Let’s be honest – mozzarella sticks are everyone’s favorite appetizer when eating out. But why wait for restaurant visits when you can make them at home? I discovered that using string cheese makes the whole process so much easier than cutting up blocks of mozzarella. Plus, it’s a fun cooking project that my kids love to help with.
I started making these on Friday movie nights, and now they’ve become our go-to snack. The best part? You probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen right now. Sure, you could grab a box of frozen mozzarella sticks from the store, but once you try these homemade ones, you’ll never go back. They’re crispy on the outside, perfectly melty on the inside, and taste just like the ones from your favorite restaurant.
Why You’ll Love These Mozzarella Sticks
- Budget-friendly ingredients – Using regular string cheese instead of fresh mozzarella makes this recipe super affordable while still giving you that amazing stretchy cheese pull everyone loves.
- Kid-friendly preparation – The simple breading process is perfect for getting kids involved in the kitchen – they can help coat the cheese sticks while learning basic cooking skills.
- Make-ahead friendly – You can bread these ahead of time and keep them frozen until you’re ready to fry, making them perfect for parties or unexpected guests.
- Restaurant-quality results – These homemade mozzarella sticks taste just like the ones from your favorite restaurant, but at a fraction of the cost.
What Kind of String Cheese Should I Use?
Regular mozzarella string cheese from the dairy aisle is perfect for this recipe – you’ll find it individually wrapped in most grocery stores. While part-skim mozzarella string cheese is the most common and works great here, whole milk varieties will give you an even meltier result. Just make sure you’re using actual string cheese (the kind you can pull apart in strands) rather than block mozzarella, since the stringy texture helps create that classic stretch when you bite into them. Keep your string cheese cold right up until you’re ready to bread them – this helps them hold their shape better during the breading process and prevents them from melting too quickly when frying.
Options for Substitutions
Looking to make these mozzarella sticks but missing some ingredients? Here are some helpful swaps you can try:
- String cheese: String cheese is really the best choice here since it’s perfectly portioned and melts well. But if needed, you can cut regular mozzarella into similar-sized sticks. Just make sure it’s low-moisture mozzarella to avoid excess water content.
- Italian breadcrumbs: Regular breadcrumbs work too – just add 1 teaspoon each of dried basil, oregano, and garlic powder. You can also use panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch, but make sure to season them the same way.
- Eggs: For a vegan version, try using 1/4 cup of plant-based milk mixed with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch as your wet coating.
- Marinara sauce: Any tomato-based pasta sauce works great for dipping. You could also try ranch dressing, garlic aioli, or even pizza sauce as alternatives.
- Fresh parsley: You can skip the parsley or use dried parsley (about 2 teaspoons). Dried basil or oregano work well too for that Italian flavor.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest challenge when making mozzarella sticks is preventing the cheese from oozing out during frying – double coating your sticks in breadcrumbs creates a secure barrier that keeps the cheese contained. Before you start the breading process, freezing the string cheese pieces for at least 2 hours is crucial, as room temperature cheese will melt too quickly and leak through the coating. When it comes to frying, maintaining the right oil temperature (350°F) is essential – if it’s too hot, the coating will burn before the cheese warms through, and if it’s too cool, the sticks will become greasy and the cheese will leak out. For the crispiest results, don’t overcrowd the pan (fry in batches of 4-5 sticks), and place the fried sticks on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil while keeping them warm in a low-temperature oven until serving.
What to Serve With Mozzarella Sticks?
While marinara sauce is the classic dipping companion for mozzarella sticks, there are lots of fun ways to round out this crowd-pleasing appetizer. A fresh green salad with Italian dressing helps balance out the richness of the fried cheese, and I like to add some pepperoncini peppers on the side for a tangy kick. For a casual game day spread, serve these alongside other finger foods like buffalo wings, celery and carrot sticks, or garlic knots. You can also switch things up by offering different dipping options – ranch dressing, pesto, or even a spicy arrabiata sauce work great with these crispy, cheesy bites.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Once cooked, mozzarella sticks are best enjoyed right away while the cheese is hot and stretchy. If you have leftovers, place them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 2 days – though they won’t be quite as crispy as when fresh.
Make Ahead: You can prep these ahead of time! Bread the 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 need a quick snack!
Warm Up: To enjoy frozen mozzarella sticks, fry them straight from the freezer – no need to thaw! For leftovers from the fridge, pop them in the oven at 350°F for about 5-10 minutes until heated through. The microwave works too, but they won’t be as crispy.
| Preparation Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Total Time | 150-180 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1200-1400
- Protein: 60-70 g
- Fat: 70-80 g
- Carbohydrates: 90-100 g
Ingredients
- 16 pieces of string cheese (halved crosswise)
- 1/3 cup plain flour
- 1 1/2 cups italian breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper as desired
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons milk
- Oil for frying
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 cup marinara sauce
Step 1: Prepare the Coating Ingredients
Start by placing the flour in a small bowl.
In a second bowl, combine breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper, stirring until the seasonings are evenly mixed with the breadcrumbs.
In a third bowl, add the eggs and milk, and beat them together until well mixed and smooth.
Step 2: Coat the Cheese Sticks
Take each piece of cheese and dip it into the flour to coat it lightly.
Then dip it into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s thoroughly coated.
Next, roll it in the breadcrumb mixture.
For a thicker coating, dip it again in the egg mixture and then into the breadcrumbs a second time.
Place each finished cheese stick on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
Repeat this process until all the cheese sticks are coated.
Step 3: Freeze the Cheese Sticks
Once all the cheese sticks are prepared, place the sheet pan in the freezer.
Freeze the cheese sticks for at least 2 hours or until they are frozen solid.
This ensures that the cheese won’t melt too quickly when frying.
Step 4: Fry the Cheese Sticks
Heat 3 inches of oil in a deep pot until it reaches 350 degrees F.
Carefully place a few frozen cheese sticks into the hot oil, avoiding overcrowding the pot.
Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese sticks turn golden brown.
Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil.
Step 5: Drain and Serve
Drain the fried cheese sticks on paper towels to remove any excess oil.
While they’re still warm, sprinkle them with chopped parsley for added flavor and color.
Serve hot with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
Enjoy your crispy, cheesy snack!