Fried Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

4.5
(831)

Mozzarella sticks are very easy to make at home. They're deep-fried until golden and crispy on the outside, with melted gooey cheese on the inside. They're so good and take just minutes to fry! Try dipping them in a marinara sauce!

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a close-up overhead view of a platter full of golden-brown fried cheese sticks. One cheese stick has been torn open to reveal gooey mozzarella cheese. served with marinara sauce.
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Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
25 mins
Servings:
8

Did you know you don't have to go out to enjoy restaurant-worthy mozzarella sticks? Well, you don't! With this top-rated recipe, you can make irresistible fried mozzarella cheese sticks in the comfort of your own home.

How to Make Mozzarella Sticks

You'll find the full step-by-step recipe below, but here's what you can expect when you make these fried mozzarella sticks:

Make Breading

In three separate bowls: Mix the eggs and water, the bread crumbs and garlic salt, and flour and cornstarch.

Fry Cheese Sticks

Heat the oil to 365 degrees F in a heavy saucepan. One at a time, coat each mozzarella stick in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, then in the garlic-spiked bread crumbs. Drop the sticks into the hot oil and fry for about 30 seconds, or until golden-brown. Drain the fried mozzarella sticks on paper towels.

Mozzarella Sticks Sauce

Of course, the most popular dipping sauce to pair with mozzarella cheese sticks is marinara (make our simple Marinara Dipping Sauce or buy jarred sauce at the store). Not into marinara? Shake things up with one of these fun ideas:

Sriracha Aioli
Southwest Dipping Sauce
A Very Popular BBQ Sauce
Comeback Sauce
Garlic Aioli

Explore our entire collection of Sauces and Condiments.

How to Store Mozzarella Sticks

Store (completely cooled) homemade mozzarella sticks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Line the container with paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Can You Freeze Mozzarella Sticks?

Yes, you can freeze mozzarella sticks. Allow them to cool completely, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, cover, and freeze for a few hours or overnight. Once the sticks are frozen, transfer them to a zip-top bag labeled with the date. Freeze for up to three months.

How to Reheat Mozzarella Sticks

Reheat refrigerated or frozen mozzarella sticks in the oven. To reheat refrigerated cheese sticks, place them in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F for about 5 minutes, or until heated through. To reheat frozen cheese sticks, place them in an oven preheated to 450 degrees F for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"Great as a party snack or starter," according to one Allrecipes community member. "I found that if you put them all in at once they tend to stick together in one big fried-cheese clump. So if you want them to keep their 'log' shape you have to cook only one or two at a time and make sure they don't touch while cooking."

"These are great," raves roxylovin. "Super easy to do and man, what a hit! I followed some other ideas of double coating and cutting the cheese sticks in half before doing the dipping. I didn't have enough oil to fully dip the sticks into, it ended up covering half of the stick so I turned with a fork so both sides were golden. Will be making it again!"

"These were really good," says Faith W. "They are my daughter's favorite, so I've made them a few times. They are MUCH easier to work with if the cheese sticks are room temperature instead of cold when you egg and bread them. GREAT RECIPE! Thanks!!!"

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

  • 2 large eggs, beaten

  • ¼ cup water

  • 1 ½ cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs

  • ½ teaspoon garlic salt

  • cup all-purpose flour

  • cup cornstarch

  • 2 cups oil for frying, or as needed

  • 1 (16 ounce) package mozzarella cheese sticks

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Overhead of mozzarella stick ingredients in various bowls and containers.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Whisk water and eggs together in a small bowl. Mix bread crumbs and garlic salt together in a medium bowl. Blend flour and cornstarch together in a third bowl.

    Overhead of flour mixture ingredients in three glass bowls.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Heat oil to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C) in a large, heavy saucepan.

  4. Dredge a mozzarella stick in flour; shake off excess. Dip into egg mixture. Lift up so excess egg drips back in the bowl. Press into bread crumbs to coat. Place breaded mozzarella stick on a plate or wire rack. Repeat with remaining mozzarella sticks.

    Overhead of mozzarella sticks covered in a bread crumb mixture and resting on a baking sheet.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Use a spider spoon or a pair of tongs to lower 3 to 4 mozzarella sticks into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat and drain on paper towels. Repeat to fry remaining mozzarella sticks.

    Overhead of fried mozzarella sticks resting on a paper towel.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Serve hot and enjoy!

    a close-up overhead view of a platter full of golden-brown fried cheese sticks. One cheese stick has been torn open to reveal gooey mozzarella cheese. served with marinara sauce.

    DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS 

Editor's Note

Nutrition data for this recipe includes the full amount of breading ingredients. The actual amount of breading consumed will vary. We have determined the nutritional value of oil for frying based on a retention value of 10% after cooking. The exact amount will vary depending on cooking time and temperature, ingredient density, and specific type of oil used.

1,038 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

789 Calories
67g Fat
30g Carbs
19g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 789
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 67g 85%
Saturated Fat 13g 67%
Cholesterol 83mg 28%
Sodium 806mg 35%
Total Carbohydrate 30g 11%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Protein 19g 39%
Calcium 483mg 37%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 76mg 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.