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Make your own fried mozzarella sticks with this easy recipe! Try dipping them in marinara sauce or ranch dressing.
“There is such a DIFFERENCE in homemade mozzarella sticks than buying frozen! My boys are HUGE fans of this recipe. Thank you!”
-Jessica
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 you think.
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
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.
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.
Air Fried Mozzarella Sticks
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).
A healthier option: 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.
Not as crispy: 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 Mozzarella Sticks in an Air Fryer
Making fried mozzarella sticks in an air fryer is an easy way to go! It is fast, clean up is a breeze, and they are cooked in a healthy manner compared to deep frying.
- 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 leftovers in the refrigerator covered in aluminum foil.
Dipping Sauce for Mozzarella Sticks
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is totally optional! This is a great way to get that extra crispy texture and the best way to make fried mozzarella sticks however, we know that it does take extra time, ingredients, and steps to make it happen.
I tend to believe that making it at home and from scratch is the best option! It is great to know what you are putting into the fried mozzarella sticks or any other recipe. The price is usually significantly less expensive to make fried mozzarella sticks at home compared to purchasing them at a restaurant.
The freezing method does help with this. It really holds them together and allows them to deep fry or air fry better. Otherwise, fried mozzarella cheese sticks may have some of the cheese melt out of the crispy crust or not be as firm when picked up to enjoy.
This would work if you are cooking the frozen fried mozzarella sticks. Heat oil in a frying pan and cook the fried mozzarella sticks by turning them and rotating them until the melty cheese is starting to appear.
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.
You can use fresh thyme, oregano, and basil for extra flavor. To add them all together consider using Italian seasoning for a dry mixture coating 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.
Fried Mozzarella Sticks
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound mozzarella cheese cut into strips (or string cheese cut in half)
- 3 eggs well beaten (with about 2 Tbsp water)
- 1 cup flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
Instructions
- Mix flour and cornstarch in a medium-sized bowl. Mix bread crumbs and garlic salt in a separate bowl.
- Dip each stick in egg, then roll in flour. Dip in egg again then roll in bread crumbs.
- Place on wax paper and chill for about an hour.
- In a large pan or skillet, heat oil to about 375 degrees (you can also use a deep fryer). Fry chilled cheese sticks in oil until they turn a nice golden brown color.
- Drain on paper towels. Serve with pizza sauce or ranch dressing.
This was amazing hugs and kisses from Sverige.
Can you air fry? And if yes ,how long and temp.
Hi Rebecca- we actually haven’t attempted to air fry this recipe. We will experiment with it and either update this recipe or link a new recipe! Thanks for the suggestion!
If using an air fryer, do not use flour or cornstarch and lower temp to 350F. Other than than the recipe is great!