Easy Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
Welcome to this recipe for Homemade Mozzarella Cheese Sticks! These crispy and gooey cheese sticks are the perfect appetizer or snack to satisfy your savory tooth cravings. Made with strips of mozzarella cheese coated in a crunchy breadcrumb mixture and fried until golden brown, these cheese sticks will surely be a hit with everyone.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups Panko Italian-style breadcrumbs , as needed
- 1 cup all-purpose , sifted
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper , divided
- 1 teaspoon paprika , divided
- 2 (16-ounce) blocks of pasteurized mozzarella cut into 4 by ½-inch sticks
- 4 large eggs , beaten
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ cups canola oil or vegetable oil
- 4 cups Homemade Marinara Sauce or store-bought
Instructions
- Stir the Panko Italian-style bread crumbs in a shallow dish, and set aside. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, paprika, and black pepper, and set aside. In another shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, salt, paprika, and ground black pepper.
- Working with 1 piece of mozzarella at a time, dredge in the flour mix, dip in egg mixture, allowing the excess egg to drip back into the bowl; coat in breadcrumbs mix.
- Repeat this process one more time by dipping in the egg mixture again, followed by dipping in the bread crumbs again (use one hand with the dry mixture and the other with the wet mixture).
- Place the cheese sticks on a baking sheet. Repeat dipping the cheese sticks in the egg and bread crumb mixture to coat a second time. Cover and freeze until frozen, about 2 hours, or up to overnight.
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat 350F ( I highly recommend a deep-frying thermometer). Working in batches, fry the cheese until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Remove the fried cheese to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Transfer to a serving plate and serve with the Homemade Marinara Sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
How to Store & Re-Heat
How to Freeze
- To store: Leftover cheese sticks can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To prevent them from sticking together, place a piece of parchment paper between each layer of cheese sticks.
- To reheat: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the cheese sticks on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until heated through and crispy. You can also reheat them in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute, but they may not be as crispy.
These Homemade Mozzarella Cheese Sticks can be made ahead of time, making them a great option for parties, gatherings, or any occasion where you want to serve a delicious snack without spending too much time in the kitchen. After coating the cheese sticks in the breadcrumb mixture, freeze them until they are firm, then store them in an airtight container or freezer bag until you are ready to use them. When you're ready to serve, fry them until golden brown and crispy, and they're ready to be enjoyed with your favorite dipping sauce. With this make-ahead option, you can enjoy freshly fried cheese sticks anytime you want without the hassle of preparing them from scratch.
First, to freeze mozzarella cheese sticks, arrange the uncooked and breaded cheese sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze the cheese sticks until solid, usually taking about 2 hours. Once the cheese sticks are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or airtight container. Label the container with the date and contents, and return it to the freezer.
When you're ready to cook the cheese sticks, heat up the oil in a frying pan and fry the frozen sticks until golden brown, which takes about 2-3 minutes. Avoid overcrowding the pan and fry in batches, if necessary. Once cooked, transfer the cheese sticks to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess oil. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
Amount per Serving
Calories
185
% Daily Value*
Fat
15
g
23
%
Saturated Fat
2
g
13
%
Trans Fat
0.1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
8
g
Monounsaturated Fat
3
g
Cholesterol
27
mg
9
%
Sodium
275
mg
12
%
Potassium
151
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
11
g
4
%
Fiber
1
g
4
%
Sugar
2
g
2
%
Protein
3
g
6
%
Vitamin A
224
IU
4
%
Vitamin C
3
mg
4
%
Calcium
23
mg
2
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
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