Few things can rival the satisfaction of biting into a hot, crispy fried mozzarella stick, the golden crust giving way to a gooey, stretchy core of melted cheese. Whether you’re serving them as a game-day appetizer, a party snack, or just indulging in a comforting treat, homemade mozzarella sticks are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. While you can always grab a bag of frozen ones from the store, nothing compares to the taste and texture of freshly prepared, hand-breaded cheese sticks fried to perfection.
In this blog post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make the best homemade fried mozzarella sticks—from the essential ingredients and prep techniques to tips for the ultimate crispy finish. You’ll also find out how to avoid the dreaded cheese blowout and get that ideal golden-brown coating every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Super Crispy Coating: Thanks to a three-step dredging process using flour, egg wash, and seasoned bread crumbs, the exterior comes out crunchy and golden.
🧀 Melted Mozzarella Core: That iconic cheese pull? It’s real. The hot oil melts the inside perfectly while keeping the outside crisp.
🕒 Quick and Easy: Ready in just 25 minutes, these cheese sticks don’t require special tools or tricky techniques.
🍅 Great for Dipping: Paired with warm marinara sauce, each bite is a mix of tangy, savory, and cheesy delight.
Ingredients Breakdown
Here’s what you’ll need to create these restaurant-quality mozzarella sticks at home. Each ingredient plays a key role in the flavor and texture:
🧀 Mozzarella Cheese Sticks (1 package – 16 ounces)
Use whole mozzarella sticks or string cheese. Choose a low-moisture variety to prevent excess melting and leakage during frying.
🥚 Eggs (2 large, beaten)
Eggs help bind the bread crumbs to the cheese, ensuring a thick, cohesive coating.
💧 Water (¼ cup)
A little water is mixed into the eggs to thin out the wash, making the dipping process easier.
🍞 Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs (1½ cups)
These crumbs offer an herby, flavorful crunch. You can also substitute with panko for extra crispiness.
🧂 Garlic Salt (½ teaspoon)
Adds flavor to the coating. You can use garlic powder and salt separately if needed.
🌾 All-Purpose Flour (⅔ cup)
The base layer that helps the egg wash stick. Without flour, the breading would slip off.
🌽 Cornstarch (⅓ cup)
Cornstarch lightens the flour coating, contributing to the crispy exterior.
🛢️ Frying Oil (about 2 cups)
Choose a neutral, high-smoke-point oil such as canola, vegetable, or peanut oil.
Equipment You’ll Need
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3 shallow bowls for the dredging process
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Heavy-bottomed saucepan or deep fryer
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Spider spoon or tongs for safe frying
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Paper towels for draining
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Wire rack (optional, but helps prevent sogginess after frying)
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Instant-read thermometer (to monitor oil temperature)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s break it down into easy-to-follow steps.
Step 1: Set Up Your Breading Station
You’ll need three shallow bowls:
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Bowl 1: Mix flour and cornstarch.
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Bowl 2: Whisk eggs and water together until fully combined.
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Bowl 3: Mix the Italian bread crumbs with garlic salt.
Arrange them in that order to streamline the coating process.
Step 2: Coat the Mozzarella
Take one mozzarella stick and coat it first in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess. Then dip it into the egg wash, allowing any extra liquid to drip off. Finally, press it firmly into the bread crumb mixture, ensuring it’s completely coated.
💡 Pro Tip: For an extra-crispy and sealed coating, double-dip the mozzarella by repeating the egg wash and bread crumb steps. This helps prevent cheese from leaking during frying.
Place each breaded stick on a tray or wire rack. Once all sticks are coated, refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes, or freeze for 15–20 minutes. This step is essential to help the breading set and the cheese firm up.
Step 3: Heat the Oil
Pour enough oil into a deep, heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven to submerge the sticks. You’ll need about 2 inches of oil. Heat the oil to 365°F (185°C)—a thermometer is ideal here.
If you don’t have a thermometer, test the oil by dropping in a small piece of breading. It should sizzle and turn golden in about 30 seconds.
Step 4: Fry the Cheese Sticks
Working in batches of 3–4 at a time, use tongs or a spider spoon to gently lower the mozzarella sticks into the hot oil. Fry for about 30 seconds or until they’re deep golden brown.
⚠️ Watch Closely: Over-frying can cause the cheese to leak. Remove the sticks promptly once they’re golden.
Transfer the fried sticks to a plate lined with paper towels to drain off excess oil. If using a wire rack, place the sticks there to stay crisp.
Repeat the frying process with the remaining sticks, letting the oil return to temperature between batches.
How to Serve Fried Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
These are best served hot and fresh. Arrange them on a platter with:
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Warm marinara sauce
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Garlic aioli
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Ranch dressing
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Spicy buffalo sauce
Garnish with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan for a gourmet touch.
Tips for Success
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Freeze Before Frying: This helps the coating stay intact and keeps the cheese from melting too quickly and oozing out.
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Double Coat for Extra Crunch: A second layer of egg wash and breadcrumbs helps prevent blowouts and adds crunch.
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Work in Batches: Don’t overcrowd the pan—this lowers the oil temperature and results in greasy, soggy cheese sticks.
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Use Dry Hands and Wet Hands Method: Keep one hand for dry ingredients and one for wet to avoid a sticky mess.
Storage & Reheating
🧊 Storing
Leftover mozzarella sticks can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Place parchment between layers to prevent sticking.
🔥 Reheating
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Oven/Air Fryer: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes until crispy.
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Avoid Microwaving: This makes the coating soggy and rubbery.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving – Approximate)
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Calories: 789
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Total Fat: 67g
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Saturated Fat: 13g
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Cholesterol: 83mg
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Sodium: 806mg
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Carbohydrates: 30g
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Dietary Fiber: 1g
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Protein: 19g
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Calcium: 483mg
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Iron: 2mg
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Potassium: 76mg
⚠️ Note: These values assume full use of breading and oil, but actual values may be slightly lower depending on absorption and coating retention.
Common Questions
❓ Can I bake these instead of frying?
You can, but the texture will be less crispy. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for about 10–12 minutes on a greased baking sheet, flipping halfway through.
❓ Can I air fry them?
Yes! Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (205°C) and cook for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway. Spray lightly with oil for even browning.
❓ Can I use a different type of cheese?
Mozzarella is the go-to for the stretchy texture, but provolone or a mild cheddar can also work. Just make sure the cheese is low-moisture.
Final Thoughts
There’s something undeniably nostalgic and satisfying about making and eating homemade mozzarella sticks. They’re the kind of snack that instantly transports you to your favorite diner or pizza joint—but even better, because you made them yourself.
Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or treating yourself to something indulgent, these cheese sticks are sure to deliver the crunch and cheese pull of your dreams. Once you try them fresh from your kitchen, you’ll never want to go back to frozen again.