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Homemade Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

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4 from 10 reviews

Crispy, cheesy, and irresistible, these homemade Mozzarella Sticks are a perfect appetizer or snack. Coated in seasoned panko and available to cook by frying, baking, or air frying, they can be served fresh or frozen for later enjoyment. Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping to complete this classic comfort treat.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 28 minutes (including chilling time)
  • Yield: 15 mozzarella sticks

Ingredients

Coating Mixture

  • 1 ½ cups (106 g) plain Panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon table salt

Breading and Cheese

  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup (63 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 lb whole milk mozzarella block or 15 whole milk string cheese sticks

For Frying

  • Vegetable oil for frying (about 3 inches deep in saucepan)

For Serving

  • Marinara sauce for dipping (homemade or store-bought)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Panko Mixture: Place the panko breadcrumbs in a Ziploc bag and crush them using a rolling pin or mallet until fine crumbs form. Transfer the crushed panko into a shallow dish and stir in Italian seasoning, dried parsley, garlic powder, ground black pepper, and salt until well combined.
  2. Set Up Breading Stations: In a separate shallow bowl, beat the 2 large eggs until scrambled. Place the all-purpose flour in another shallow bowl for dredging.
  3. Cut Cheese Sticks: If using a mozzarella block, slice it widthwise into 15 equal sticks. If using string cheese, use as is.
  4. Bread the Cheese: Working one stick at a time, dredge each in the flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the beaten eggs and allow excess to drip off. Finally, coat completely with the panko mixture, pressing the crumbs to adhere. Place breaded sticks on a wire rack over a baking sheet.
  5. Freeze the Sticks: Transfer the rack with coated mozzarella sticks to the freezer. Chill for at least 1 hour to firm up. For longer storage, after 1 hour, move sticks to an airtight container and keep frozen until ready to cook.
  6. Deep Fry Option: Heat vegetable oil about 3 inches deep in a medium saucepan to 350°F (175°C). Fry sticks two at a time from frozen, cooking about 1 minute until golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels. Ensure oil returns to temperature between batches.
  7. Bake Option: Preheat oven to 415°F (210°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray with cooking spray. Arrange sticks spaced apart, bake 10-15 minutes until edges start to brown. Serve warm.
  8. Air Fry Option: Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray and arrange sticks in a single layer. Spray sticks lightly with cooking spray and cook 6-8 minutes, shaking or turning halfway through until golden and crispy. Serve immediately.
  9. Serve: Enjoy the mozzarella sticks warm, dipped in your favorite marinara sauce for a delicious appetizer or snack.

Notes

  • Freezing the coated sticks before cooking is essential to prevent the cheese from melting out during frying or baking.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan or air fryer basket; fry or cook in small batches for even cooking and crispiness.
  • For a lower-fat option, use the baking or air frying methods instead of deep frying.
  • Use whole milk mozzarella for best melting and flavor.
  • Homemade marinara sauce enhances the dipping experience but store-bought varieties work well too.
  • Adjust seasoning in the panko mixture to your taste preferences for extra flavor variations.
  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 minutes (frying), 10-15 minutes (baking), 6-8 minutes (air frying)
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American, Italian

Find it online: https://cozykitchenbymaya.com/homemade-mozzarella-sticks-recipe/