Golden Crispy Homemade Mozzarella Sticks Recipe for Cheese Lovers

Crispy, golden-brown mozzarella sticks crackle with delicious potential in this crowd-pleasing homemade mozzarella sticks recipe that’ll make everyone swoon.

Cheese lovers rejoice as melted, stretchy goodness meets a perfectly seasoned crisp coating.

Restaurant-quality snacks emerge straight from your kitchen with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

These addictive appetizers bring serious comfort and joy to any gathering or solo munching moment.

Each bite delivers a satisfying crunch that gives way to molten cheese perfection.

Simple ingredients and straightforward techniques guarantee success for cooks of all skill levels.

Let’s find out this irresistible recipe and transform your snack game forever.

Flavor Boosting Ideas and Tricks for Mozzarella Sticks

• Choose high-moisture mozzarella like part-skim varieties for best melting results. Block cheese works better than pre-shredded options which contain anti-caking agents preventing proper melting.
• Chilling mozzarella sticks before frying is crucial. Freeze them for at least one hour to prevent cheese from leaking during frying. Pro tip: Overnight freezing creates even crispier exterior.
• Maintain consistent 350°F oil temperature using a digital thermometer. Too low makes greasy sticks, while too high burns breading before cheese melts completely.
• Experiment with different breadcrumb types like seasoned Italian breadcrumbs, cornflake crumbs, or panko for unique texture variations. Add grated parmesan cheese to breading mix for extra flavor punch.
• Bake mozzarella sticks in preheated 400°F oven for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Spray with cooking spray for golden crispiness without deep-frying.

Fun Serving Suggestions for Fried Mozzarella Bites

• Dipping Delights: Pair these crispy mozzarella sticks with classic marinara sauce for a tangy punch of flavor.
• Party Platter Perfect: Arrange sticks on a large wooden board with small dipping bowls of ranch, marinara, and garlic aioli for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
• Game Day Companion: Serve alongside buffalo wings and cold beer for the ultimate sports viewing snack that keeps everyone happy and satisfied.
• Movie Night Magic: Create a fun finger food experience by placing sticks on a platter with colorful toothpicks and multiple sauce options for easy grabbing during movie time.

How to Store and Reheat Mozzarella Sticks Without Losing Crispiness

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice for Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
• Freezer Prep Magic: Assemble mozzarella sticks in advance and store them uncooked in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Chilled Storage Strategy: Keep cooked mozzarella sticks in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven at 375°F for maximum crispiness, avoiding microwave to maintain texture.
• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare multiple batches during weekend meal prep. Double the recipe and freeze uncooked sticks for quick weeknight appetizers or surprise game day snacks.
• Reheating Rescue Plan: Revive refrigerated mozzarella sticks by baking on a wire rack at 400°F for 8-10 minutes. This technique restores their original crispy exterior and gooey cheese center, making leftovers taste freshly made.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 28 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 16

What You’ll Need to Make Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

• Panko: Ultra-crispy Japanese breadcrumbs that create an irresistibly crunchy exterior with light, airy texture.
• All-Purpose Flour: Essential base layer that helps breading stick perfectly to cheese and creates smooth binding surface.
• Eggs: Crucial binding agent that helps breading adhere and creates golden, crispy coating.

• Table Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances other seasonings.
• Ground Black Pepper: Adds warm, subtle heat and depth to breading mixture.
• Garlic Powder: Delivers concentrated, aromatic garlic flavor without raw garlic texture.
• Dried Parsley: Introduces subtle herbal notes and beautiful green speckles in coating.
• Italian Seasoning: Provides classic Mediterranean herb blend with complex, robust flavor profile.

• Whole Milk Mozzarella Block or String Cheese: Creamy, melty cheese that creates perfect gooey center with smooth texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Neutral-flavored oil ideal for high-temperature frying, ensuring even, golden-brown exterior.
• Marinara Sauce: Classic dipping companion that complements cheese sticks with tangy, rich tomato flavor.

Kitchen Tools for Crispy Mozzarella Sticks at Home

• Rolling pin or mallet: Perfect for crushing panko crumbs into fine texture.
• Shallow dishes (3): Essential for flour, egg, and panko coating stations.
• Whisk or fork: Great for beating eggs until well combined.
• Wire cooking rack: Helps keep breaded mozzarella sticks crispy while chilling.
• Baking sheet: Supports the wire rack during freezing process.
• Medium saucepan: Used for deep frying the mozzarella sticks.
• Cooking thermometer: Ensures oil reaches exact 350°F for perfect frying.
• Paper towel-lined plate: Absorbs excess oil after frying.
• Tongs: Helpful for carefully handling and removing mozzarella sticks from hot oil.

Step-by-Step Mozzarella Stick Prep from Scratch

• Panko Preparation Crush the breadcrumbs into fine powdery texture using a rolling pin, creating a crunchy coating base.
• Seasoning Blend delicious herbs and spices into the crushed panko, creating a flavor explosion that will make taste buds dance.
• Egg Station Whisk eggs until smooth and silky, preparing the magical binding layer for our cheesy treat.
• Cheese Transformation Cut mozzarella into perfect finger-sized portions, ready for their crispy transformation.
• Coating Journey Carefully roll each cheese stick through flour, then egg wash, and finally cover completely with seasoned panko crumbs, ensuring every inch is deliciously protected.
• Freezer Timeout Place the prepared cheese sticks in the freezer for at least one hour, allowing them to become firm and maintain their shape during cooking.
• Frying Magic Heat oil to the perfect temperature, gently lowering the frozen cheese sticks into the golden liquid, watching them turn a beautiful golden brown in about one minute.
• Serving Delight Remove the crispy treats and let them rest on paper towels, then serve immediately with a side of tangy marinara sauce for dipping and pure enjoyment.

Crispy Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 28 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Crispy homemade mozzarella sticks showcase golden breaded cheese with irresistible marinara dipping sauce. Cheese lovers will savor these classic Italian-American appetizers that promise a delightful crunch and melty interior.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) whole milk mozzarella block or 15 whole milk string cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups plain panko
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• ½ tsp dried parsley
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ tsp table salt
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Marinara sauce for dipping

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Crumb Preparation: Crush panko breadcrumbs in a sealed bag using a rolling pin until finely textured, then mix with Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, black pepper, and kosher salt in a shallow container.
2. Egg Wash Setup: Whisk eggs in a separate shallow bowl until completely blended and uniform in color.
3. Flour Station: Prepare an all-purpose flour dish for initial coating process.
4. Cheese Preparation: Slice full-fat mozzarella block into 15 uniform rectangular sticks, ensuring consistent sizing.
5. Coating Technique: Systematically dredge each cheese stick through flour, shaking off excess, then thoroughly coat in egg mixture, allowing surplus liquid to drip away before rolling completely in seasoned breadcrumb mixture.
6. Chilling Phase: Arrange breaded mozzarella sticks on a wire cooling rack over baking sheets, then refrigerate for 60 minutes to stabilize breading and prevent cheese leakage during frying.
7. Oil Heating: Fill a medium saucepan with vegetable oil to 7.5 centimeters depth, using a cooking thermometer to monitor temperature until it precisely reaches 175°C (350°F).
8. Frying Process: Carefully lower chilled mozzarella sticks into hot oil in small batches, frying until exterior transforms to a golden-brown, crispy texture (approximately 60-90 seconds per batch).
9. Final Presentation: Drain fried mozzarella sticks on paper towel-lined plates to remove excess oil, allowing brief cooling before serving with warm marinara sauce for optimal taste and texture.

Notes

• Chill Before Frying: Refrigerate breaded mozzarella sticks for at least 1 hour to prevent cheese from melting too quickly and leaking during frying.
• Temperature Matters: Use a cooking thermometer to maintain oil at exactly 350°F for perfect golden-brown exterior and properly melted cheese inside.
• Coating Technique: Apply a triple-layer coating (flour, egg, breadcrumbs) to create a crispy, sturdy shell that seals in melted cheese.
• Batch Cooking: Fry only 2-3 sticks at a time to maintain consistent oil temperature and ensure even, crispy browning.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg