Homemade Crispy Mozzarella Sticks with Marinara Dipping Sauce Recipe
These homemade mozzarella sticks are crispy on the outside and irresistibly gooey on the inside. Made with a seasoned breadcrumb coating and low moisture mozzarella cheese, they’re perfect for a cheesy appetizer or snack, served hot with your favorite marinara sauce.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings (4 pieces per serving)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Wet Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon water
Cheese
- 12 ounces low moisture mozzarella cheese, cut into 3-inch x ¾-inch pieces (or 12 oz string cheese cut in half)
Others
- 1 quart vegetable oil (for frying)
- Homemade marinara sauce, for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare Breading Stations: Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a small shallow bowl, combine the flour, sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon of water until smooth. In a third bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with Italian seasoning.
- Bread the Cheese Sticks: Working one cheese piece at a time, dip it first into the egg mixture, then coat it in the flour mixture, dip back into the egg mixture, and finally roll it thoroughly in the panko mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks well. Place the breaded cheese sticks in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Freeze the Cheese Sticks: Place the baking sheet with the breaded cheese sticks into the freezer for 45 minutes. This helps the coating adhere and prevents the cheese from melting too quickly while frying.
- Heat the Oil: In a large pot over medium-high heat, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F using a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the temperature precisely.
- Fry the Mozzarella Sticks: Remove the cheese sticks from the freezer. Working in small batches, carefully drop a few sticks into the hot oil. Fry for about 2 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown on all sides and crispy.
- Drain and Serve: Using a slotted spoon, remove the mozzarella sticks from the oil and place them on a metal cooling rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil. Repeat frying with remaining sticks. Serve immediately with homemade marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Freezing the breaded mozzarella sticks before frying is essential to prevent the cheese from leaking out.
- Use a thermometer to maintain the oil temperature at 350°F for perfect frying results.
- Work in small batches while frying to avoid overcrowding the pot, which can lower the oil temperature.
- For extra flavor, feel free to add more herbs or spices to the breadcrumb mixture.
