Posted November 2, 2023 by: Admin #Kitchen

Homemade Mozzarella Cheese Sticks are exceptionally crunchy on the outside, with a gooey, melty center that stretches into delicious cheese strings. They are perfect for dipping in Marinara Sauce or Ranch, making them the ultimate snack or a quick and easy party appetizer.

Ingredients

Making homemade mozzarella sticks is easy with only a handful of pantry and refrigerator staples (see the detailed ingredient list in the print-friendly recipe card below).

• Mozzarella Cheese – A 16 oz block of low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese should yield approximately 20-24 cheese sticks.
• Flour – Use regular all-purpose flour for the breading for the best results.
• Garlic Salt – We use garlic salt instead of regular salt for extra flavor.
• Eggs – Beat them to create an egg wash that helps the bread crumbs adhere to the cheese sticks.
• Seasoned Breadcrumbs – Enjoy the added flavor of Italian seasoned bread crumbs. If you have plain breadcrumbs, mix in a teaspoon of Italian seasoning or dried basil and oregano.
• Oil – Use for frying, or use cooking spray if you’re baking your mozzarella sticks.

How to Make Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

Ready to create your own ooey-gooey, melty cheese sticks with the crispiest breading? Here’s how to prepare them for frying:

• Set up the Breading Station – Take out three bowls. Whisk the flour together with garlic salt in the first bowl, beat the eggs together in the second, and add your breadcrumbs to the third.
• Cut the Cheese – Use a sharp knife to cut the block of mozzarella into sticks just under ½” thick by 3” long. You’ll end up with about 20-24 cheese sticks.
• Coat in Breading – Dip each cheese stick first in the flour, then into the egg, then repeat in flour and egg wash. This double-dip method is the secret to well-breaded cheese sticks. Lastly, roll the sticks in the breadcrumbs to get them evenly coated on all sides.
• Freeze – Transfer the breaded cheese sticks to a baking sheet or platter. Once all the sticks are coated, cover them with plastic wrap and freeze for 45 minutes.

How to Fry Cheese Sticks

After your cheese sticks have chilled, it’s time to fry them. Deep frying requires some close attention (don’t leave the hot oil unattended), but it’s actually pretty simple:

• Heat the Oil – In a deep pan, heat 2 cups of oil over medium heat until the temperature reaches 350ºF on a thermometer. An easy way to test the temperature is to sprinkle a pinch of breadcrumbs into the oil. If the crumbs sizzle, the oil is at the right temperature for frying.
• Fry – Take your cheese sticks out of the freezer. Working in small batches, drop the cheese sticks into the hot oil. Fry for about 60-90 seconds, turning the sticks halfway through. Use a slotted spoon to remove the cooked mozzarella sticks once the outside is crisped and golden, and as soon as you spot any cheese start to leak out.
• Drain and Cool – Place the fried mozzarella sticks on a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb the excess oil.

Pro Tip: The oil tends to cool off a bit while the cheese sticks are cooking. Make sure to reheat the oil to 350ºF in between batches, otherwise, the cheese inside will melt faster than the outside can crisp up, causing the cheese to ooze out. A clip-on oil thermometer will help monitor the oil temperature.

Tips for the Best Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

Here are some final tips for making your own mozzarella sticks:

• Deep frying yields the best results – Frying in oil produces a crunchy exterior.
• Use the right oil – Use an oil with a high smoke point so your cheese sticks don’t burn. Extra light olive oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, and peanut oil are great options.
• Fry in batches – 3-4 at a time so the oil won’t cool off too quickly.
• Cut even-sized sticks – keep them just under 1/2″ thick so that they heat through evenly.

Common Questions

Can I make this recipe with string cheese?

Yes, you can substitute the block of mozzarella with individually wrapped cheese sticks. This is an easy shortcut if you’re pressed for time.

Can I use fresh Mozzarella?

No. Fresh mozzarella cheese is too soft and releases too much liquid, causing the breading to become soggy (and the oil to splatter).

Why is my cheese not melted?

If the cheese inside your mozzarella sticks isn’t gooey in the middle, it could be that your cheese sticks were cut too thick. A quick fix is to microwave them for 15-20 seconds to melt the cheese.

Can I make these in the oven or air fryer instead?

Yes! See below for instructions on how to make homemade cheese sticks in a conventional oven, convection oven, or air fryer.

Serve With

We love serving these crispy homemade cheese sticks as an easy appetizer or game-day food. Here are some of our favorite dipping sauces for mozzarella sticks:

Can I Make Cheese Sticks Without Deep Frying?

While frying will give you the best results, you can still make deliciously gooey cheese sticks using any of the methods below:

• Baked Cheese Sticks: Arrange the frozen cheese sticks in a single layer on a baking sheet, about one inch apart. Spray all over with cooking spray. With the rack in the top third, bake at 475°F for 7-8 minutes, flipping halfway. Bake until melted cheese begins to peek through the crust.
• Convection Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F, and follow the same instructions as the conventional oven, baking for 4-6 minutes instead.
• Air Fryer Cheese Sticks: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F, then air fry the cheese sticks for 4-5 minutes, turning halfway. Work in batches if needed to ensure that the hot air can circulate.

Make-Ahead

Homemade mozzarella cheese sticks freeze really well so you can cook up a batch when the craving hits.

• To Freeze: Arrange on a baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze for 2 hours, until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe zip-top bag, squeeze out the excess air, and freeze for up to 3 months. You can cook them straight from frozen.
• Reheating: To get the insides of your cooked mozzarella sticks gooey again, microwave them for 15-20 seconds, just until the cheese starts to peek through the crust.

If you’re looking for a fun appetizer or satisfying snack, we hope you’ll give these homemade mozzarella sticks a try!