How do I make crispy homemade mozzarella sticks?

To make crispy homemade mozzarella sticks, start by thoroughly coating each piece of mozzarella with flour, egg, and a seasoned panko mixture. The secret is in the layers! Make sure each stick gets a double dip in the egg—this helps the panko adhere better. Freeze the coated sticks for at least 45 minutes before frying. This ensures they hold their shape and don’t melt too quickly in the hot oil.

What is the secret to perfect mozzarella sticks?

The secret to perfect mozzarella sticks is twofold: proper breading and freezing. Double-coat the sticks by dipping them in flour, egg, then panko twice to ensure a thick, crispy crust. Freezing them before frying is crucial—it prevents the cheese from oozing out before the breading crisps up. Keeping your oil at a consistent 350°F will also help achieve that golden-brown perfection without overcooking.

Do mozzarella sticks need to be frozen before frying?

Yes, freezing mozzarella sticks before frying is essential. It helps the breading firm up and adhere better, preventing the cheese from melting too fast in the hot oil. Skipping this step can lead to messy, leaky sticks. A quick 45-minute freeze should do the trick, ensuring your mozzarella sticks are crispy and intact when they come out of the fryer.

How do I get breading to stick to mozzarella sticks?

To get the breading to stick, use a double-dip method: first in flour, then egg, and finally in panko. Press the panko firmly onto the cheese! Make sure each layer is well-coated before moving to the next. The egg acts as a glue, so don’t skimp on it. Freezing the sticks after breading helps the layers firm up and stay in place during frying.

Crispy Homemade Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

Description

Crispy, gooey, melty, ultra-cheesy—the best mozzarella sticks are the ones you make at home! No special equipment or ingredients needed!

Ingredients

Scale

¾ cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons sea salt

½ teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 eggs

2 cups Panko breadcrumbs

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

12 ounces low moisture mozzarella cheese, cut into 3-inch x ¾ inch pieces (or 12 oz string cheese cut in half)

1 quart vegetable oil

Marinara sauce, for dipping

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2. In a small shallow bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

3. In a second bowl, beat eggs with 1 tablespoon of water.

4. In a third bowl, mix Panko breadcrumbs with Italian seasoning.

5. Dip each piece of cheese into the egg mixture, then the flour mixture, back into the egg, and finally into the Panko, pressing to adhere.

6. Place coated cheese sticks on the baking sheet and freeze for 45 minutes.

7. Heat oil in a large pot to 350°F.

8. Fry cheese sticks in small batches for about 2 minutes until golden brown.

9. Remove and place on a cooling rack. Serve immediately with marinara sauce.

Notes

Freezing the cheese sticks ensures they don’t fall apart when frying.

Serve with homemade marinara for an extra flavor kick.

Prep Time: 60
Cook Time: 10
Category: Appetizer
Method: Fried
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 sticks
Calories: 294 kcal
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 1261 mg
Fat: 16 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 29 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 22 g
Cholesterol: 92 mg