Description
These Crispy Mozzarella Sticks are golden, crunchy on the outside, and perfectly melty on the inside. Paired with rich marinara sauce and a creamy dipping sauce, they make for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack. Whether you’re hosting a party or just craving a cheesy treat, these mozzarella sticks are sure to be a hit!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Mozzarella Sticks:
- 12 oz mozzarella cheese (string cheese works well, cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Marinara Sauce:
- 1 jar (about 16 oz) marinara sauce
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Creamy Dip:
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Mozzarella Sticks:
- Freeze the mozzarella cheese sticks for at least 30 minutes. This helps them hold their shape while frying and prevents the cheese from leaking out.
- Set Up the Breading Station:
- In one shallow bowl, place the flour.
- In a second shallow bowl, beat the eggs.
- In a third shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Bread the Mozzarella Sticks:
- Roll each frozen mozzarella stick in the flour, ensuring it’s completely coated.
- Dip it into the beaten eggs, then coat it with the breadcrumb mixture. For extra crispiness, you can repeat this step, dipping each stick back into the egg and breadcrumbs for a double coating.
- Heat the Oil:
- In a large pot or deep fryer, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil over medium heat to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the Mozzarella Sticks:
- Fry the breaded mozzarella sticks in batches, about 2-3 minutes, until golden and crispy. Be careful not to overcrowd the pot.
- Once they are fried, use a slotted spoon to remove the mozzarella sticks and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Prepare the Dipping Sauces:
- For the marinara sauce, simply heat it in a small saucepan over medium heat, adding dried basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and simmer for a few minutes.
- For the creamy dip, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth.
- Serve:
- Serve the crispy mozzarella sticks with the warm marinara sauce and creamy dip on the side. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
- Be sure to freeze the mozzarella sticks long enough to prevent them from melting too much when frying.
- For an extra twist, you can add a teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture if you like a little heat.
- If you prefer baking over frying, place the breaded mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-5 mozzarella sticks with sauces
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 40mg