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Homemade mozzarella sticks served with marinara sauce

Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

Creamy, cheesy, and irresistibly crunchy—these Homemade Mozzarella Sticks are the ultimate comfort snack that disappears faster than you can say 'extra marinara.'
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Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Easy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

  • Deep Fryer
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper

Ingredients

Cheese

  • 16 oz Mozzarella cheese cut into 12 equal sticks (about 3/4-inch by 3-inch pieces)

Breading

  • 1 cup All-purpose flour for dredging
  • 3 large Eggs beaten until smooth
  • 1 cup Breadcrumbs plain or panko for extra crunch
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder mixed into breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning mixed into breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 tsp Salt mixed into breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper mixed into breadcrumbs

Oil

  • 4 cups Vegetable oil for deep frying (enough to submerge sticks)

Dipping Sauce

  • 1-2 cups Marinara sauce for serving

Instructions

  • Cut the mozzarella cheese into sticks. Trim the block into evenly sized sticks so they cook uniformly—aim for roughly 12 sticks.
  • Prepare three bowls: one with the all-purpose flour, one with the beaten eggs, and one with the breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir the breadcrumbs well so spices are evenly distributed.
  • Dip each cheese stick first into the flour, shaking off excess, then into the beaten eggs, and finally coat it thoroughly with the seasoned breadcrumbs. Press the breadcrumbs gently to help them adhere.
  • For extra security, for a double-coat: return the breaded stick to the egg, then coat again in breadcrumbs. This helps prevent cheese leakage during frying.
  • Place the coated cheese sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment and freeze them for at least 30 minutes (recommended 1 hour). Freezing is essential—cold cheese reduces melting during the quick fry.
  • Heat the oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to keep a steady temperature for even browning.
  • Fry the frozen mozzarella sticks in small batches so the oil temperature stays steady. Fry until golden brown, about 1–2 minutes per batch. Don’t overcrowd the pot.
  • Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. Let cool for a minute (they’ll be very hot) and serve immediately with marinara sauce.

Notes

Freeze before frying to prevent cheese from melting out. Use panko for extra crispiness and double-coat for leak protection.