Mozzarella Sticks (Printable)

Golden, crunchy coating surrounds melted mozzarella for the ultimate appetizer

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 14 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into ½ x 3-inch sticks

→ Breading

02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 2 tbsp milk
05 - 2 cups breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
06 - ½ tsp garlic powder
07 - ½ tsp dried Italian herbs
08 - ½ tsp salt
09 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ For Frying

10 - Vegetable oil, for deep frying

→ To Serve

11 - Marinara sauce, for dipping

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Place flour in one shallow bowl. In a second bowl, whisk eggs with milk. In a third bowl, mix breadcrumbs with garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
02 - Dredge each mozzarella stick in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into egg mixture, then coat thoroughly in breadcrumbs. For best results, repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps to double-coat each stick.
03 - Place coated sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for at least 1 hour, or until firm. This prevents cheese from leaking during frying.
04 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F.
05 - Fry mozzarella sticks in batches for 1–2 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crisp. Do not overcrowd the pot.
06 - Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce for dipping.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The satisfaction of that perfect crunch followed by warm gooey cheese is absolutely unmatched
  • These freeze beautifully, so you can double the batch and have instant appetizers ready for unexpected guests
02 -
  • The freezing step cannot be skipped or shortened. Thoroughly frozen sticks are the only way to prevent cheese from escaping into your oil
  • Work in small batches when frying. Crowding the pot drops the temperature dramatically and you will end up with greasy, soggy results
03 -
  • Pat your mozzarella sticks dry with paper towels before coating. Excess moisture prevents the breading from adhering properly
  • Let the fried sticks rest for exactly one minute before serving. This slight cooling sets the coating so it does not slide off when you bite in
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