Description
These homemade mozzarella sticks feature a crisp, seasoned panko coating and a warm, stretchy cheese center. Double breading and freezing help the cheese stay inside while frying. Serve them immediately with a quick small batch marinara sauce for an easy party appetizer, game-day snack, or family treat.
Ingredients
12 mozzarella string cheese sticks
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 large egg
2 tablespoons milk
3/4 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes, optional
Vegetable oil or canola oil, for frying
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced
8 ounces crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
1/4 teaspoon dried basil, for the marinara sauce
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, for the marinara sauce
1 large pinch salt, for the marinara sauce
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes, for the marinara sauce
Instructions
1. Line a high-sided baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
2. Combine the flour, salt, and black pepper in the first shallow dish.
3. Whisk the egg and milk together in the second shallow dish.
4. Mix the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, basil, oregano, parsley, thyme, garlic powder, and optional red pepper flakes in the third shallow dish.
5. Coat one mozzarella stick in the flour mixture and shake off the excess.
6. Dip the floured cheese stick into the egg mixture, then press it into the seasoned breadcrumb mixture.
7. Dip the stick into the egg mixture again and apply a second breadcrumb coating.
8. Place the coated mozzarella stick on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with the remaining cheese sticks.
9. Freeze the breaded mozzarella sticks for at least 1 hour.
10. Pour about 2 inches of oil into a deep, high-sided pot and heat it to 350°F.
11. Fry no more than 4 mozzarella sticks at a time for about 2 minutes, turning them carefully until golden and crisp.
12. Transfer the fried mozzarella sticks to a paper towel-lined plate and season lightly with salt if desired.
13. Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat.
14. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring until fragrant.
15. Add the crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and optional red pepper flakes.
16. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the marinara sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
17. Serve the homemade mozzarella sticks immediately with the warm marinara sauce.
Notes
Freeze the fully breaded mozzarella sticks before cooking. This step slows the melting process and helps prevent the cheese from leaking.
Double breading creates a stronger crust and improves crispness.
Keep the frying oil close to 350°F. Cooler oil can create a greasy coating, while hotter oil may cause the cheese to burst.
Cook in small batches so the oil temperature remains steady.
For an air fryer version, spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray and cook the frozen sticks at 390°F for 7 to 9 minutes.
You may replace the individual herbs in the breading with 2 1/2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning.
Store the marinara sauce in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freeze uncooked breaded mozzarella sticks in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Cook frozen mozzarella sticks without thawing and add 1 to 2 minutes to the cooking time when needed.
Nutrition information applies to the mozzarella sticks and does not include the marinara sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Deep Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mozzarella stick
- Calories: 134
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 345 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 29 mg