Crispy Mozzarella Sticks (Printable)

Golden fried cheese sticks with crispy breadcrumb coating and warm marinara sauce.

# What You 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

# How To Make It:

01 - Place flour in one shallow bowl. Whisk eggs with milk in a second bowl. Combine breadcrumbs with garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper in a third bowl.
02 - Dredge each mozzarella stick in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into egg mixture, then coat thoroughly in breadcrumbs. Repeat egg and breadcrumb steps for double coating.
03 - Arrange coated sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for at least 1 hour or until firm to prevent cheese leakage during frying.
04 - Heat vegetable oil in 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.
06 - Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The golden crunch gives way to impossibly melty cheese in every bite
  • They come together faster than delivery arrives and taste infinitely better
  • Freezing ahead means youre always 10 minutes from party ready
02 -
  • Skip the freezing step and your cheese will escape into the oil creating a mess
  • Double coating in breadcrumbs is non negotiable for that satisfying crunch
  • Crowding the pan drops oil temperature and makes soggy sticks
03 -
  • Work quickly when coating the cheese to prevent it from warming up and becoming difficult to handle
  • Let fried mozzarella sticks rest for just 30 seconds before serving to set the crust
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