Mozzarella Sticks

Treat yourself to these homemade Mozzarella Sticks, which feature gooey melted cheese tucked inside a crisp coating and are fried to golden, crunchy perfection.

Prep Time15

Cook Time15

Freeze Time40

Total Time1 15

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: fried mozzarella sticks, how to make mozzarella sticks, mozzarella sticks, mozzarella sticks recipe

Servings: servings

Author: Katerina | Easy Weeknight Recipes

Ingredients

½ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 egg, beaten
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
16 ounces low moisture mozzarella cheese sticks, cut into pieces 3-inch x ¾ inch
2 to 3 cups vegetable oil, for frying
1 cup marinara sauce, for dipping
chopped fresh parsley, for garnish, optional

Instructions

Breading Station. Set up your breading station with three separate shallow dishes. In one dish, whisk together the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. The egg should go in the second dish, and in the third dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the Italian seasoning.
Prep the Cheese. Take a mozzarella stick and dredge it in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Dip the floured mozzarella into the beaten egg, ensuring it's fully coated. For an extra crispy crunch, repeat the process once more: coat the mozzarella stick again in the flour mixture and give it another dip in the beaten egg, ensuring it's fully coated.
Continue to Coat. Roll the double-dipped mozzarella stick in the seasoned panko breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere. Repeat the process with all the cheese sticks.
Freeze. Place the breaded mozzarella sticks on a tray or plate and arrange them neatly in a single layer. Transfer the tray to the freezer and let the mozzarella sticks chill for 30 to 40 minutes or until they are firm to the touch.
Prep the Oil. Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 375°F. Make sure there's enough oil to fully submerge the mozzarella sticks, and use a candy thermometer to check the temperature of the oil.
Cook. Carefully place the coated mozzarella sticks into the preheated oil, a few at a time, depending on the size of your pot. Do not overcrowd the pot. Fry them until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Be attentive, as they can brown quickly.
Drain. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the mozzarella sticks from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Serve. Transfer the fried mozzarella sticks to a serving platter and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot with lemon wedges and marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

Leftovers can be refrigerated for 3 to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

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