Irresistible Crispy Homemade Mozzarella Sticks Secret Recipe
Crispy homemade mozzarella sticks with a flavorful seasoned coating, perfect for a delicious snack or appetizer. These mozzarella sticks are coated in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture and fried to golden perfection for an irresistibly crunchy exterior and gooey cheesy center. Serve hot with homemade marinara sauce for dipping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 mozzarella sticks 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Wet Ingredients
- 2 eggs
Coating
- 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Main Ingredient
- 12 ounces low moisture mozzarella cheese, cut into 3-inch x ¾ inch sticks (or 12 oz string cheese cut in half)
Other
- 1 quart vegetable oil (for frying)
- Homemade marinara sauce, for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly to distribute the seasonings evenly.
- Beat Eggs: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs until the yolk and whites are fully combined and smooth.
- Prepare Coating Mixture: In a third shallow bowl, mix together the Panko breadcrumbs and Italian seasoning to infuse the coating with herbaceous flavor.
- Coat Mozzarella Sticks: One at a time, coat each mozzarella stick first by dredging it in the flour mixture, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally roll it thoroughly in the Panko and Italian seasoning mixture to ensure a full, even coating.
- Freeze Coated Sticks: Place the coated mozzarella sticks onto a tray and freeze them for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial to help the coating adhere during frying and prevent the cheese from melting out too quickly.
- Heat Oil: In a deep fryer or a large heavy pot, heat the vegetable oil to 375°F (190°C). Use a thermometer to ensure precise temperature for perfect frying.
- Fry Mozzarella Sticks: Fry the cheese sticks in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook each side for about 30 seconds or until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain and Serve: Remove the fried sticks with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve immediately with homemade marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Freezing the coated sticks before frying prevents the cheese from leaking out during cooking.
- Maintain oil temperature at 375°F to achieve crispy exterior without oil absorption.
- Use low moisture mozzarella for best results to minimize cheese melting out.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the crispy texture and melty cheese.
- For a healthier option, consider baking the sticks at 425°F for 8-10 minutes until crisp, flipping halfway through, though frying yields the crispiest result.
Keywords: Mozzarella sticks, crispy cheese sticks, homemade appetizer, fried cheese snack, Italian dipping appetizer
