Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
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Homemade mozzarella sticks are easy to make and taste even better than frozen or takeout versions. Make these fried cheese sticks in 30 minutes!
Gooey, stretchy cheese coated in crispy, seasoned breading is the ultimate comfort food snack. Dunk homemade cheese sticks in your favorite sauce and you’re all set!
Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
All you need are cheese sticks, Italian breadcrumbs, and a handful of pantry staples to create the best mozzarella sticks right in your own kitchen.
Looking for more homemade versions of your favorite frozen appetizers? You can never go wrong with a big platter of buffalo wings!
Try some crispy eggrolls with a Southwestern twist, or combine two popular flavors to make jalapeno popper taquitos.
Tips for Making the Best Mozzarella Sticks
- Load up on flavor. Italian herb breadcrumbs come already seasoned, but you can always add more!
Or, combine 1 tablespoon dried Italian season with 1 cup of plain breadcrumbs to make your own. - Add some heat. A shake or two of dried red pepper flakes adds a kick to the breading.
- Watch the temperature. It’s crucial for the oil to be hot enough, or your fried Italian cheese sticks won’t get crispy and brown.
Also, allow the temperature to recover between batches so they cook evenly. - Don’t forget to drain! Place a wire rack inside a baking sheet to catch oil drips as your homemade mozzarella sticks cool.
Or, lay the sticks in a single layer on a large plate lined with a paper towel. - Feeding a crowd? Double or triple the recipe as needed, working in batches until all of them are fried. You can keep earlier batches warm in a low temp oven or serve them up as you go.
Serving Suggestions
You can’t go wrong with marinara or creamy ranch, so why not serve both? Add honey mustard for the perfect trio of sauce selections.
Pair these fried cheese sticks with more of your favorite party appetizers or enjoy them alone as a tasty snack! They also make a delicious side to a classic meal of spaghetti and meatballs.
Fried Cheese Sticks FAQ
You bet! Just be sure to slice each piece with equal length and thickness — this ensures they will cook evenly and all the way through.
Aim for about 1/2-inch thick and a few inches in length.
You’ll want to use separate hands while dredging to keep the ingredients on the cheese and off of your fingers!
Use one hand for dipping homemade cheese sticks in the flour and breadcrumb mixtures and the other for the egg wash. Then, work on one cheese stick at a time from start to finish.
Yes! These will keep for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat them in the oven at 375°F for about 5 minutes or until crispy.
You could also freeze Italian cheese sticks once they are cooked for future snacking! Once cooled, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour. Transfer to a zip top freezer bag and store for 3 months.
When a craving hits, pop them in the air fryer for a few minutes, flipping them halfway through.
Enjoy!
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Other Easy Appetizer Recipes
Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients
- Oil for frying
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 12 mozzarella cheese sticks
Instructions
- Add 2-3 inches of oil to a deep-frying pan or pot and heat it over medium heat or until it reaches 265 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In the meantime, add the flour to a shallow bowl then add the salt and pepper and stir to combine.
- In another shallow bowl, whisk the eggs and water together.
- Finally, in a separate shallow bowl, add the breadcrumbs.
- Dredge the cheese sticks one at a time in the flour then dip them in the egg mixture then coat them in the breadcrumbs and set them on a plate or cooling rack.
- Once the oil is ready, fry each of the cheese sticks in the oil for 2-3 minutes or until light and golden. Only add 3-4 cheese sticks at a time to not overcrowd the pan.
- Let them cool on a cooling rack or a plate fitted with a paper towel then serve with marinara sauce.
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published December 2021, updated and republished February 2023
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Hello Donna, Is the oil temp 265 a type O? That seems really cold. Thank you
Tony
I tried making mozzarella sticks before but they never turned out as well as these. These were so gooey and delicious, I barely got any before my family ate them all! More to be made soon!
Pretty hot if it’s degs C
Have you tried to make them with fresh mozzarella?
can I bake these on an oven safe crisping sheet🤔 as I don’t like frying foods