Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

Homemade mozzarella sticks are easy to make and taste so much better than store-bought! My recipe can be fried, baked, or air-fried right away, or you can freeze them for later. Recipe includes a how-to video!

No more grabbing a frozen bag from the grocery store…today we’re making homemade mozzarella sticks! You know I’m a huge advocate for making recipes from-scratch, but this really holds true with anything fried (like my donut holes or funnel cake). There’s just something about fresh, golden brown, still warm fried food–especially when it’s filled with cheese and dunked in marinara sauce (though my son dips his in ranch dressing, is that weird?)!

My mozzarella sticks recipe is simple, quick, and guarantees stellar cheese pulls. If you choose to fry your sticks and you’re new to frying, definitely take a look at the video below before getting started; I include lots of tops for frying success!

1. Whisk eggs and milk together.
2. Coat each piece of cheese with flour, then dip in egg and then roll in bread crumbs.
3. Dip in egg and crumbs again.
4. Freeze for 6 to 24 hours before frying.
5. Heat oil in skillet and cook sticks for about a minute on each side, or until golden and before cheese starts to leak.

Mozzarella Sticks

Prep: 0 30min0

Total: 0 2h40min0

Yield: 6 to 8 servings (makes about 56 pieces)

Serving Size: 1 of 8 servings

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 of 8 servings, calories 1133, Fat 91g, Saturated Fat 25g, Carbohydrate 38g, Fiber 6g, Sugar 14g, Protein 44g, Cholesterol 199mg, Sodium 1677mg

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups Italian-style dried breadcrumbs
• 1 1/3 cups freshly grated Parmesan
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 (16-ounce) blocks pasteurized mozzarella cut into 4 by 1/2-inch sticks
• 4 large eggs, beaten to blend
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 4 cups Marinara Sauce, recipe follows
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 small onions, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
• 2 (32 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
• 2 dried bay leaves

Instruction:

1. Stir the bread crumbs, 1 cup of Parmesan and 1 teaspoon of salt in a medium bowl to blend. Dip the cheese in the eggs to coat completely and allow the excess egg to drip back into the bowl. Coat the cheese in the bread crumb mixture, patting to adhere and coat completely. Place the cheese sticks on a baking sheet. Repeat dipping the cheese sticks in the egg and bread crumb mixture to coat a second time. Cover and freeze until frozen, about 2 hours and up to 2 days.
2. Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Working in batches, fry the cheese until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Transfer the fried cheese to plates. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and serve with the Marinara Sauce.
3. In a large casserole pot, heat the oil over a medium-high flame. Add the onions and garlic and saute until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the celery, carrots, and 1/2 teaspoon of each salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes and bay leaves, and simmer uncovered over low heat until the sauce thickens, about 1 hour. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Season the sauce with more salt and pepper, to taste. (The sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, then cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium heat before using.)

Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

Crispy, cheesy, and oh so savory, these homemade Mozzarella Sticks have a habit of disappearing quickly. Make a batch to keep in the freezer, or enjoy right away. Recipe includes options for baking and air frying.Be sure to check out the how-to video!

Prep: 25min

Total: 88min

Yield: 15

Serving Size: 1 mozzarella stick

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 mozzarella stick, calories 138 kcal, Carbohydrate 8 g, Protein 9 g, Fat 8 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Trans Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 46 mg, Sodium 281 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, unSaturated Fat 3 g

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups plain Panko ((106g))
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon table salt
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup all-purpose flour ((63g))
• 1 lb whole milk mozzarella block (or 15 whole milk string cheese)
• Vegetable oil (for frying)
• Marinara sauce

Instruction:

1. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Place panko crumbs in a Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin or mallet to crush until you have fine crumbs.’, ‘name’: ‘Place panko crumbs in a Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin or mallet to crush until you have fine crumbs.’, ‘url’: ‘https://sugarspunrun.com/mozzarella-sticks-recipe/#wprm-recipe-31137-step-0-0’}
2. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Pour crushed panko into a shallow dish and add Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, pepper, and salt and stir to combine.’, ‘name’: ‘Pour crushed panko into a shallow dish and add Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, pepper, and salt and stir to combine.’, ‘url’: ‘https://sugarspunrun.com/mozzarella-sticks-recipe/#wprm-recipe-31137-step-0-1’}
3. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘In a separate, shallow bowl, crack 2 large eggs and beat with a whisk or the tines of a fork until scrambled.’, ‘name’: ‘In a separate, shallow bowl, crack 2 large eggs and beat with a whisk or the tines of a fork until scrambled.’, ‘url’: ‘https://sugarspunrun.com/mozzarella-sticks-recipe/#wprm-recipe-31137-step-0-2’}
4. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Pour all-purpose flour in yet another shallow bowl.’, ‘name’: ‘Pour all-purpose flour in yet another shallow bowl.’, ‘url’: ‘https://sugarspunrun.com/mozzarella-sticks-recipe/#wprm-recipe-31137-step-0-3’}
5. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘If using a mozzarella block, cut widthwise into 15 sticks.’, ‘name’: ‘If using a mozzarella block, cut widthwise into 15 sticks.’, ‘url’: ‘https://sugarspunrun.com/mozzarella-sticks-recipe/#wprm-recipe-31137-step-0-4’}
6. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Working with one at a time, dip the stick in the flour and shake off any excess flour. Then dip in the beaten egg and let any excess drip off. Finally, dip in panko crumb mixture, making sure the entire cheese stick is coated with panko.’, ‘name’: ‘Working with one at a time, dip the stick in the flour and shake off any excess flour. Then dip in the beaten egg and let any excess drip off. Finally, dip in panko crumb mixture, making sure the entire cheese stick is coated with panko.’, ‘url’: ‘https://sugarspunrun.com/mozzarella-sticks-recipe/#wprm-recipe-31137-step-0-5’}
7. {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Place a wire cooking rack on a baking sheet and place breaded mozzarella sticks on rack. Once all sticks have been dipped, transfer to the freezer and chill for at least one hour. If you are chilling for longer than 1 hour, after 1 hour remove from freezer and place in an airtight container then return to freezer.’, ‘name’: ‘Place a wire cooking rack on a baking sheet and place breaded mozzarella sticks on rack. Once all sticks have been dipped, transfer to the freezer and chill for at least one hour. If you are chilling for longer than 1 hour, after 1 hour remove from freezer and place in an airtight container then return to freezer.’, ‘url’: ‘https://sugarspunrun.com/mozzarella-sticks-recipe/#wprm-recipe-31137-step-0-6’}
8. {‘@type’: ‘HowToSection’, ‘name’: ‘To Fry (please see notes section below for instructions for the oven or in the air fryer)’, ‘itemListElement’: [{‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘While sticks are still in the freezer, fill a medium-sized saucepan 3” deep with vegetable oil. Attach a thermometer to the side and make sure it is suspended about halfway into the oil (and that it is not touching the bottom of the pot). Heat oil over medium heat until you reach a temperature of 350F (175C) then remove sticks from freezer.’, ‘name’: ‘While sticks are still in the freezer, fill a medium-sized saucepan 3” deep with vegetable oil. Attach a thermometer to the side and make sure it is suspended about halfway into the oil (and that it is not touching the bottom of the pot). Heat oil over medium heat until you reach a temperature of 350F (175C) then remove sticks from freezer.’, ‘url’: ‘https://sugarspunrun.com/mozzarella-sticks-recipe/#wprm-recipe-31137-step-1-0’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Fry sticks, 2 at a time, until golden brown (about 1 minute) then remove to a paper towel-lined plate to cool. Make sure oil returns to temperature before frying next batch.’, ‘name’: ‘Fry sticks, 2 at a time, until golden brown (about 1 minute) then remove to a paper towel-lined plate to cool. Make sure oil returns to temperature before frying next batch.’, ‘url’: ‘https://sugarspunrun.com/mozzarella-sticks-recipe/#wprm-recipe-31137-step-1-1’}, {‘@type’: ‘HowToStep’, ‘text’: ‘Enjoy while still warm dipped in warmed marinara sauce.’, ‘name’: ‘Enjoy while still warm dipped in warmed marinara sauce.’, ‘url’: ‘https://sugarspunrun.com/mozzarella-sticks-recipe/#wprm-recipe-31137-step-1-2’}]}

Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

Hot and crispy homemade mozzarella sticks! This recipe makes a big batch of cheese sticks that can be frozen and fried in small batches whenever you get a craving. The mozzarella sticks are crispy on the outside with melted oozing cheese on the inside. They’re a must make for football season. You will need a thermometer that hooks on the side of the pan for this recipe, which I discuss in the post along with lots of other tips and tricks, so be sure to check it out!

Prep: 30min

Total: 40min

Yield: 33

Ingredients:

• 1 (16-oz) block low-moisture mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 6 eggs
• Vegetable oil, for frying (see note)

Instruction:

1. First, slice across the block of cheese so you have eleven 1/2″-inch thick slices. Cut each slice into thirds so you end up with 33 cheese sticks. See the photos and notes in the post for more tips on slicing the cheese.
2. In a shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, cheese, and garlic powder. In a seperate shallow bowl, beat the eggs with a fork until uniform in color. Using one hand for the eggs and the other hand for the breadcrumbs, dip a cheesestick in the eggs to coat it. Transfer it to the breadcrumbs and coat it evenly. Dip it again in the egg, coating it evenly, and then coat it again in the breadcrumbs. Place the breaded cheese stick on a sheet pan. Repeat with the rest of the cheese sticks. See the recipe notes section for more tips about the breading step.
3. Place the sheet pan in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes. This will allow the breading to firm up. While you wait, you can get the oil ready for frying.
4. I used a 3-quart pan to fry my mozzarella sticks (see note). Add enough oil to the pan so that the mozzarella sticks will be fully covered as they fry (about 24 ounces of oil). You can fry two to three sticks at a time with this set-up. If you want to fry more at a time you will need to use a bigger pan and more oil.
5. The ideal temperature to deep fry is between 350°F to 375°F. Use a thermometer to measure the temperature as it will fluctuate as you fry the sticks. Fry the mozzarella stick for 30 seconds to a minute or until the breading is golden brown and crispy. Transfer the sticks to a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb the excess oil.
6. Serve the mozzarella sticks with dipping sauce on the side.

MOZZARELLA STICKS 2 WAYS

FAQ

Should I freeze mozzarella sticks before frying?

Are mozzarella sticks just string cheese?

How to make mozzarella sticks without cheese coming out?