Mozzarella Sticks: a make-tonight method

Mozzarella sticks served with a side of marinara sauce.

This recipe for kitchen-made mozzarella sticks is cheese coated in seasoned breadcrumbs, then deep fried until golden brown and crunchy. A fun and straightforward appetizer option that’s even better than what you would get at a restaurant.

When I’m entertaining, I like to serve a variety of snacks such as baked chicken wings, bean dip, and these cheesy and melty mozzarella sticks.

When I see mozzarella sticks on a restaurant menu, I have to order them. I just can’t get enough of the silky cheese paired with the crunchy coating! I’ve since learned how to make this dish at home, and the results are nothing short of fabulous.

If you make mozzarella sticks, you can have a cheesy party platter with some of my go-to appetizer recipes like white queso dip, a jalapeno cheddar cheese ball or spinach artichoke dip.

Mozzarella Sticks Ingredients

You can make mozzarella sticks with string cheese, flour, Italian style breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, eggs, milk, oil, parsley and marinara sauce for dipping.

How Do You Make Mozzarella Sticks?

This mozzarella cheese sticks recipe starts with sticks of string cheese, which you cut in half. Next, put some flour in a small bowl. Get a second small bowl and place breadcrumbs, salt and pepper in it. In third bowl, put in eggs and milk and whisk them together. Dip each piece of cheese in flour, then coat them in the eggs mixture. Next coat the cheese in the breadcrumbs. Repeat the process by coating the cheese in a second layer of egg and bread crumbs. The double coating will prevent the cheese from spilling out during the frying process. Freeze the cheese sticks in a single layer on a baking sheet or other flat surface. Next, deep fry the mozzarella in hot oil until just golden brown. Serve immediately with marinara sauce or pizza sauce on the side for dipping.

Cheese in a bowl of seasoned breadcrumbs.

Tips For The Reliable Fried Cheese Sticks

If you don’t have Italian style breadcrumbs, you can use regular breadcrumbs with a teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning mixed in.
Be sure to use a frying thermometer to maintain the correct oil temperature. If the oil is too hot, the mozzarella sticks can burn. If the oil is too cold, the breadcrumb coating will absorb excess grease.
This recipe is finest when served immediately. However, you can store leftover mozzarella cheese sticks in the refrigerator. Reheat the sticks in a 400 degrees F until crunchy and warmed through.
I typically use vegetable oil for frying, although any neutral flavored oil will work such as peanut oil, canola oil or safflower oil.
Warm your marina sauce before serving it.

Quick Tip

You can use string cheese, or you can cut your own sticks of cheese from a block of mozzarella. I like to use string cheese because it ensures that the cheese sticks are all the same size and will cook at the same rate.

Recipe FAQs

What temperature do you cook cheese sticks at?

Mozzarella sticks cook at 350 degrees F for 2-3 minutes, until just golden brown. Be careful not to overcook your cheese sticks because you want to brown the exterior without having the interior completely melt and leak into the oil.

What are mozzarella sticks made of?

This classic appetizer consists of sticks of mozzarella cheese that are coated in seasoned Italian breadcrumbs, then deep fried until golden brown. Occasionally you will find cheese sticks with other types of coatings such as panko crumbs or a batter.

Do you have to freeze mozzarella sticks before frying?

You need to freeze the cheese sticks before you cook them. Do not skip this step or the cheese will leak out into the hot oil.

Why are my mozzarella sticks bursting?

Cheese sticks can burst if you don’t freeze them before frying, if they cook for too long, or if the oil is too hot.

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Flavor Variations

While this recipe is tasty as-is, you can substitute different ingredients to customize the flavors to your tastes.

Cheese: Mozzarella is a classic choice, but other types of cheese that melt well will also work, such as American cheese or pepper jack.
Coating: Try using half regular breadcrumbs and half panko breadcrumbs for an extra crunchy exterior.
Sauce: While marinara sauce is the most traditional dipping sauce, you can also serve ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, pizza sauce, chipotle mayo, remoulade or garlic aioli on the side.
Herbs: For a stronger herb flavor, you can add some extra oregano, garlic powder or dried basil to your breadcrumb mixture.

Once you try these kitchen-made mozzarella sticks, you’ll never need order them at a restaurant again!

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Mozzarella Sticks Video

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This recipe for mozzarella sticks is cheese coated in seasoned breadcrumbs, then deep fried until golden brown and crunchy. A fun and straightforward appetizer option that's even better than what you would get at a restaurant. Time Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Freezing Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 40 minutes

Course Appetizer
Cuisine Italian
Serves 16

Ingredients

16 string cheese cut in half crosswise
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups Italian style breadcrumbs
salt and pepper to taste
2 eggs
2 teaspoons milk
oil for frying
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 cup marinara sauce

Instructions

Place the flour in a small bowl. Place the breadcrumbs, salt and pepper in a second bowl and stir to combine.
Place the eggs and milk in a third bowl and beat until well mixed.
Dip each piece of cheese into flour, then into the egg, then the breadcrumbs, then the egg again, then the breadcrumbs again. Place each finished cheese stick on a sheet pan lined with parchment.
Repeat the process until all the cheese has been coated.
Freeze the cheese for at least 2 hours or until frozen solid.
Heat 3 inches of oil in a deep pot to 350 degrees F.
Place a few cheese sticks at a time into the oil. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until just golden brown.
Drain the cheese sticks on a paper towel. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with marinara sauce.

Notes

You can use string cheese, or you can cut your own sticks of cheese from a block of mozzarella. I like to use string cheese because it ensures that the cheese sticks are all the same size and will cook at the same rate.
If you don’t have Italian style breadcrumbs, you can use regular breadcrumbs with a teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning mixed in.
Be sure to use a frying thermometer to maintain the correct oil temperature. If the oil is too hot, the mozzarella sticks can burn. If the oil is too cold, the breadcrumb coating will absorb excess grease.
It is very important to freeze the cheese sticks before you cook them, otherwise the cheese may melt into the oil.