Description
To truly appreciate this iconic snack, it helps to understand what makes it work so well. A homemade mozzarella sticks recipe takes whole-milk or low-moisture mozzarella cheese batons and encases them in a double-layered breading system. The coating consists of refined flour, an egg wash binding agent, and seasoned breadcrumbs enriched with grated Parmesan cheese and aromatic Italian herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Mozzarella Sticks
- 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1½ cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For Serving
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- Fresh parsley or basil, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the coating:
Place the flour in one shallow bowl. In a second bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. In a third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. - Coat the cheese:
Dip each mozzarella stick into the flour, then the egg mixture, and finally the breadcrumb mixture. For extra-crispy sticks, dip them in the egg and breadcrumbs a second time. - Freeze:
Arrange the coated mozzarella sticks on a parchment-lined tray. Freeze for at least 1 hour, or until completely firm. This step helps prevent the cheese from melting too quickly during frying. - Heat the oil:
Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). - Fry:
Carefully fry the mozzarella sticks in small batches for about 1–2 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Don’t overcrowd the pan. - Drain:
Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. - Serve:
Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce for dipping. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.
Notes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Deep-Frying
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 mozzarella sticks
- Calories: ~290 kcal
Keywords: fried mozzarella sticks, homemade cheese sticks, fried cheese sticks