Crispy Mozzarella Sticks (Printer-friendly)

Golden and crispy on the outside with melted cheesy goodness inside. Perfect with warm marinara for dipping.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 14 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into ½ x 3-inch sticks

→ Breading

02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 2 tbsp milk
05 - 2 cups breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
06 - ½ tsp garlic powder
07 - ½ tsp dried Italian herbs
08 - ½ tsp salt
09 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ For Frying

10 - Vegetable oil, for deep frying

→ To Serve

11 - Marinara sauce, for dipping

# How-To Steps:

01 - Place flour in one shallow bowl. In a second bowl, whisk eggs with milk. In a third bowl, mix breadcrumbs with garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
02 - Dredge each mozzarella stick in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into egg mixture, then coat thoroughly in breadcrumbs. For best results, repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps to double-coat each stick.
03 - Place coated sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for at least 1 hour, or until firm. This prevents cheese from leaking during frying.
04 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F.
05 - Fry mozzarella sticks in batches for 1–2 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crisp. Do not overcrowd the pot.
06 - Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce for dipping.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The crunch to cheese ratio is absolutely perfect when you double coat them
  • They freeze beautifully so you can fry them fresh whenever cravings hit
02 -
  • Skipping the freezing step is the number one mistake—your cheese will explode into the oil
  • Double coating makes the difference between restaurant-quality and home kitchen disappointment
03 -
  • Use one hand for wet ingredients and one for dry to keep the breading process clean
  • If cheese starts leaking during frying, your oil temperature dropped too low
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