Description

Homemade Mozzarella Sticks are the ultimate cheesy snack or appetizer. With a golden, crispy breadcrumb coating and gooey melted cheese, these sticks are easy to make and far better than store-bought. Fry them for a classic crunch, bake for a lighter option, or air fry for a crispy low-oil alternative. Perfect for dipping in warm marinara sauce, they’re great for parties, game days, or any occasion!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Coating:

1 ½ cups (106 g) plain Panko breadcrumbs
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon dried parsley
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon table salt

For the Sticks:

2 large eggs, beaten
½ cup (63 g) all-purpose flour
1 lb whole milk mozzarella block or 15 whole milk string cheese

For Frying or Cooking:

Vegetable oil for frying

Optional for Serving:

Marinara sauce for dipping

Instructions

Place panko breadcrumbs in a Ziploc bag and crush into fine crumbs using a rolling pin. Transfer to a shallow dish and mix in Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, pepper, and salt.
Prepare two more shallow dishes: one with beaten eggs and the other with all-purpose flour.
If using a mozzarella block, cut it into 15 evenly sized sticks.
Coat each stick in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. Repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating for a double layer.
Arrange breaded sticks on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour.
To Fry: Heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry 2–3 sticks at a time for about 1 minute, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
To Bake: Preheat oven to 415°F (210°C). Arrange sticks on a baking sheet and bake for 10–15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
To Air Fry: Preheat air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Spray sticks with cooking spray and cook for 6–8 minutes, tossing halfway through.
Serve warm with marinara sauce.

Notes

Freezing is essential to prevent cheese from leaking during cooking.
Adjust the seasoning in the breadcrumbs to your taste by adding spices like cayenne, smoked paprika, or Parmesan cheese.
Store uncooked sticks in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Calories: ~120
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 200 mg
Fat: 6 g
Carbohydrates: ~9 g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: ~6 g