Description

These crispy homemade mozzarella sticks are a deliciously cheesy snack coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and fried to golden perfection. Perfect as an appetizer or party treat, they combine gooey melted mozzarella with a crunchy exterior for an irresistible bite.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Mozzarella Sticks

8 sticks mozzarella cheese (string cheese or block mozzarella cut into 3-inch by 1/2-inch sticks)

Breading Station

1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
2 large eggs (or flaxseed meal and water mixture for vegan option)
1 cup breadcrumbs (traditional or panko for extra crispiness)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning

Frying

Vegetable or canola oil (enough for 2-3 inches deep in pan, heated to 350°F/175°C)

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Instructions

Prepare the Cheese: Cut your mozzarella into sticks approximately 3 inches long and ½ inch thick. Arrange them on a baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes to help them hold their shape during frying.
Set Up Your Breading Station: In three separate bowls, prepare your breading ingredients: place the flour in the first bowl, beat the eggs in the second, and mix the breadcrumbs with garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning in the third.
Bread the Cheese: Remove the frozen mozzarella sticks from the freezer. Dip each stick first into the flour to fully coat it, then into the beaten eggs, and finally roll it in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating well.
Double Coat (Optional): For an extra crispy crust, repeat the egg dip and breadcrumb coating one more time on each stick.
Heat the Oil: In a deep pan or fryer, heat enough vegetable or canola oil to submerge the sticks (about 2-3 inches deep) to 350°F (175°C).
Fry the Sticks: Carefully add the breaded mozzarella sticks to the hot oil in batches. Fry for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
Drain and Serve: Remove the cooked mozzarella sticks from the oil and let them drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve hot with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce for a perfect snack.

Notes

Freezing the mozzarella sticks before breading helps prevent the cheese from melting too quickly during frying.
Using panko breadcrumbs gives extra crunchiness, but regular breadcrumbs work well too.
For a vegan option, substitute eggs with a flaxseed meal and water mixture and use vegan mozzarella cheese.
Maintain the oil temperature at 350°F to ensure crisp frying without excess oil absorption.
Do not overcrowd the pan while frying; it lowers the oil temperature and can make the sticks greasy.
Serve immediately for best taste and texture.