Description
Crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, these homemade mozzarella sticks are a delicious appetizer or snack. Coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and fried to golden perfection, they are best enjoyed hot with marinara sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound mozzarella cheese (preferably string cheese sticks)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably Italian seasoned)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Marinara sauce (for dipping)
Instructions
- Take mozzarella cheese sticks out of the packaging or cut a block of mozzarella into sticks about 3-4 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Freeze the cheese sticks for about 30 minutes to firm them up.
- Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls:
- In the first bowl, add all-purpose flour (season with a pinch of salt and pepper if desired).
- In the second bowl, crack the eggs and whisk until combined (optional: add a splash of water or milk).
- In the third bowl, mix breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- Once the cheese sticks are chilled, roll each stick in flour, dip in the egg wash, and then coat in the seasoned breadcrumbs. For extra crispiness, double bread the sticks by repeating the process.
- In a large skillet or pot, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully add a few cheese sticks to the hot oil, frying in batches if necessary. Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried mozzarella sticks and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Repeat the frying process with the remaining cheese sticks.
- Serve hot with marinara sauce for dipping. Optionally, sprinkle with extra dried oregano or parsley for garnish.
Notes
- Ensure the oil is at the right temperature to prevent the cheese from melting too quickly.
- For a healthier option, consider baking the mozzarella sticks instead of frying them.
- These mozzarella sticks can be made ahead of time and frozen before frying for a quick snack later.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes