Crispy Gooey Mozzarella Sticks (Print Version)

Crispy golden coating with warm melted cheese inside, perfect for sharing

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 14 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into ½ x 3-inch sticks

→ Breading

02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 2 tbsp milk
05 - 2 cups breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
06 - ½ tsp garlic powder
07 - ½ tsp dried Italian herbs
08 - ½ tsp salt
09 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ For Frying

10 - Vegetable oil, for deep frying

→ To Serve

11 - Marinara sauce, for dipping

# How to Make It:

01 - Set up three shallow bowls: place flour in the first, whisk eggs with milk in the second, and combine breadcrumbs with garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper in the third.
02 - Dredge each mozzarella stick in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into egg mixture, then coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs. Repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps for a double coating that ensures the cheese stays sealed inside.
03 - Arrange coated sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze for at least 1 hour until firm—this crucial step prevents cheese leakage during frying.
04 - Pour vegetable oil into a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot and heat to 350°F.
05 - Fry sticks in batches for 1–2 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crisp. Avoid overcrowding to maintain oil temperature.
06 - Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The double coating technique creates that satisfying crunch that shatters perfectly when you bite in
  • Freezing the sticks first ensures the cheese stays contained while the exterior turns golden and crisp
  • These come together faster than you would think, especially if you prep ahead for parties
02 -
  • Do not skip the freezing step, otherwise the cheese will leak out into your oil and you will end up with messy cheese strings instead of neat sticks
  • Keep the oil temperature steady, if it gets too hot the coating burns before the cheese heats through, too cool and they will absorb too much oil
  • Work in small batches when frying, overcrowding drops the oil temperature dramatically and leads to soggy results
03 -
  • Use one hand for the wet ingredients and one hand for the dry ingredients to keep your fingers from becoming a breaded mess
  • If the cheese starts leaking during frying, remove that stick immediately and check your oil temperature
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