Description
Crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, these homemade mozzarella sticks are a delightful snack or appetizer. Whether you choose to fry, bake, or air fry them, they offer a deliciously cheesy experience with a flavorful crunch, perfect for dipping in marinara sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 block of whole milk mozzarella (or 10–12 pieces of string cheese)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs, crushed slightly with a rolling pin
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Vegetable oil (for frying) or cooking spray (for baking/air frying)
- Marinara sauce (for dipping)
Instructions
- Prepare the Mozzarella Sticks
- If using a block of mozzarella, cut it into sticks about 3-4 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. For string cheese, simply cut each piece in half.
- Prepare the Dredging Stations
- In one bowl, place the flour.
- In a second bowl, whisk the eggs.
- In a third bowl, mix the panko, Italian seasoning, and salt.
- Coat the Mozzarella Sticks
- Dredge the Sticks: Coat each mozzarella stick in flour, ensuring it’s fully covered. Shake off any excess.
- Dip in Egg: Dip the floured stick into the egg mixture, coating it completely.
- Coat with Panko: Roll the egg-covered stick in the panko breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to make sure the crumbs adhere well.
- Freeze
- Place the coated mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet or cooling rack and freeze for at least 1 hour. Freezing helps prevent the cheese from melting too quickly during cooking.
- Cook the Mozzarella Sticks
- To Fry:
- Heat about 1-2 inches of vegetable oil in a large pot to 350°F (use a thermometer to monitor the temperature).
- Fry 2-3 mozzarella sticks at a time for 1-2 minutes, until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels and serve warm with marinara sauce.
- To Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and place the frozen mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Spray them lightly with cooking spray and bake for 8-10 minutes until golden and crispy.
- To Air Fry:
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Place the frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Spray with cooking spray and cook for 6-8 minutes until crispy.
- To Fry:
- Serve
- Enjoy your homemade mozzarella sticks with warm marinara sauce or any dipping sauce you prefer!
Notes
- Freezing the mozzarella sticks before cooking is essential to prevent the cheese from leaking out.
- Ensure the oil is at the right temperature when frying to achieve a crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1-2 minutes
- Category: Appetizer / Snack
- Method: Frying, Baking, Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mozzarella stick
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg