Crispy Mozzarella Sticks (Print Version)

Golden, crunchy exterior with melty cheese inside. Classic appetizer ready in 25 minutes.

# 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

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Set up three shallow bowls: place flour in the first bowl, whisk eggs with milk in the second bowl, and mix breadcrumbs with garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper in the third bowl.
02 - Dredge each mozzarella stick in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into egg mixture, then coat thoroughly in breadcrumbs. Repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps to double-coat each stick for optimal coverage.
03 - Place coated sticks on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze for at least 1 hour or until firm to prevent cheese leakage 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. Avoid overcrowding the pot to maintain proper oil temperature.
06 - Remove sticks with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The double coating creates that irresistible crunch that shatters beautifully when you bite through
  • They freeze beautifully so you can have restaurant quality appetizers ready at a moments notice
02 -
  • The freezing step is what separates kitchen disasters from perfectly intact mozzarella sticks
  • Double coating them makes the breading substantially more resistant to cracking during frying
03 -
  • Use one hand for dry ingredients and one for wet to keep your fingers from becoming breaded
  • Avoid moving the sticks too much during the first 30 seconds of frying or the coating may slide off
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