Crispy Deep Fried Mozzarella Sticks

Here’s my go-to recipe for homemade mozzarella sticks, with a crispy golden coating, gooey melted cheese inside, and a simple three-step breading process that works every time.

These mozzarella sticks are what my kids beg for during movie nights at home. I usually make a double batch because they disappear so quickly. Nothing beats that cheese pull when you take your first bite, am I right?

What Kind of Mozzarella Should I Use?

For mozzarella sticks, you’ve got two great options that’ll give you that perfect stretchy cheese pull. Regular blocks of low-moisture mozzarella work well when cut into sticks, but many home cooks prefer using string cheese since it’s already perfectly portioned and has the ideal texture when melted. If you’re using block mozzarella, make sure it’s the firm, low-moisture kind from the dairy case – fresh mozzarella that comes in water is too soft and wet for this recipe. Just be sure to keep your cheese cold until you’re ready to bread it, as this helps prevent leaking during frying.

Options for Substitutions

While making these crispy cheese sticks, you’ve got some room to play around with ingredients:

• Mozzarella cheese: String cheese is perfect for this recipe, but you can also try other melting cheeses like provolone or monterey jack. Just keep in mind that mozzarella gives that classic stretchy pull we all love!
• Eggs: If you’re out of eggs, you can make a substitute with 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise mixed with 3 tablespoons of water per egg. Heavy cream also works as a binding agent.
• Italian-style bread crumbs: Regular bread crumbs work too – just add 1 teaspoon each of dried basil, oregano, and parsley. Panko bread crumbs can give an extra crispy coating, though they might not stick as well.
• Cornstarch: You can use all flour instead of the cornstarch/flour mix, but the cornstarch helps create a crispier coating. If you skip it, add an extra 1/4 cup of flour.
• Garlic salt: No garlic salt? Mix 1/2 teaspoon regular salt with 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder. You’ll get the same tasty result!

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Frying

The biggest challenge when making mozzarella sticks is preventing the cheese from oozing out during frying – the secret is to double-freeze your breaded cheese sticks for at least 2 hours before cooking, ensuring they’re completely solid. Another common mistake is not getting your oil temperature just right – too hot and the coating burns before the cheese melts, too cool and they’ll become greasy and soggy, so maintain a steady 350°F using a thermometer. To achieve that perfect golden-brown crust, don’t skip the double-coating process: dip in flour, then egg wash, then breadcrumbs, then repeat the egg and breadcrumb layers again. For best results, fry in small batches (4-5 sticks at a time) to maintain oil temperature and give them plenty of space to cook evenly, and always have your marinara sauce heated and ready to serve immediately – these beauties are best enjoyed while the cheese is still stretchy and hot.

What to Serve With Mozzarella Sticks?

Marinara sauce is the classic go-to for mozzarella sticks, but there are so many other tasty ways to serve these crispy cheese treats! A ranch dipping sauce is always popular, especially if you’re serving these at a party or game day gathering. For the main meal, these make an excellent starter alongside a fresh green salad dressed with Italian vinaigrette to balance out the richness of the cheese. You can also serve them with other fun finger foods like chicken wings, garlic knots, or potato wedges if you’re going for a full appetizer spread.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Already cooked mozzarella sticks can hang out in your fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Just know they won’t be quite as crispy as when they’re fresh out of the fryer, but they’re still good for a quick snack!

Make Ahead: Want to prep these ahead? Bread your mozzarella sticks and freeze them uncooked on a baking sheet until solid (about 2 hours). Then transfer them to a freezer bag where they’ll keep for up to 3 months. This is super handy for when you want just a few at a time!

Warm Up: To get your mozzarella sticks hot and melty again, pop them in the oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes. If cooking from frozen, add a few extra minutes. The air fryer works great too – just 3-4 minutes at 350°F will do the trick. Avoid the microwave though, as it’ll make them soggy.

Preparation Time	30-60 minutes
Cooking Time	5-10 minutes
Total Time	35-70 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

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

• Calories: 2200-2400
• Protein: 100-120 g
• Fat: 120-140 g
• Carbohydrates: 200-220 g

Ingredients

• 1 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced into sticks (or string cheese halved)
• 3 eggs, thoroughly beaten (with around 2 tablespoons of water)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 cup italian-style bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt

Step 1: Prepare Coating Mixtures

In a medium-sized bowl, mix together flour and cornstarch.

In a separate bowl, combine bread crumbs and garlic salt.

These will serve as the coating stations for your cheese sticks.

Step 2: Coat the Cheese Sticks

Take each cheese stick and first dip it into the beaten egg, making sure it’s fully coated.

Roll the stick in the flour mixture, ensuring an even coating.

Then, dip it back into the egg before rolling it in the bread crumb mixture.

Make sure each stick is well-covered with bread crumbs to prevent cheese from leaking during frying.

Step 3: Chill the Coated Cheese Sticks

After coating, place the cheese sticks on wax paper.

Allow them to chill in the refrigerator for about an hour.

Chilling helps the coating adhere better and ensures the cheese sticks hold their shape during frying.

Step 4: Fry the Cheese Sticks

Heat oil in a large pan or skillet to about 375 degrees Fahrenheit, or prepare a deep fryer.

Carefully fry the chilled cheese sticks in the hot oil until they turn a nice golden brown color.

This should only take a few minutes.

Be sure not to overcrowd the pan to maintain the oil temperature.

Step 5: Drain and Serve

Once fried, remove the cheese sticks from the oil and drain them on paper towels to absorb any excess oil.

Serve them hot with your choice of pizza sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.