: Serve
Remove the fried mozzarella sticks to a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm with a side of marinara sauce (or homemade ranch dressing). Enjoy!
Editor’s Tip: For a special finish, sprinkle the hot cheese sticks with finely grated Parmesan, truffle seasoning and freshly chopped basil.
Homemade Mozzarella Sticks FAQs
How do you keep the cheese from seeping out?
Nobody likes biting into a hollow cheese stick. To prevent this atrocity, follow our method of double-dipping each mozzarella stick in egg and bread crumbs before frying. Allowing the cheese sticks to rest in the refrigerator is a safeguard we highly suggest, too.
Can you store mozzarella sticks in the freezer?
Absolutely! For best results, fry the cheese sticks and let them cool completely on a wire rack. Then, arrange them in a single layer in a freezer-safe airtight container. Keep frozen for up to 3 months. To serve, transfer the frozen mozzarella sticks to a baking sheet. Bake in a 350° oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until heated through. For more freezing tips, check out our ultimate freezing food guide.
How do you reheat mozzarella sticks?
Leftover mozzarella sticks may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in an oven preheated to 350° for 8-10 minutes or until heated through.
Can you air-fry mozzarella sticks?
Yes! Check out this air-fryer mozzarella sticks recipe for our best tips and tricks.
What do you do with used frying oil?
When you’re done frying up these cheesy wonders, learn how to dispose of cooking oil.
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