Description
Crispy, golden homemade mozzarella sticks with a flavorful seasoned breadcrumb coating, perfect for frying and dipping in a tangy marinara sauce. This classic appetizer is easy to make and ideal for sharing at parties or enjoying as a savory snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Breadcrumb Coating
- 1 ½ cups (106 g) plain Panko breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
Breading and Frying
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (63 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 lb whole milk mozzarella block or 15 whole milk string cheese
- Vegetable oil for frying
Dip
- Marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare the mozzarella: If using a block of mozzarella, cut it into sticks roughly 3 to 4 inches long and about ½ inch thick. If using string cheese, leave them whole or cut in half for smaller sticks.
- Mix the seasoned breadcrumbs: In a shallow dish, combine the Panko breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, dried parsley, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Stir well to distribute all the seasonings evenly.
- Set up the breading stations: Place the flour in one shallow bowl. In a second bowl, beat the two eggs until smooth. Keep the breadcrumb mixture in a third shallow bowl.
- Bread the mozzarella sticks: Working one at a time, roll each mozzarella stick in the flour until lightly coated. Then dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing excess egg to drip off. Finally, press it into the seasoned Panko mixture, ensuring a thick, even coating. For extra crunch and to prevent cheese leakage, repeat the egg and breadcrumb dip a second time on each stick.
- Freeze the coated sticks: Lay the breaded mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for at least 1 to 2 hours. This step is essential to keep the cheese from melting too quickly during frying.
- Heat the oil: In a deep heavy-bottomed pan or deep-fryer, heat about 2 to 3 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to maintain this temperature for even frying.
- Fry the mozzarella sticks: Fry the frozen sticks in batches for about 1 to 2 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan to keep the oil temperature steady. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Serve: Serve the mozzarella sticks hot with marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy immediately for the best gooey, melty texture inside and crisp outside.
Notes
- Freezing the breaded mozzarella sticks before frying is crucial to prevent the cheese from oozing out.
- Use whole milk mozzarella for a creamy melt; part-skim will be less creamy.
- You can prepare the breaded sticks ahead and freeze them for up to one month.
- For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mix for a slight kick.
- Leftover sticks can be reheated in an air fryer or oven to retain crispiness.
Keywords: homemade mozzarella sticks, fried cheese sticks, appetizer recipe, Italian appetizer, crispy cheese sticks, panko coated mozzarella