Tasty Mozzarella Sticks with String Cheese

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. No more cutting perfect chunks of fresh mozzarella or dealing with fancy cheese shops.

I started making these on Friday movie nights with my family, and now they’ve become our go-to snack. The best part? They’re super straightforward to make, and you probably already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen. Plus, the kids love helping with the breading process (even though they make a bit of a mess).

Whether you’re planning a casual get-together or just craving a cheesy snack, these homemade mozzarella sticks hit the spot every time. And between you and me, they taste even better than the ones from your local restaurant.

What Kind of Mozzarella Should I Use?

While you can use regular blocks of mozzarella cut into strips, string cheese is actually the perfect choice for this recipe. String cheese is already portioned into the right size and shape, plus it has a texture that holds up really well when breaded and fried. If you’re using regular mozzarella, make sure to choose whole milk rather than part-skim, as it melts better and gives you that classic stretchy texture everyone loves. Just remember to keep your cheese cold until right before breading – this helps prevent it from melting too quickly during frying and leaking out of the breading.

Options for Substitutions

Let’s talk about what you can swap in this recipe while still getting those perfect, melty cheese sticks:

• Mozzarella cheese: String cheese is actually perfect for this recipe, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you can try using cheddar sticks or provolone. Just know that mozzarella gives you that classic stretchy pull that other cheeses might not match.
• 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, or crushed crackers in a pinch.
• All-purpose flour: Any type of flour works here – whole wheat, gluten-free blend, or even cornstarch. They all serve the same purpose of helping the egg wash stick.
• Vegetable oil: Any neutral oil with a high smoke point works great – try canola, peanut, or sunflower oil. Avoid olive oil as it’s not great for deep frying.
• Pizza/marinara sauce: You can use any tomato-based sauce you like – pasta sauce, arrabbiata, or even ranch dressing if you want to skip the tomatoes altogether.

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 cheese sticks in breading and freezing them for at least 2 hours before frying is essential for keeping them intact. A common mistake is frying at too high a temperature, which causes the breading to brown before the cheese gets warm and melty – keep your oil at a steady 350°F for the perfect golden-brown exterior and gooey center. Another crucial error is overcrowding the pan, which drops the oil temperature and leads to greasy, soggy mozzarella sticks – fry them in small batches of 4-5 pieces at a time for the crispiest results. For extra insurance against cheese leakage, make sure to seal any cracks in the breading and press the coating firmly around each cheese stick before freezing.

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 appetizer into a complete meal or snack spread. A crisp garden salad with Italian dressing helps balance out the richness of the fried cheese and makes this feel more like a proper meal. If you’re serving these as part of a game day spread, they go perfectly with other finger foods like chicken wings, potato skins, or a plate of fresh veggie sticks with ranch dip. For a casual Italian-American dinner, serve your mozzarella sticks alongside a bowl of pasta with marinara or a hot and bubbly pizza.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: Got leftover mozzarella sticks? Place them in an airtight container lined with paper towels and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. The paper towels help absorb any excess moisture and keep the breading from getting too soft.

Freeze: Here’s a great meal prep tip – freeze your mozzarella sticks before cooking! After breading, place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid (about 2 hours), then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months and you can cook them straight from frozen.

Crisp Up: To get that fresh-from-the-fryer taste back, pop your leftover mozzarella sticks in the oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes, or use an air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes. Skip the microwave – it’ll make them rubbery and soggy. Remember to serve them right away while the cheese is still gooey!

Preparation Time	20-30 minutes
Cooking Time	5-10 minutes
Total Time	25-40 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

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

• Calories: 2500-2800
• Protein: 80-100 g
• Fat: 180-200 g
• Carbohydrates: 240-260 g

Ingredients

For the coating:

• 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
• 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs (I use 4C brand)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp milk

For the mozzarella sticks:

• 1 cup pizza or marinara sauce (for dipping)
• 1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
• 1 lb mozzarella cheese (or string cheese, cut in half)

Step 1: Prepare the Egg Mixture

Begin by whisking together eggs and milk in a bowl until they are well combined.

This will serve as the base for coating the cheese sticks.

Step 2: Coat the Cheese Sticks

Take each piece of cheese and coat it thoroughly in flour.

Next, dip it into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s covered.

Roll the cheese stick in bread crumbs for an even coating.

For extra crispiness, dip it in the egg mixture once more, then roll in bread crumbs again to create a thicker breading.

Step 3: Freeze the Coated Cheese

Place the coated cheese sticks on a lined tray or plate.

Freeze them for a minimum of 6 hours and up to 24 hours before frying.

This step helps the coating adhere better and prevents the cheese from leaking out while frying.

Step 4: Fry the Cheese Sticks

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat until hot.

Carefully add the cheese sticks to the oil and cook them for about a minute on each side, or until they achieve a golden brown color and the cheese is just starting to soften, but not leak out.

Step 5: Drain and Serve

Once cooked, remove the cheese sticks from the skillet and place them on paper towels to drain any excess oil.

Serve them hot with your favorite sauce for dipping.

Enjoy your crispy and gooey cheese sticks!