Mozzarella Sticks

Mozzarella Sticks aren’t a new appetizer by any means, but when the cheese is coated with crunchy Panko bread crumbs and then fried up until the cheese is melted and the bread crumb coating is crispy, these fried Mozzarella sticks become anything but ordinary!

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These mozzarella cheese sticks are the ultimate nostalgic food. Similar to our crispy chicken fingers, they’re made with fresh parsley Italian panko bread crumbs, lending a flavorful crunch with every bite. 

Remember those melty mozzarella sticks from your childhood? The ones you’d get at a bowling alley or the frozen sticks your mom would buy from the frozen food section? Well, this easy recipe drums up all the nostalgia from the good old days but with a more modern twist. With its crunchy-creamy texture, these breaded mozzarella sticks are the perfect easy appetizer for movie night or game day! 

What Are Mozzarella Sticks?

Although you may remember eating mozzarella sticks as a kid, they’re actually much older than you’d think. The first documented mozzarella stick recipe dates all the way back to 1393 in France. But it wasn’t until 1976 that the passion for mozzarella sticks was reignited when Frank Baker from Wisconsin turned the classic mozzarella stick into snack-sized portions. 

Why you’ll love this recipe

This gooey mozzarella stick recipe is the perfect poppable appetizer, like our bacon-wrapped chicken bites. They’ve also got that irresistibly gooey cheese center, like these easy parmesan artichoke bites, making them the best choice for your next party. 

Ingredients

• String Cheese: Because let’s face it, without it, these wouldn’t be mozzarella sticks. 
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps the egg mixture and the breadcrumbs adhere to the cheese.
• Eggs: The glue of the operation. They bring everyone together, creating that perfect environment for the breadcrumbs to cling to our beloved string cheese.
• Milk: The other half of the egg wash. 
• Panko Bread Crumbs: The crispy, crunchy coating that wraps our cheese, giving it that satisfying bite. No flimsy excuses here.
• Dried Parsley: Adds that classic mozzarella stick flavor. You could also use Italian seasoning if you like. 
• Pepper
• Salt
• Granulated Garlic: Because garlic makes everything better. It’s the secret weapon that takes these sticks to the next level.
• Canola Oil: The golden pool of magic where our mozzarella sticks take a quick, sizzling vacation before reaching our eager mouths. Vegetable oil or any other neutral cooking oil will work. 

How to Make Mozzarella Sticks 

Cut those string cheeses in half, right down the middle. Now, grab a small bowl for your flour and another separate bowl for the breadcrumbs. Mix up those breadcrumbs with parsley, salt, pepper, and garlic. Give it a good stir. 

In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. Now, take each cheese half, dip it in the flour mixture, shake off the excess, dip it in the egg mixture, and roll it in the panko mixture. Make sure it’s dressed to impress. Gently lay those cheesy wonders on a lined baking sheet. Time for a quick freeze session! Pop the sheet in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes. Let them chill out. 

In a saucepan, heat up that canola oil until it’s feeling nice and hot. Drop those mozzarella sticks in the hot oil, 8 at a time. Keep an eye on them, give them a quick flip, and they’ll be golden brown in less than 2 minutes. No cheese leaking allowed! Rescue the mozza sticks from the hot tub and let them chill on a plate lined with paper towels. Dive into cheesy bliss! Enjoy!

Expert Recipe Tips 

• These mozzarella sticks pair perfectly with ranch dressing, marinara sauce, pesto, pizza sauce, creamy garlic sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce. 
• Feel free to add extra seasonings to this recipe. Some great options are garlic powder, onion powder, or parmesan cheese!
• Don’t forget to freeze the sticks before frying. The cheese will ooze out in the oil if you don’t.
• Use a deep-fry thermometer or candy thermometer to check the oil temperature before dunking your mozzarella sticks. 

How to Store Leftovers & Reheat

Store leftover mozzarella sticks in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. The best part is that you can freeze these bad boys! Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. 

​BONUS: You can reheat these from frozen, making them the perfect quick snack. 

To reheat, you have a couple of options:

• Toaster Oven: Reheat at 350F for 5-10 minutes if refrigerated, 450F for 8-15 minutes if frozen. The same instructions apply to the oven also. 
• Air Fryer: Reheat in the air fryer basket at 360F for 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway through cook time. 
• Microwave: I don’t love using the microwave to heat these up as they won’t crisp up as much, but it works in a pinch. 

What to serve with mozzarella sticks

Serve these melty masterpieces up with other party appetizers for the ultimate spread. Keep things bite-sized with these pizza nachos or crescent sandwich roll-ups. 

Recipe FAQs

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One ooey, gooey bite will transport you right back your childhood as you watch your troubles fade away. If you try this recipe, please rate the recipe card and leave a comment down below to help out the next reader! 

Panko Coated Fried Mozzarella Sticks

Fried Mozzarella sticks aren’t a new appetizer by any means, but when the cheese is coated with crunchy Panko bread crumbs and then fried up until the cheese is melted and the bread crumb coating is crispy, these fried Mozzarella sticks become anything but ordinary!

4.86 from 7 votes

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Appetizer

American

Author: Kita Roberts

15 minutes mins

Serves: 16 Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients

• ▢ 16 pieces string cheese - removed from wrappers
• ▢ 1/2 cup flour
• ▢ 2 eggs
• ▢ 3 tbs milk
• ▢ 2 cups panko bread crumbs
• ▢ 1 tbs fresh parsley - or dried parsley
• ▢ 1/2 tsp. pepper
• ▢ 1/2 tsp. salt
• ▢ 1/2 tsp. granulated garlic
• ▢ Canola oil - for frying

Instructions

• Slice the string cheese in half.
• Place the flour in a small bowl.
• In another separate bowl, combine the bread crumbs with the parsley, salt, pepper and garlic, stir to combine.
• In a shallow dish, whisk the eggs with the milk to combine.
• One by one, dust the cheese in the flour, tapping the excess off.
• Dip the cheese in the egg mixture, covering completely.
• Roll the cheese in the panko crumb mixture.
• Gently remove and place on a baking sheet.
• Place the sheet in a freezer for 20 – 30 minutes to flash freeze sticks.
• Fill a medium saucepan with the canola oil until it reaches a height of about 1 inch. Heat over medium-high heat until hot.
• When hot, add the mozzarella sticks, 8 pieces at a time. Watch closely and turn over to evenly brown, cooking less than 2 minutes. Do not allow the cheese to bubble and leak.
• Remove and drain on a paper towel lined plate. Enjoy!

Notes

Adapted from Une Deuxsenses (who adapted it from Tasty Kitchen)

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 686kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 184mg | Sodium: 1441mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g

Nutritional informations provided as a courtesy and is only an approximatation. Values will changes based on ingredients used.

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