Description

Enjoy crispy, golden homemade mozzarella sticks with a perfectly gooey cheese center. These mozzarella sticks are double-breaded for extra crunch and fried to perfection, but can also be baked or air fried for a lighter version. Perfect as a snack or appetizer served with marinara sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese

16 oz (450g) block of mozzarella cheese (whole milk preferred), cut into sticks about 3 ½ inches long and ½ inch thick (or use string cheese sticks as an alternative)

Dry Ingredients

1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
2 cups (200g) seasoned Italian breadcrumbs
1 cup (100g) panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon dried oregano or basil

Wet Ingredients

3 large eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

Prep the Cheese: Cut the mozzarella block into uniform sticks about 3 ½ inches long and ½ inch thick. Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour to ensure they hold their shape during cooking and to prevent excessive cheese melting.
Set Up the Breading Station: Prepare three shallow bowls: one with all-purpose flour, one with beaten eggs combined with milk, and one with a mixture of seasoned Italian breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
Bread the Mozzarella Sticks: Roll each frozen cheese stick first in flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip into the egg wash until fully coated. Next, roll in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Repeat the egg wash and breadcrumb step to create a double breading for better sealing and extra crispiness. Place breaded sticks back on the baking sheet and freeze for another 30 to 60 minutes before frying.
Fry the Mozzarella Sticks: Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a heavy pot or deep fryer. Fry the cheese sticks in small batches of 6 to 8 for 2–3 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove using a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve immediately with marinara sauce for dipping.
Baking or Air Fryer Option: For baking, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), place sticks on a parchment-lined tray, spray with cooking oil, and bake for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through. For air frying, preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C), spray the sticks with oil, and cook for 6–7 minutes, turning halfway to ensure even crisping.

Notes

Freezing the mozzarella sticks before breading and after breading is key to preventing cheese from melting out during frying.
Double breading helps achieve a thicker, crunchier coating that holds the cheese inside.
Use whole milk mozzarella for the best creamy texture and flavor.
If you want a lighter option, try baking or air frying instead of deep frying.
Serve hot with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce for best taste.
Be careful not to overcrowd the fryer to ensure even cooking.

Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Frying
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: mozzarella sticks, homemade mozzarella sticks, fried mozzarella sticks, cheesy appetizer, crispy cheese sticks, Italian snacks, party appetizers, finger food