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Homemade Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

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4.1 from 6 reviews

Crispy homemade mozzarella sticks coated with seasoned panko breadcrumbs, perfectly fried to golden brown and served with warm marinara sauce. This recipe yields 15 crunchy, cheesy sticks – a perfect appetizer or snack for any occasion.

Ingredients

Coating

  • 1 ½ cups plain Panko
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon table salt

Breading

  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour

Cheese

  • 1 lb whole milk mozzarella block (or 15 whole milk string cheese)

Frying

  • Vegetable oil (for frying)

Serving

  • Marinara sauce (for dipping)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Panko Crumbs: Place panko crumbs in a Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin or mallet to crush until fine crumbs form.
  2. Season Panko: Transfer crushed panko into a shallow dish and add Italian seasoning, dried parsley, garlic powder, ground black pepper, and table salt. Stir well to combine the seasoning evenly.
  3. Beat Eggs: In a separate shallow bowl, crack 2 large eggs and whisk them until well beaten and scrambled.
  4. Prepare Flour Bowl: Pour all-purpose flour into another shallow bowl for dredging the cheese sticks.
  5. Cut Cheese Sticks: If using a mozzarella block, slice it widthwise into 15 equal sticks. If using string cheese, use as is.
  6. Bread the Cheese: Working one at a time, dredge each cheese stick in flour, shaking off excess. Then dip into the beaten eggs, letting excess drip off. Finally, coat thoroughly with the seasoned panko crumbs, pressing lightly to ensure full coverage.
  7. Freeze Breaded Sticks: Place a wire rack over a baking sheet and arrange the breaded mozzarella sticks on it. Transfer to the freezer and chill for at least 1 hour. For longer storage, after 1 hour, move sticks to an airtight container and return to freezer.
  8. Heat Oil: While sticks are still frozen, fill a medium saucepan with 3 inches of vegetable oil. Attach a thermometer ensuring it’s not touching the bottom. Heat oil over medium heat to 350°F (175°C).
  9. Fry Mozzarella Sticks: Remove sticks from freezer and fry 2 at a time until golden brown, about 1 minute each batch. Use a slotted spoon to transfer fried sticks to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Allow oil to return to 350°F before frying the next batch.
  10. Serve: Serve warm mozzarella sticks immediately with warmed marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy the crispy exterior and gooey melted cheese!

Notes

  • For Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake breaded sticks on a wire rack for 8-10 minutes until golden and crispy.
  • For Air Fryer: Air fry at 390°F for 6-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown.
  • Freezing the breaded sticks before frying helps maintain shape and prevent cheese leakage during frying.
  • Monitor oil temperature closely to ensure even frying without sogginess or burning.
  • Use whole milk mozzarella for best melting and texture.

Find it online: https://dishcooks.com/homemade-mozzarella-sticks-recipe/