Mozzarella Sticks (Printable)

Golden, crunchy coating wrapped around melty cheese. A beloved starter that pairs perfectly with marinara for any gathering.

# 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)
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

# Directions:

01 - Place flour in one shallow bowl. In a second bowl, whisk eggs with milk. In a third bowl, combine 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. Double-coat by repeating the egg and breadcrumb steps for extra crunch.
03 - Arrange coated sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for at least 1 hour until firm. This step prevents cheese from escaping during frying.
04 - Pour vegetable oil into a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot. Heat 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 oil temperature.
06 - Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The contrast between shatteringly crisp exterior and molten interior creates pure satisfaction in every bite
  • These come together quickly and can be prepped ahead, making you look like a kitchen hero without the stress
02 -
  • Skip the freezing step and your cheese will escape into the oil, creating a mess and leaving you with hollow, disappointing shells
  • Double-coating is the difference between homemade sticks that hold together and professional-quality ones that crunch satisfyingly
03 -
  • Keep one hand dry and one hand wet during breading, designating fingers for dry ingredients only to prevent your coatings from becoming clumpy
  • Let fried mozzarella sticks rest for just 30 seconds before serving, the filling stays incredibly hot while the exterior sets just enough to handle
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