Homemade Mozzarella Sticks: Crispy, Cheesy Perfection at Home Recipe
These Homemade Mozzarella Sticks deliver crispy, golden-brown exteriors with gooey, melty cheese inside. Perfectly breaded with a double coating of Italian seasoned breadcrumbs and panko, they offer an irresistible crunch whether fried, baked, or air fried. Ideal as an appetizer or snack, these mozzarella sticks are simple to make at home and come out restaurant-quality every time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes (frying) / 8-10 minutes (baking) / 6-7 minutes (air frying)
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including freezing time)
- Yield: About 24 mozzarella sticks 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese
- 16 oz (450g) block of mozzarella cheese (whole milk preferred), cut into sticks about 3 ½ inches long and ½ inch thick (or use string cheese sticks as an alternative)
Breading
- 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 cups (200g) seasoned Italian breadcrumbs
- 1 cup (100g) panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano or basil
Instructions
- Prep the Cheese: Cut the mozzarella block into uniform sticks about 3 ½ inches long and ½ inch thick. Arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour to ensure they hold their shape and the cheese doesn’t melt too quickly during cooking.
- Set Up the Breading Station: Prepare three shallow bowls: one with all-purpose flour, one with whisked eggs combined with milk, and one with a mixture of seasoned Italian breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Bread the Mozzarella Sticks: Roll each frozen cheese stick first in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg wash until fully coated. Next, roll in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to help it adhere. For best results, repeat the egg wash and breadcrumb step a second time to create a double breading that seals in the cheese and ensures crispiness. Return the breaded sticks to the baking sheet and freeze again for 30–60 minutes before frying.
- Fry the Mozzarella Sticks: Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a heavy pot or deep fryer. Fry the cheese sticks in small batches of 6 to 8 for 2–3 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve immediately with marinara sauce for dipping.
- Baking or Air Fryer Option: For baking, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), place sticks on a parchment-lined tray, spray with cooking oil, and bake for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through. For air frying, preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C), spray the sticks with oil, and cook for 6–7 minutes turning halfway to ensure even crisping.
Notes
- Freezing the cheese sticks before and after breading is crucial to prevent the cheese from oozing out while cooking.
- Double breading ensures a thick, crispy crust that locks in melted cheese.
- Use whole milk mozzarella for better melting quality compared to part-skim varieties.
- Serve immediately for best texture; mozzarella sticks tend to lose crispness if left to sit too long.
- Marinara sauce is a classic pairing but ranch dressing or spicy aioli also complement well.
Keywords: Mozzarella sticks, crispy mozzarella sticks, homemade mozzarella sticks, cheesy appetizer, fried cheese sticks, Italian breadcrumbs, double breaded cheese sticks
