Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
Homemade Mozzarella Sticks are a crispy, cheesy treat that's perfect for snacking or sharing with friends. The outside is golden and crunchy from being perfectly breaded and fried, while the…
Tip: save now, cook later.Homemade Mozzarella Sticks are a crispy, cheesy treat that’s perfect for snacking or sharing with friends. The outside is golden and crunchy from being perfectly breaded and fried, while the inside holds gooey, melty mozzarella cheese that stretches with every bite. They’re just the right mix of crunchy and creamy that makes them hard to resist.
I love making these from scratch because you can get them extra crispy and customize the seasoning in the breading. Plus, there’s something really satisfying about dipping your own cheese sticks into marinara sauce. If you try to make them ahead, I recommend freezing the breaded sticks for a bit to help the cheese stay inside while frying — that tip always saves the day for me!
When I serve these, I like to bring out a few different dips, like marinara, ranch, or even a spicy sriracha mayo. They make a fantastic appetizer for game day or a fun snack for movie night. Whenever I make them, everyone gathers around the kitchen and can’t wait to grab one (or three!). Homemade mozzarella sticks always bring a little joy and a little mess, and somehow that just makes them taste even better.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Mozzarella Cheese: Fresh mozzarella that’s firm works best for these sticks. I use a block and cut it myself. If you can’t find block mozzarella, string cheese is an easy option. Just cut it in half for smaller bites.
Breading: Italian-style bread crumbs add flavor, but panko breadcrumbs give a lighter, crunchier texture. Either works! You can add extra seasoning like paprika or chili flakes for a personal twist.
Eggs and Flour: These help the breading stick well. For a dairy-free option, swap eggs with a mixture of ground flaxseed and water or unsweetened plant milk.
Oil for Frying: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable or canola oil. Avoid olive oil as it burns easily at high heat.
How Can You Keep Mozzarella Sticks From Melting Too Fast and Losing Their Shape?
Freezing! This is the key step I never skip:
- After breading the sticks, arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Freeze them for at least 1 hour before frying.
- This helps the cheese firm up so it won’t ooze out quickly when fried.
Also, double coating the sticks with egg and breadcrumbs helps create a thicker crust that holds the cheese inside better.
When frying, keep the oil hot enough (around 350°F) and fry quickly—about 1 to 2 minutes—to get crispy, golden breading without melting the cheese too much.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Deep fryer or heavy deep skillet – perfect for frying the sticks evenly and safely.
- Cooking thermometer – helps keep oil at the right temperature so cheese doesn’t leak out.
- Slotted spoon or spider strainer – easy to remove sticks from hot oil and drain excess oil.
- Baking sheet with parchment paper – keeps breaded sticks organized while freezing.
- Three shallow bowls – for flour, egg wash, and bread crumb coating to streamline breading.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Try pepper jack cheese for a spicy kick that melts just as well as mozzarella.
- Mix grated Parmesan into the bread crumbs for an extra cheesy, crispy crust.
- Sprinkle Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes in the breading for more flavor.
- Add finely chopped fresh herbs like basil or parsley to the bread crumbs to brighten the taste.
Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Mozzarella Sticks:
- 16 oz (450g) mozzarella cheese block or mozzarella sticks (string cheese)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk or water
- 2 cups Italian-style bread crumbs or panko bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning or dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Fresh parsley or dried parsley flakes (optional, for garnish)
- Marinara sauce, for serving
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 20 minutes to prep and bread the mozzarella sticks, plus at least 1 hour for freezing the breaded sticks before frying. Frying takes around 1 to 2 minutes per batch, so plan about 30 minutes total including frying and serving. Chilling the sticks helps keep the cheese from oozing out and makes frying much easier.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cheese Sticks:
If you have a block of mozzarella, cut it into sticks about 3 inches long and ½ inch thick. If using string cheese, simply unwrap and cut in half if you prefer smaller sticks.
2. Set Up Your Breading Stations:
Place the flour in one shallow bowl. In a second bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk (or water) until smooth. In a third bowl, mix the bread crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Bread the Mozzarella Sticks:
First, coat each cheese stick with flour, shaking off any extra. Dip it fully into the egg mixture, then roll it in the bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to stick. For extra crispy coating, repeat the egg dip and bread crumb coating once more.
4. Freeze the Breaded Sticks:
Put the breaded sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for at least 1 hour. This helps the cheese stay firm inside when frying.
5. Heat the Oil and Fry:
Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry a few sticks at a time without crowding until golden and crispy, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
6. Serve:
Sprinkle with fresh or dried parsley if you like, and serve immediately with warm marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy your delicious homemade mozzarella sticks!
Can I Use Frozen Mozzarella Sticks Instead of Fresh Cheese?
It’s best to use fresh mozzarella for homemade sticks to get that perfect melt and texture. However, if you use frozen sticks, make sure they are fully thawed and patted dry before breading to prevent sogginess.
How Should I Store Leftover Mozzarella Sticks?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat them in an air fryer or oven at 375°F for 5-7 minutes to keep them crispy.
Can I Bake Instead of Frying?
Yes! Preheat your oven to 400°F and bake the frozen breaded sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 10-12 minutes. Flip halfway through for even crisping. They won’t be quite as crispy as fried but still tasty.
What Can I Use If I Don’t Have Italian-Style Bread Crumbs?
Plain panko or regular bread crumbs work great, too. Add a pinch of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder to mimic that classic flavor.
