Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

Name: Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 100 min
Ingredients: ⅓ cup all-purpose flour; 3 large eggs; 2 Tablespoon water; 1 cup bread crumbs; 1 cup panko crumbs; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon pepper; 16 mozzarella string cheese sticks (cut in half)

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These Homemade Mozzarella Sticks are a crowd favorite food that can easily made at home. Crunchy on the outside and gooey cheese on the inside!

A FUN CHEESY APPETIZER RECIPE

I’m a huge appetizer fan and if it contains cheese – then even better! That is what makes these Homemade Mozzarella Sticks one of my favorite ever. Who can resist a fried cheese stick? We cannot get enough of these at home. We even have nights just dedicated to appetizers. A whole meal of just appetizers really is so much fun! If you have never made them at home, then you absolutely have to try my Homemade Mozzarella Stick recipe. It’s a guaranteed winner!

Hand dipping one Homemade Mozzarella Stick in sauce.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Do I have to freeze cheese sticks before frying them?

Yes, if you don’t freeze the mozzarella sticks before deep frying they are likely to leak out of the breading before it has a chance to brown.

How do you make mozzarella sticks in the air fryer?

Prepare mozzarella sticks as written below and put them in the freezer as instructed. When ready, preheat your air fryer to 390F for at least 5 minutes. Spray your air fryer basket with olive oil nonstick spray. Place mozzarella sticks in a single layer (you’ll have to do this in batches) and cook for about 5-8 minutes until you start to see some of the cheese bubble out of the sticks.

I don’t have string cheese, can I use a block of cheese?

Yes! That actually works fine. Just be sure to cut the cheese into uniform sized sticks.

Can you make mozzarella sticks without breading?

Yes. But you won’t fry it the traditional way and you won’t want to use mozzarella cheese. You’ll need a really sturdy cheese like bread cheese (sold at Trader Joe’s, Aldi’s or specialty stores that carry a variety of cheeses), provolone, paneer or halloumi cheese. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add a few tablespoons of your favorite frying oil. Slice cheese into chunks and add to the pan. You will flip the cheese over once the first side starts getting brown. Brown the second side then serve with your favorite sauce.

What dip to use for mozzarella sticks?

Marinara or pizza sauce are the traditional sauces to dip fried mozzarella cheese sticks. You could also use a vodka red sauce, alfredo sauce or really any of your favorite Italian sauces!

How do I store leftover mozzarella sticks?

These can be stored in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator where they will keep for up to 5 days. These can also be frozen, place cooled mozzarella sticks in a freezer container or bag and they will keep frozen for up to 2 months. Let defrost in the refrigerator overnight. To reheat, if you have an airfryer, this is the best way. Set the airfryer for 375 degrees and cook the mozzarella sticks for 4 minutes, turn them and cook for another 4 minutes. If you don’t have an airfryer, bake them in a 350F degree oven for 10 minutes or until hot and crispy.

Pinterest image of stacked Homemade Mozzarella Sticks on black plate with sauce.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

all-purpose flour
eggs
water
breadcrumbs
panko breadcrumbs
italian seasoning
salt
garlic powder
pepper
mozzarella string cheese
canola oil

Ingredients needed: all-purpose flour, eggs, water, bread crumbs, panko breadcrumbs, italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, pepper, mozzarella string cheeses and canola oil.

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE MOZZARELLA STICKS:

Place the flour in a bowl and set it aside. Whisk the eggs and water together in a small bowl. Set this next to the bowl of flour.

Mix the panko breadcrumbs, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and pepper in another small bowl and set this next to the bowl with the beaten eggs.

Panko, breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and pepper added to bowl.

Prepare a tray lined with parchment paper and set this next to the bowl with the bread crumb mixture. Use tongs to place each mozzarella stick into the flour mixture (cover completely).

Then dip it into the egg mixture.

Then completely cover it with the breadcrumb mixture. Set it onto the prepared tray.

Tongs dipping cheese in breadcrumb mixture.

When all of the mozzarella sticks have had one coat of breading we are going to give them a second coating. This time, flour is not needed. So again using the tongs, place each bread stick in the egg mixture.

Tongs dipping cheese back into breadcrumb mixture.

And then coat completely with the bread crumb mixture (sides and ends as well).

Again place these on the tray. Freeze the coated mozzarella sticks for at least 1 hour.

Heat the oil in a heavy skillet, or dutch oven, to a temperature of 325-350 degrees. (just pay attention to how quickly they are browning and adjust your temperature) Place a place lined with paper towels next to the deep frying station. Fry mozzarella sticks for a minute or 2 per side, or until golden brown. Do not crowd the pan as it will drop the temperature of the oil. Remove mozzarella sticks to the plate lined with paper towels.