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Why This Recipe Stands Out
We all love mozzarella sticks, but there’s something about homemade ones that makes them extra special. Here’s why this recipe works:- Restaurant Quality: These mozzarella sticks are just as good as what you’d get at your favorite restaurant, if not better!
- Extra Crispy: The panko breading gives these mozzarella sticks an extra crispy texture that we can’t get enough of, as it does in our Panko Breaded Pork Chops!
- Melted Cheese: Flash-freezing the cheese keeps it from falling apart in hot oil. The result is perfectly melted mozzarella in every bite.
- Perfect Finger Food: These mozzarella sticks are a guaranteed hit at any gathering. They’re one of the best party foods, just like our Extra Crispy Smashed Potatoes!
- Kids Love Them: The hubby and kids devour these. It’s one of our favorite appetizer recipes.
Key Recipe Ingredients
Amy Dong
- String Cheese—We use 16 mozzarella string cheese sticks for this recipe; you can also cut similar-sized sticks from a block of mozzarella cheese.
- Panko Bread Crumbs—Panko bread crumbs are the secret to achieving an extra crispy coating. They are lighter and flakier than regular bread crumbs, and they give our mozzarella sticks a satisfying crunch.
- Eggs and Milk—We use a mixture of beaten eggs and whole milk to help the bread crumbs adhere to the cheese sticks. This ensures that the coating stays on during frying, giving you that perfect crunch in every bite.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are our favorite substitutions and variations for delicious homemade mozzarella sticks:- Spices: You can play around with the spices in the breading. Try adding smoked paprika for a smoky flavor or cayenne pepper for some heat.
- Herbs: If you’re a fan of herbs, you can add some freshly chopped herbs to the breadcrumb mixture. We think basil would be delicious in these mozzarella sticks. If you love basil, try our Bruschetta Pasta.
- Gluten-Free: If you’re gluten-free, you can use gluten-free all-purpose flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
Mix eggs and milk in a bowl. In another bowl, combine panko with spices.
Amy Dong
Roll cut mozzarella sticks in flour, followed by egg mixture, and press on the panko mixture.
Amy Dong
Place mozzarella sticks in the freezer—this helps the exterior brown a bit slower, while allowing cheese to melt within!
Amy Dong
Cook frozen mozzarella sticks until golden brown. It’s fine if a bit of cheese escapes from the coating.
Amy Dong
How To Prep Ahead
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Take a look at our favorite prep ahead tips and strategies:
- Coat and Freeze: You can easily follow all the steps to coat the mozzarella sticks in flour, egg mixture, and panko breadcrumbs. Once coated, place them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper and store them in the freezer. Once they are frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer bag. This way, you can have a batch ready to fry at a moment’s notice.
- Make Ahead: The fully cooked mozzarella sticks can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply reheat them in the oven to restore their crispy texture. This makes them perfect for meal prepping or for making ahead for a party.
Amy Dong
What To Serve With Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
Sauces and Dips- Serve your mozzarella sticks with your favorite marinara sauce. The acidity of the marinara cuts through the richness of the cheese, balancing the flavors perfectly.
- Restaurant-Style Blender Salsa also goes incredibly well with these mozzarella sticks!
- They’re also great with other family favorites such as ranch dressing or even Roasted Garlic Hummus!
- You can’t go wrong with a cheese sticks and pizza combo! You’ll love our Deep Dish Chicago Style Pizza.
- Looking for pizza flavors but with a twist? Try our One Pot Pizza Pasta or these delicious Pizza Quesadillas!
- They’re also delicious with these Teriyaki Burgers and Mexican Cheeseburgers!
- Serve your extra crispy mozzarella sticks alongside other family favorite sides such as these Easiest Garlic Cheese Bread.
- We also love serving it with our Best Creamy Caesar Salad Recipe!
Homemade Mozzarella Sticks—Extra Crispy
Prep Time: 45 minutes mins Cook Time: 5 minutes mins Total Time: 50 minutes minsServes 32
- 16 sticks mozzarella string cheese
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 2 cups Panko bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- oil, for frying, peanut oil is a great option or alternative
- Marinara sauce, for dipping
In a bowl, mix together the eggs and milk. Set aside.
In another bowl, combine panko bread crumbs with garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and oregano. Set aside.
Cut mozzarella sticks into halves. Roll a piece of mozzarella in flour, dip into egg mixture, and roll well in panko mixture. Press crumbs in place so mozzarella stick is fully coated. Continue until all pieces are well coated.
Place coated mozzarella sticks on a wax-lined baking sheet and put in freezer for at least 30 minutes. (The flash-freezing is important in keeping cheese from falling apart in hot oil.)
Pour enough oil to fill a heavy, medium sized sauce pan one-third to halfway up. Over medium high heat, get oil to 365 degrees F—use a frying thermometer.
Remove frozen mozzarella sticks and cook a few pieces—don’t crowd—at a time, keeping oil temp at 365 degrees F throughout cooking process. Turn heat up or down as needed.
Cook about 25-30 seconds, turning mozzarella sticks until they are an even golden brown. Drain on paper towel-lined serving plate. Continue until entire batch is made. Serve with your favorite marinara sauce and enjoy while hot!
Notes
- Try not to let cheese leak too much while cooking, but if a few little bubbles of cheese are fine.
- Flash-freezing the coated mozzarella sticks for at least 30 minutes is crucial. It keeps the cheese from melting too quickly when frying, giving you that perfect gooey center and crispy exterior.
- Peanut oil is a great choice for frying as it can withstand high temperatures without smoking. This ensures that your mozzarella sticks are cooked to golden perfection without any burnt oil flavors.
- Maintaining the oil at 365 degrees F is important. This allows the sticks to cook evenly, preventing them from becoming soggy or burnt.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook a few pieces at a time, so the oil temperature stays consistent and the sticks cook evenly.
- Serve your mozzarella sticks with your favorite marinara sauce. The acidity of the marinara cuts through the richness of the cheese, balancing the flavors perfectly.
- These homemade mozzarella sticks are great alongside other easy party appetizers such as our Buffalo Chicken Wings and Air Fryer French Fries.
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Nutrition (per serving)
