These homemade mozzarella sticks are golden and crunchy outside, with a long, gooey cheese pull inside. Thanks to a double coating and a short freeze, the cheese does not leak, and they are ready to fry in about 15 minutes of hands-on time. Interestingly, fried cheese has a surprisingly long history. In fact, a recipe for fried cheese sticks appeared in the French household book Le Ménagier de Paris in 1393, while the modern version took off in the United States in the 1970s (Wikipedia).
Key Takeaways
- Freezing the breaded sticks for at least 1 hour prevents blowouts.
- A double coat of egg and crumbs creates a sturdy, crunchy shell.
- They can be fried, baked, or air fried.
Why Make Mozzarella Sticks at Home?
Admittedly, frozen store-bought sticks are often small and bland. By contrast, homemade ones are thicker, cheesier, and seasoned with Italian herbs. Moreover, you can make a big batch and freeze it for later.
Mozzarella Sticks Ingredients
- Mozzarella string cheese: Ideally, use low-moisture string cheese, since it holds its shape best.
- Flour: First, this coating helps the egg stick.
- Eggs: Then beat them with a splash of milk.
- Breadcrumbs: In addition, a mix of Italian breadcrumbs and panko gives the best crunch.
- Seasoning and oil: Finally, use garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and neutral oil for frying.
How to Make Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
The full recipe card is at the end of this post. In the meantime, here are the steps.
1. Set up a station. First, place flour, beaten egg, and seasoned crumbs in three shallow bowls.
2. Coat twice. Next, roll each cheese stick in flour, then egg, then crumbs. Then dip it again in egg and crumbs.
3. Freeze. After that, freeze the sticks on a tray for at least 1 hour.
4. Fry. Finally, fry in 350°F (175°C) oil for 1 to 2 minutes, until golden. Drain and serve with marinara.
Tips for Perfect Mozzarella Sticks
- Do not skip the freeze. Otherwise, the cheese melts before the crust crisps.
- Seal the ends. In particular, press crumbs firmly onto the ends to stop leaks.
- Watch the oil temperature. Otherwise, oil that is too cool makes them greasy, while oil that is too hot burns them.
- Fry in small batches. That way, the oil stays hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I air fry mozzarella sticks?
Yes. Simply spray the frozen sticks with oil and air fry at 390°F for 5 to 6 minutes, flipping once.
Why did my cheese leak?
Usually, the coating had gaps or the sticks were not frozen long enough. Therefore, double coat and freeze well.
Can I freeze them for later?
Absolutely. Freeze breaded sticks for up to 2 months, and then fry straight from frozen.
Final Thoughts
Overall, homemade mozzarella sticks are a fun, cheesy snack that beats any freezer box. Make a batch for your next game night.
For more party bites, try our caprese skewers or our cheesy stuffed mushrooms.
AuthorEmma food bloggerDifficultyIntermediateString cheese double-coated in seasoned crumbs, frozen, and fried until golden and gooey. Makes 12.
Coating
Sticks
Set up. Place the flour in one bowl, eggs beaten with milk in another, and breadcrumbs, panko, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a third.
First coat. Roll each cheese stick in flour, then egg, then crumbs.
Second coat. Dip again in egg and crumbs, pressing the crumbs firmly onto the ends.
Freeze. Freeze on a lined tray for at least 1 hour.
Fry. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry in small batches 1–2 minutes until golden. Drain and serve with marinara.
4 servings
3 sticks
- Amount per serving
- Calories595
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 35g45%
- Saturated Fat 13g65%
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 138mg46%
- Sodium 900mg40%
- Total Carbohydrate 37g14%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Total Sugars 3g
- Protein 27g
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Ingredients
Coating
Sticks
Sources
- Wikipedia, History of fried cheese sticks
