Crispy Mozzarella Sticks (Printable version)

Golden, crunchy coating with melting cheese inside. Perfect party appetizer served with marinara.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 14 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into ½ x 3-inch sticks

→ Breading

02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 2 tbsp milk
05 - 2 cups breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
06 - ½ tsp garlic powder
07 - ½ tsp dried Italian herbs
08 - ½ tsp salt
09 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ For Frying

10 - Vegetable oil, for deep frying

→ To Serve

11 - Marinara sauce, for dipping

# How to Prepare:

01 - Set up three shallow bowls: place flour in the first bowl. Whisk eggs with milk in the second bowl. Mix breadcrumbs with garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper in the third bowl.
02 - Dredge each mozzarella stick in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into egg mixture, then coat thoroughly in breadcrumbs. Repeat egg and breadcrumb steps to double-coat each stick for best results.
03 - Arrange coated sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for at least 1 hour or until firm. Freezing prevents cheese from leaking during frying.
04 - Pour vegetable oil into a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot. Heat to 350°F.
05 - Fry sticks in batches for 1–2 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crisp. Avoid overcrowding the pot.
06 - Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Perfectly Crispy: Using panko breadcrumbs ensures an extra crunchy coating that holds up to dipping.
  • Gooey Center: Freezing the sticks before frying guarantees that iconic cheese pull without any blowouts.
  • Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and clear steps, this recipe is accessible for cooks of all levels.
  • Crowd-Pleaser: A guaranteed hit at any gathering, loved by both kids and adults.
02 -
  • Double-Coat: For an extra-thick and durable crust that won't break during frying, repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating steps.
  • Don't Skip the Freeze: Freezing the sticks is essential to ensure the cheese melts perfectly without oozing out into the oil.
  • Fry in Batches: Do not overcrowd the pot. Frying in small batches keeps the oil temperature stable, resulting in evenly cooked, crispy sticks.
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