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.
Servings: 32
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