When I’m entertaining, I like to serve a variety of snacks such as baked chicken wings, bean dip, and these cheesy and melty mozzarella sticks.
Mozzarella Sticks Ingredients
You can make mozzarella sticks with string cheese, flour, Italian style breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, eggs, milk, oil, parsley and marinara sauce for dipping. If you make mozzarella sticks, you can have a cheesy party platter with some of my favorite appetizer recipes like white queso dip, a jalapeno cheddar cheese ball or spinach artichoke dip.
How Do You Make Mozzarella Sticks?
This mozzarella cheese sticks recipe starts with sticks of string cheese, which you cut in half. Next, put some flour in a small bowl. Get a second small bowl and place breadcrumbs, salt and pepper in it. In third bowl, put in eggs and milk and whisk them together. Dip each piece of cheese in flour, then coat them in the eggs mixture. Next coat the cheese in the breadcrumbs. Repeat the process by coating the cheese in a second layer of egg and bread crumbs. The double coating will prevent the cheese from spilling out during the frying process. Freeze the cheese sticks in a single layer on a baking sheet or other flat surface. Next, deep fry the mozzarella in hot oil until just golden brown. Serve immediately with marinara sauce or pizza sauce on the side for dipping.
Tips For The Perfect Fried Cheese Sticks
If you don’t have Italian style breadcrumbs, you can use regular breadcrumbs with a teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning mixed in. Be sure to use a frying thermometer to maintain the correct oil temperature. If the oil is too hot, the mozzarella sticks can burn. If the oil is too cold, the breadcrumb coating will absorb excess grease. This recipe is best when served immediately. However, you can store leftover mozzarella cheese sticks in the refrigerator. Reheat the sticks in a 400 degrees F until crispy and warmed through. I typically use vegetable oil for frying, although any neutral flavored oil will work such as peanut oil, canola oil or safflower oil. Warm your marina sauce before serving it.
Flavor Variations
While this recipe is delicious as-is, you can substitute different ingredients to customize the flavors to your tastes.
Cheese: Mozzarella is a classic choice, but other types of cheese that melt well will also work, such as American cheese or pepper jack. Coating: Try using half regular breadcrumbs and half panko breadcrumbs for an extra crispy exterior. Sauce: While marinara sauce is the most traditional dipping sauce, you can also serve ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, pizza sauce, chipotle mayo, remoulade or garlic aioli on the side. Herbs: For a stronger herb flavor, you can add some extra oregano, garlic powder or dried basil to your breadcrumb mixture.
Once you try these homemade mozzarella sticks, you’ll never need order them at a restaurant again!
Mozzarella Sticks Video
