Quick Beer Battered Mozzarella Sticks

Who doesn’t love mozzarella sticks? They’re that perfect snack that makes everyone at the table happy. I’ve been making these beer-battered ones at home for years, and they disappear faster than I can cook them. My kids hover around the kitchen, trying to snag them straight from the cooling rack.

But here’s the thing – you don’t need to wait for restaurant night to enjoy these cheesy treats. Making them at home is easier than you might think, and the beer batter gives them that extra crunch that store-bought versions just can’t match. Plus, you can control how gooey you want the cheese inside.

I like to prep a big batch on weekends when friends come over to watch sports, or when we’re having a casual movie night. Trust me, once you try these homemade ones, those frozen mozzarella sticks won’t cut it anymore.

What Kind of Mozzarella Should I Use?

For mozzarella sticks, you’ll want to use low-moisture mozzarella cheese rather than fresh mozzarella that comes in water. The block-style or pre-cut string cheese varieties work perfectly since they hold their shape better during frying and won’t release too much moisture into the batter. If you’re using a block of mozzarella, cut it into even sticks about ½ inch thick to ensure consistent cooking. Just make sure your cheese is very cold before coating and frying – this helps prevent premature melting and gives you that perfect stretchy pull when you bite into the finished sticks.

Options for Substitutions

Looking to make these crispy cheese sticks but need to switch things up? Here are some helpful substitutions:

• Dark beer: While beer gives the best flavor and texture, you can use club soda or sparkling water mixed with 1 tablespoon of honey for a non-alcoholic version. The carbonation helps create that light, crispy coating.
• All-purpose flour: Self-rising flour can work – just skip the baking powder and baking soda if you use it. For a gluten-free option, try rice flour or a gluten-free flour blend, but know the texture might be slightly different.
• Mozzarella sticks: String cheese works perfectly here, but you can also use block mozzarella cut into sticks. Just avoid fresh mozzarella – it’s too wet and won’t hold up during frying.
• Frying oil: Any neutral oil with a high smoke point works well – try vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. Avoid olive oil as it has too low of a smoke point for deep frying.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Frying

The biggest challenge when making beer-battered mozzarella sticks is preventing the cheese from oozing out during frying – the key is to freeze your mozzarella sticks for at least 2 hours before coating and frying them. Another common mistake is having your oil too hot or too cold – maintain a steady temperature between 350-375°F using a thermometer, as this ensures the batter gets golden brown while the cheese inside melts perfectly. To get that extra crispy coating, don’t skip the double-dipping process: dip each frozen stick in batter, let the excess drip off, then dip again before carefully placing in the oil. For the best texture, avoid overcrowding the pan – fry in small batches and keep the finished sticks warm in a 200°F oven while you complete the rest.

What to Serve With Mozzarella Sticks?

These crispy, cheesy mozzarella sticks are perfect for dipping, so let’s talk about some tasty ways to serve them! Marinara sauce is the classic choice, but ranch dressing and garlic aioli are also crowd favorites for dunking. Since these are pretty rich, I like to balance things out with some fresh veggies on the side – think celery and carrot sticks or a simple green salad with Italian dressing. If you’re serving these as part of a bigger spread, they go great with other appetizers like wings, potato skins, or jalapeño poppers for the perfect game day setup.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These beer battered mozzarella sticks are best enjoyed right after cooking when they’re hot and the cheese is perfectly melty. If you have leftovers, place them in an airtight container lined with paper towels and keep them in the fridge for up to 2 days, though they won’t be quite as crispy as fresh.

Make Ahead: Want to prep these ahead? You can bread the mozzarella sticks and freeze them unbattered and uncooked! Just place them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to cook, let them thaw slightly, batter, and fry.

Crisp Up: To bring back some crunch to leftover mozzarella sticks, pop them in the oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes, or use an air fryer at 350°F for 2-3 minutes. Keep a close eye on them to prevent the cheese from oozing out too much!

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	15-20 minutes
Total Time	90-100 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Medium

Estimated Nutrition

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

• Calories: 2400-2600
• Protein: 100-120 g
• Fat: 150-170 g
• Carbohydrates: 220-240 g

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups dark beer (12 ounces)
• 1 egg
• 1 pound mozzarella sticks
• Oil for frying

Step 1: Prepare the Batter

In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and dark beer.

Whisk these ingredients together until they form a smooth, consistent batter.

Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and let it rest for 1 hour.

This resting time allows the ingredients to fully blend and the flavors to meld.

Step 2: Add Egg to the Batter

After the batter has rested for an hour, crack an egg into the bowl.

Whisk the egg into the batter until it is thoroughly combined, resulting in a thicker, slightly bubbly mixture that will adhere well to the cheese sticks.

Step 3: Coat the Cheese Sticks

Take the cheese sticks and dip each one into the prepared batter.

Make sure each cheese stick is completely coated with batter.

This ensures a crispy, golden crust once fried.

Step 4: Fry the Cheese Sticks

Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until it reaches the right temperature for frying.

Carefully add a few battered cheese sticks into the hot oil at a time, ensuring they do not stick to the bottom of the pot or to each other.

Fry the cheese sticks for about 3 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once fried, remove the cheese sticks from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

Serve the crispy cheese sticks hot, with your favorite dipping sauces.

Enjoy your crunchy, flavorful snack!