Description
Crispy, golden homemade mozzarella sticks perfect for an irresistible appetizer or snack. This recipe uses panko breadcrumbs seasoned with Italian herbs for extra flavor, enrobes fresh mozzarella in a crunchy coating, and fries until perfectly melty inside. Serve with marinara sauce for a classic pairing that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Coating Mix
- 1 ½ cups (106 g) plain Panko breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
Other Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup (63 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 lb whole milk mozzarella block or 15 whole milk string cheese sticks
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare the breadcrumbs: In a shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs with Italian seasoning, dried parsley, garlic powder, ground black pepper, and salt. Mix well so the spices are evenly distributed.
- Prepare the wet and dry coatings: In another shallow bowl, whisk the 2 large eggs until smooth. Place the all-purpose flour in a separate shallow dish.
- Cut the mozzarella: Slice the mozzarella block into sticks approximately 3-4 inches long and about ½ inch thick, or if using string cheese, use whole sticks as is.
- Coat the mozzarella: One by one, dredge each mozzarella stick first in flour, shaking off the excess; then dip into the beaten eggs, ensuring it is fully coated; finally, roll it in the seasoned panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating well.
- Double coat for extra crispiness: For a thicker crust, repeat the egg and panko coating step once more.
- Freeze the coated sticks: Place the coated mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them for at least 1 hour. This helps prevent cheese from oozing out during frying.
- Heat the oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or fryer to a depth of about 2 inches and heat it to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the mozzarella sticks: Carefully add the frozen mozzarella sticks in batches to the hot oil. Fry for about 1.5 to 2 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain and serve: Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried sticks and place on paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Freezing the mozzarella sticks before frying is essential to prevent the cheese from leaking out.
- Use whole milk mozzarella for best melt and flavor.
- Be sure oil temperature stays around 350°F for crispiness without burning.
- You can bake the mozzarella sticks at 400°F for 8-10 minutes as a healthier alternative, flipping halfway through.
- Leftover sticks can be frozen uncooked and fried later directly from frozen.
Keywords: homemade mozzarella sticks, crispy mozzarella sticks recipe, fried cheese sticks, Italian appetizer, easy snack