Fried Mozzarella Sticks

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Make your own fried mozzarella sticks with this easy recipe! Try dipping them in marinara sauce or ranch dressing.

Mozzarella stick being pulled apart to show cheese.

We LOVE this fried mozzarella sticks recipe! Just when you think nothing can be better than fried cheese sticks, this recipe brings out so much flavor. The crisp coating is packed with seasonings and flavors. And the great thing is these are easier to make than they seem!

You can fry them in canola or vegetable oil, or even air fry them! When it comes to dipping, we love either dipping them in homemade ranch dressing or marinara sauce. These fried mozzarella sticks are going to be at your next party, get-together, holidays, and special occasions. They will be the hit at every event!

Ingredients in Fried Mozzarella Sticks

These fried mozzarella sticks are surprisingly easy to make and with very few ingredients! Just a few pantry staple ingredients can take string cheese sticks to the next level. It is always so fun to make and your friends and family will be raving about them!

String cheese sticks – String cheese cut in half is a perfect size for this recipe. Or you can use about a pound of mozzarella cheese cut into strips.
Eggs – Start with three, well beaten with about 2 tablespoons of water. You will want to put the eggs, flour, and breadcrumbs in shallow dishes so it’s easier to roll the cheese sticks in each ingredient.
Flour – Start with one cup of all-purpose flour, then add more if you need to cover the cheese sticks.
Bread crumbs – You can use Italian bread crumbs, or panko breadcrumbs and add some Italian seasoning to the panko crumbs for flavor.
Garlic – Use both garlic salt and garlic powder – Use about a teaspoon, give or take.
Parsley – Perfect for garnish if you like.

How to Make Fried Mozzarella Sticks

Homemade mozzarella sticks are a quick and easy snack or appetizer that everyone loves! It is bought at most sports bars and now you can make them right at home. See how simple this fried mozzarella stick recipe is to make when you are enjoying a game night!

Combine – Mix flour and cornstarch in a medium-sized bowl. Mix bread crumbs and garlic salt in a separate bowl.
Assemble – Dip each stick in egg mixture, then roll in flour. Dip in egg again then roll in bread crumbs. Place on wax paper and chill for about an hour.
Heat – In a large pan or skillet, heat the oil temperature to about 375 degrees (you can also use a deep fryer). Use a thermometer to know the temperature. Fry the fried chilled cheese sticks in batches of the oil until they turn a nice golden brown color.
Serve – Drain on paper towels. Serve with pizza sauce or ranch dressing.

Mozzarella stick being dipped in marinara sauce.

Why Deep Fry Fried Mozzarella Sticks

Let’s be honest, nothing really beats the taste and texture of a deep-fried mozzarella stick. However, deep frying in canola oil or vegetable oil may not be the best choice if you are in a hurry or if you are trying to watch things like monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, saturated fat, trans fat, or cholesterol. Here are some pros and cons for each preparation method!

Crispier – The mozzarella sticks are crispier, the coating stays on better, and the cheese doesn’t melt out of the crispy coating.
The healthy side – Deep frying in oil is just not healthy. The temperature of the oil can be dangerous if it splatters up on you while frying, even if using tongs. Also, cleanup is a pain with oil splattering everywhere.
Taste – In conclusion, deep frying is the best choice if you prefer your fried mozzarella sticks deep-fried and perfectly crispy, golden, and melty.
Clean up – Cleanup can be a bit of a hassle and deep fryers can be a pain to work with sometimes, but some might argue if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right!

Mozzarella stick being lowered into a deep fryer.

Cooking Fried Mozzarella Sticks in the Air Fryer

If you are looking for a healthier alternative to deep frying, air frying is the way to go! They don’t quite crisp up as nicely as deep frying but they still taste great and you still get the gooey cheese (which is the best part anyway).

Healthy – The Air Fryer is a healthier option, no oil is required. Cleanup is easier. In addition, the fried mozzarella sticks cook up in about 5 minutes. This is an excellent choice if you want a healthier alternative and are willing to sacrifice the true deep-fried texture.
Melted cheese – Contrary to those pretty pictures you see on Pinterest or Facebook, the coating isn’t quite as crispy as it is on fried mozzarella sticks. Also, the cheese can melt out of the crispy shell sometimes.

How To Make the Sticks Extra Crispy

This recipe is for a single coating because that is what most people will have time for, but if you want to make the extra effort to apply a second coating you will get much crispier sticks. The trick to the perfect outer crust is the freezing method!

After you dip each stick in egg, flour, and bread crumbs, lay the sticks on a baking sheet or cookie tray with parchment paper or wax paper and stick it in the freezer for about an hour.
Then, repeat the process one more time. This applies to any cooking method you decide to do (deep-fried or air-fried).
After freezing the first time, just dip in the egg batter and then the breadcrumb mixture once more and freeze again for about 40 minutes.

Baked Fried Mozzarella Sticks

Can you bake mozzarella sticks? Yes. Should it be done? Mmmmm I wouldn’t recommend it. The oven just doesn’t cook them fast enough. The cheese will melt before the coating will have time to crisp up and hold it all in. You will end up with a globby mess. I have learned this from experience. I have tried every possible way to make it work and it just doesn’t. If you want to make it healthier, opt for the air fryer method.

Steps for Fried Mozzarella Sticks In an Air Fryer

Making fried mozzarella sticks in an air fryer is the easiest way to go! It is fast, clean up is a breeze, and they are cooked in a healthy manner compared to deep frying. These fried mozzarella sticks taste amazing and have all the flavor you love!

Mix flour and cornstarch in a medium-sized bowl. Mix bread crumbs and garlic salt in a separate bowl.
When it is time to freeze, you will want to freeze them for at least 90 minutes.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
When the air fryer has preheated, spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray and add mozzarella sticks (don’t overcrowd).
Air fry for 5 minutes.
Store leftover fried mozzarella sticks in the refrigerator covered in aluminum foil.

Mozzarella stick being pulled apart to show long string of cheese.

Make It a Meal

We love dipping these fried mozzarella sticks in marinara sauce or ranch dressing. This is a great snack to make for a quick lunch for kids. I like to serve them with some raw veggies that they can dip in the ranch as well. They will get a healthy amount of calcium and protein in the cheese sticks. So it’s a rather healthy snack for your kiddos!

If you want to round these out to be part of a meal, add a salad on the side or serve them with some grilled chicken and veggies. To be honest, fried mozzarella sticks serve as a great appetizer with almost anything.

“There is such a DIFFERENCE in homemade mozzarella sticks than buying frozen! My boys are HUGE fans of this recipe. Thank you!”
-Jessica

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to make your own mozzarella sticks?

I tend to believe that making these at home and from scratch is the best option! It is great to know what ingredients you are putting into the fried mozzarella sticks. Also, the price is usually significantly less expensive to make your own, compared to purchasing them at a restaurant.

What is the difference between batter and breading?

The batter is more of a wet coating like an egg mixture that goes on and breading is a dry coating that is used on fried mozzarella sticks.

What other seasonings can you use for fried mozzarella sticks?

You can use fresh thyme, oregano, and basil for extra flavor. Or, consider using Italian seasoning to coat the outside of the mozzarella sticks.

Storing and Freezing Fried Mozzarella Sticks

These fried mozzarella sticks are perfect for making ahead, storing, and reheating! They go perfectly with any meal or are used as a snack and appetizer. These are the best kid food, party food, and side dishes yet!

Frozen – Once you have your fried mozzarella sticks place them in a plastic freezer bag. Store in the freezer for three months.
Storing – Place leftovers into an airtight container or in a plastic bag for storing in the refrigerator. These are best stored for three to four days.
Reheating – Cook the frozen mozzarella sticks according to the recipe card.

More Kid-Friendly Recipes

You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy fried mozzarella sticks, and you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy any of these other great recipes. But we’re pretty sure your kids will like them as much as you.

Oven Fried Chicken

Chicken Flautas

Homemade Calzone Recipe

Baked Potato Wedges

How To Make Fried Mozzarella Sticks