Crispy Baked Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

Who doesn’t love that moment when you pull apart a warm mozzarella stick and watch the cheese stretch like a rubber band? I’ve been making these as an afternoon snack for my family for years, and they always disappear faster than I can get them on the plate. Sure, you could buy the frozen ones from the store, but there’s something special about making them from scratch.

I learned pretty quickly that the trick to perfect mozzarella sticks isn’t just about the cheese – it’s all in the coating and temperature. After plenty of trial and error (and yes, quite a few cheese explosions in my oven), I’ve figured out how to get that restaurant-style crunch without the deep fryer. The best part? You can prep these ahead of time and keep them in the freezer, ready to pop in the oven whenever a cheese craving hits.

These baked mozzarella sticks have become my go-to for game days, movie nights, or just when we need a quick snack. Trust me, once you try making them at home, you’ll wonder why you ever bought the frozen ones.

What Kind of Mozzarella Should I Use?

String cheese is actually the perfect choice for this recipe, and here’s why: it’s already portioned into the right size and shape, plus it has that ideal melting consistency we’re looking for. Regular string cheese works great, but if you want to kick things up a notch, try the jalapeño-flavored variety for an extra zip. When shopping, look for whole milk mozzarella string cheese rather than low-fat versions, since it melts better and gives you that classic stretchy cheese pull we all love. Just make sure your cheese sticks are cold right from the fridge when you start breading them – this helps them hold their shape better during the coating process and prevents them from melting too quickly in the oven.

Options for Substitutions

Want to make these crispy mozzarella sticks but missing some ingredients? Here are some helpful swaps:

• String cheese: String cheese is really the best choice here, but you can cut regular mozzarella into sticks – just make sure to freeze them first so they hold their shape. Note that fresh mozzarella won’t work as it’s too wet.
• Bread crumbs and panko: If you’re out of regular bread crumbs, just use all panko instead. No panko? Crush some crackers or corn flakes really fine. Just keep in mind the coating might not be as light and crispy.
• Eggs: For an egg-free version, try using heavy cream or buttermilk. You might need to double-coat them to make sure the breading sticks well.
• Plain flour: Any all-purpose flour works here – whole wheat, gluten-free blend, or even cornstarch can do the job of creating that first dusty layer.
• Marinara sauce: No marinara? Pizza sauce, tomato sauce, or even ranch dressing work great for dipping. You can also mix some Italian herbs into plain tomato sauce as a quick fix.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest challenge when making baked mozzarella sticks is preventing the cheese from oozing out during baking – to avoid this, freeze the breaded cheese sticks for at least 2 hours or overnight before putting them in the oven. Another common mistake is not double-coating the cheese sticks; for the crispiest results, dip each stick in flour, then egg wash, then breadcrumbs, and repeat the egg and breadcrumb layers one more time. The secret to achieving that golden-brown crust without the cheese melting too quickly is to preheat your baking sheet in the oven, and then bake the frozen sticks at a high temperature (400°F) for a shorter time (about 8-10 minutes). For extra insurance against cheese leakage, make sure to seal the ends of each stick well with the breadcrumb mixture, and flip them halfway through baking for even browning.

What to Serve With Mozzarella Sticks?

These crispy mozzarella sticks are perfect as an appetizer or snack, and while they’re great on their own with marinara sauce, there are lots of fun ways to round out the meal! For a casual game day spread, I like to serve them alongside other finger foods like chicken wings, potato skins, or a plate of crispy french fries. If you’re making these for dinner, they pair really well with a fresh Caesar salad or a simple green salad to balance out the richness of the cheese. You can also set up a dipping station with different sauces – try ranch dressing, garlic aioli, or even a spicy arrabiata sauce alongside the classic marinara.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Once your mozzarella sticks have cooled down completely, place them in an airtight container lined with paper towels. They’ll stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days, though they’re definitely best enjoyed fresh and warm!

Make Ahead: Want to prep these in advance? You can bread the cheese sticks and freeze them uncooked! Just place them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid (about 2 hours), then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months – perfect for when the craving hits.

Warm Up: To get these crispy again, pop them in the oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes. If cooking from frozen, add an extra 3-4 minutes. Skip the microwave – it’ll make them rubbery and the cheese might explode! The marinara sauce can be warmed separately in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Preparation Time	20-40 minutes
Cooking Time	10-20 minutes
Total Time	30-60 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1300-1500
• Protein: 40-50 g
• Fat: 70-80 g
• Carbohydrates: 130-150 g

Ingredients

• 6 mozzarella or jalapeno string cheese sticks
• 1/4 cup plain flour
• 3 eggs
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 cup flavored bread crumbs
• 1 cup panko crumbs
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup warmed marinara or spaghetti sauce

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Sheet and Cheese Sticks

Start by lining a baking sheet with foil and lightly spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray.

Next, halve each cheese stick crosswise so they are shorter and easier to handle during the dredging process.

Step 2: Organize the Dredging Stations

Set up three shallow bowls: Place flour in the first bowl.

In the second bowl, beat together eggs and water until well combined.

In the third bowl, whisk seasoned bread crumbs, panko crumbs, melted butter, salt, and pepper.

Make sure all bowls are easily accessible for the dredging process.

Step 3: Dredge the Cheese Sticks

Begin the dredging process by rolling each cheese stick in the flour to coat it evenly.

Next, dip the cheese stick into the egg mixture.

Then, coat it with the breadcrumb mixture.

Repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating steps, making sure to press the breadcrumbs into the cheese stick.

Each stick should have five coatings in total (flour, egg, breadcrumbs, egg, breadcrumbs).

Step 4: Freeze the Dredged Cheese Sticks

Place the fully coated cheese sticks on the prepared baking sheet.

Cover them and freeze for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours, to ensure that they hold their shape and crisp up nicely when baked.

Step 5: Bake the Mozzarella Sticks

When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 415°F and position the oven rack in the middle.

Take the cheese sticks out of the freezer while the oven heats up.

Bake them for 10 to 20 minutes or until they are heated through, crispy, and golden brown, turning them halfway through the baking time to ensure even cooking.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Once baked, serve the mozzarella sticks hot with a side of marinara or spaghetti sauce for dipping.

Enjoy your delicious homemade mozzarella sticks!