Homemade Mozzarella Sticks – Extra Crispy
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Sep. 25, 2024
These Homemade Mozzarella Sticks are the perfect finger food. You will love the extra crispy coating that gives way to melted mozzarella cheese encased by a beautifully crisp exterior.
In This Article
- Video: watch us make this Recipe
- Why This Recipe Stands Out
- Key Recipe Ingredients
- Substitutions And Variations
- Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- How To Prep Ahead
- What To Serve With Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
- Commonly Asked Questions
- Did you make this?
- Homemade Mozzarella Sticks - Extra Crispy Recipe
- More to Cook And Eat
This post may contain affiliate links, at no additional cost to you.
Video: watch us make this Recipe
Why This Recipe Stands Out
We all love mozzarella sticks, but there’s something about homemade ones that makes them extra special. Here’s why this recipe works:
- Restaurant Quality: These mozzarella sticks are just as good as what you’d get at your favorite restaurant, if not better!
- Extra Crispy: The panko breading gives these mozzarella sticks an extra crispy texture that we can’t get enough of, as it does in our Panko Breaded Pork Chops!
- Melted Cheese: Flash-freezing the cheese keeps it from falling apart in hot oil. The result is perfectly melted mozzarella in every bite.
- Perfect Finger Food: These mozzarella sticks are a guaranteed hit at any gathering. They’re one of the best party foods, just like our Extra Crispy Smashed Potatoes!
- Kids Love Them: The hubby and kids devour these. It’s one of our favorite appetizer recipes.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- String Cheese – We use 16 mozzarella string cheese sticks for this recipe; you can also cut similar-sized sticks from a block of mozzarella cheese.
- Panko Bread Crumbs – Panko bread crumbs are the secret to achieving an extra crispy coating. They are lighter and flakier than regular bread crumbs, and they give our mozzarella sticks a satisfying crunch.
- Eggs and Milk – We use a mixture of beaten eggs and whole milk to help the bread crumbs adhere to the cheese sticks. This ensures that the coating stays on during frying, giving you that perfect crunch in every bite.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are our favorite substitutions and variations for delicious homemade mozzarella sticks:
- Spices: You can play around with the spices in the breading. Try adding smoked paprika for a smoky flavor or cayenne pepper for some heat.
- Herbs: If you’re a fan of herbs, you can add some freshly chopped herbs to the breadcrumb mixture. We think basil would be delicious in these mozzarella sticks. If you love basil, try our Bruschetta Pasta.
- Gluten-Free: If you’re gluten-free, you can use gluten-free all-purpose flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Mix eggs and milk in a bowl. In another bowl, combine panko with spices.
- Roll cut mozzarella sticks in flour, followed by egg mixture, and press on the panko mixture.
- Place mozzarella sticks in the freezer – this helps the exterior brown a bit slower, while allowing cheese to melt within!
- Cook frozen mozzarella sticks until golden brown. It’s fine if a bit of cheese escapes from the coating.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our favorite prep ahead tips and strategies:
- Coat and Freeze: You can easily follow all the steps to coat the mozzarella sticks in flour, egg mixture, and panko breadcrumbs. Once coated, place them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper and store them in the freezer. Once they are frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer bag. This way, you can have a batch ready to fry at a moment’s notice.
- Make Ahead: The fully cooked mozzarella sticks can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply reheat them in the oven to restore their crispy texture. This makes them perfect for meal prepping or for making ahead for a party.
What To Serve With Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
Sauces and Dips
- Serve your mozzarella sticks with your favorite marinara sauce. The acidity of the marinara cuts through the richness of the cheese, balancing the flavors perfectly.
- Restaurant-Style Blender Salsa also goes incredibly well with these mozzarella sticks!
- They’re also great with other family favorites such as ranch dressing or even Roasted Garlic Hummus!
Main Dishes
- You can’t go wrong with a cheese sticks and pizza combo! You’ll love our Deep Dish Chicago Style Pizza.
- Looking for pizza flavors but with a twist? Try our One Pot Pizza Pasta or these delicious Pizza Quesadillas!
- They’re also delicious with these Teriyaki Burgers and Mexican Cheeseburgers!
Side Dishes
- Serve your extra crispy mozzarella sticks alongside other family favorite sides such as these Easiest Garlic Cheese Bread.
- We also love serving it with our Best Creamy Caesar Salad Recipe!
Commonly Asked Questions
How do you keep mozzarella sticks from melting and oozing in the fryer?
The key is to flash-freeze the coated mozzarella sticks for at least 30 minutes before frying. This helps the cheese to stay intact and not melt too quickly when it hits the hot oil.
Can I use regular breadcrumbs instead of Panko?
While you can use regular breadcrumbs, we highly recommend using Panko for this recipe. Panko gives the mozzarella sticks an extra crispy texture that you just can’t achieve with regular breadcrumbs.
What type of oil is best for frying?
We recommend using peanut oil for frying. It has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, which makes it perfect for deep-frying. However, you can also use other high-smoke-point oils like canola or vegetable oil.
How long do homemade mozzarella sticks keep?
Homemade mozzarella sticks are best enjoyed fresh and hot. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Simply reheat them in the oven for a few minutes to restore their crispiness.
Did you make this?
Please give us a rating and comment below. We love hearing from you!
Homemade Mozzarella Sticks – Extra Crispy
If you are a cheese fan and enjoy a good crunch, you'll really appreciate these Homemade Mozzarella Sticks, made with Panko breadcrumbs for an extra crispy exterior.
Ingredients
- 16 sticks mozzarella string cheese
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ¼ cup whole milk
- 2 cups Panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 TB dried oregano
- oil, for frying, peanut oil is a great option
- Marinara sauce, for dipping
Instructions
- Place flour in a small dish. Set aside.
- In a bowl, mix together the eggs and milk. Set aside.
- In another bowl, combine panko bread crumbs with garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and oregano. Set aside.
- Cut mozzarella sticks into halves. Roll a piece of mozzarella in flour, dip into egg mixture, and roll well in panko mixture. Press crumbs in place so mozzarella stick is fully coated. Continue until all pieces are well coated.
- Place coated mozzarella sticks on a wax-lined baking sheet and put in freezer for at least 30 minutes. (The flash-freezing is important in keeping cheese from falling apart in hot oil.)
- Pour enough oil to fill a heavy, medium sized sauce pan one-third to halfway up. Over medium high heat, get oil to 365F – use a frying thermometer.
- Remove frozen mozzarella sticks and cook a few pieces – don't crowd – at a time, keeping oil temp at 365F throughout cooking process. Turn heat up or down as needed.
- Cook about 25-30 seconds, turning mozzarella sticks until they are an even golden brown. Drain on paper towel-lined serving plate. Continue until entire batch is made. Serve with your favorite marinara sauce and enjoy while hot!
Equipment
Notes
- Try not to let cheese leak too much while cooking, but if a few little bubbles of cheese are fine.
- Flash-freezing the coated mozzarella sticks for at least 30 minutes is crucial. It keeps the cheese from melting too quickly when frying, giving you that perfect gooey center and crispy exterior.
- Peanut oil is a great choice for frying as it can withstand high temperatures without smoking. This ensures that your mozzarella sticks are cooked to golden perfection without any burnt oil flavors.
- Maintaining the oil at 365F is important. This allows the sticks to cook evenly, preventing them from becoming soggy or burnt.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook a few pieces at a time, so the oil temperature stays consistent and the sticks cook evenly.
- Serve your mozzarella sticks with your favorite marinara sauce. The acidity of the marinara cuts through the richness of the cheese, balancing the flavors perfectly.
- These homemade mozzarella sticks are great alongside other easy party appetizers such as our Buffalo Chicken Wings and Air Fryer French Fries.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 60kcal | Carbohydrates: 7.2g | Protein: 6.1g | Fat: 0.7g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 14.4mg | Sodium: 160.2mg | Fiber: 0.7g | Sugar: 0.8g
More to Cook And Eat
- The Best Guacamole Recipe – This guacamole recipe is authentic and so easy, with bold and zesty flavors that will dazzle your taste buds.
- Jalapeño Popper Party Dip – This Jalapeño Popper Party Dip is just what the party or game day calls for. It’s crispy, cheesy, kicked-up, and pretty much ensures an empty bowl at the end of the night.
- Caramelized Onion Dip – This Caramelized Onion Dip recipe is super easy to make and is a crowd favorite. This party dip loves to show up on game days, holidays, and gatherings.
- Easy Crostini – Salty, sweet, creamy, and crunchy, this easy crostini recipe is an easy appetizer recipe for any reason throughout the year.