Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
User Reviews
4.9
Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
Description
Homemade Mozzarella Sticks are made by cutting mozzarella into sticks, then coating them in flour, egg, and a seasoned mixture of crushed panko breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, dried parsley, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. After coating, the sticks are frozen at least one hour to ensure the cheese stays firm during cooking, preventing excessive melting and leakage.
The recipe allows for frying in vegetable oil until golden and crispy, resulting in a crunchy exterior and warm, gooey cheese center. Optional baking or air fryer methods are described for a less oily alternative, producing golden sticks that are slightly less crispy but still enjoyable.
Serve these mozzarella sticks hot with marinara sauce for dipping. They make a popular appetizer or snack with a familiar cheesy texture and herb-seasoned crust.
The notes include tips for baking and air frying, recommending preheating and spraying with cooking spray to improve crispness and prevent sticking. Adjust cooking time depending on the method used.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs plain
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon parsley dried
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper ground
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- 2 egg large
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 lb mozzarella cheese or 15 whole milk string cheese, whole milk, block form
- vegetable oil for frying
- marinara sauce for dipping (click the link to make my homemade marinara)
Instructions
- Place panko crumbs in a Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin or mallet to crush until you have fine crumbs.
- Pour crushed panko into a shallow dish and add Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, pepper, and salt and stir to combine.
- In a separate, shallow bowl, crack 2 large eggs and beat with a whisk or the tines of a fork until scrambled.
- Pour all-purpose flour in yet another shallow bowl.
- If using a mozzarella block, cut widthwise into 15 sticks.
- Working with one at a time, dip the stick in the flour and shake off any excess flour. Then dip in the beaten egg and let any excess drip off. Finally, dip in panko crumb mixture, making sure the entire cheese stick is coated with panko.
- Place a wire cooking rack on a baking sheet and place breaded mozzarella sticks on rack. Once all sticks have been dipped, transfer to the freezer and chill for at least one hour. If you are chilling for longer than 1 hour, after 1 hour remove from freezer and place in an airtight container then return to freezer.
To Fry (please see notes section below for instructions for the oven or in the air fryer)
- While sticks are still in the freezer, fill a medium-sized saucepan 3” deep with vegetable oil. Attach a thermometer to the side and make sure it is suspended about halfway into the oil (and that it is not touching the bottom of the pot). Heat oil over medium heat until you reach a temperature of 350F (175C) then remove sticks from freezer.
- Fry sticks, 2 at a time, until golden brown (about 1 minute) then remove to a paper towel-lined plate to cool. Make sure oil returns to temperature before frying next batch.
- Enjoy while still warm dipped in warmed marinara sauce.
Notes
- To bake, preheat oven to 415°F, arrange coated sticks on sprayed foil-lined sheet, and bake 10-15 minutes until golden.
- For air fryer, heat to 390°F, spray basket and sticks with cooking spray, then cook 6-8 minutes, tossing halfway.
- Freezing the breaded sticks at least 1 hour before cooking helps keep the cheese from leaking out.
- Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 15mozzarella sticks
Amount Per Serving
Calories 138 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1mozzarella stick | |
| Calories | 138kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 8g | 3% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 46mg | 15% |
| Sodium | 281mg | 12% |
| Potassium | 50mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 238IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 169mg | 17% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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