Classic Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

Mozzarella Sticks are an easy, classic appetizer! Warm melted cheese is surrounded by savory breading and fried to crispy, golden perfection.

The secret to insanely crispy, gooey mozzarella sticks? Use the right cheese, double bread for extra crunch, and freeze them before frying—these three simple steps make all the difference!

Ingredient Tips

Use Firm Mozzarella: Opt for a block of whole milk mozzarella, not fresh mozzarella or string cheese, for the best ooey gooey melt.

Choose the Right Breadcrumbs: Finer Italian breadcrumbs create a crispier shell that holds the cheese in better than Panko.

Pick the Right Oil: Use a high smoke point oil like vegetable, canola, sunflower, peanut, or avocado for the crispiest results.

How to Make Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

Making mozzarella sticks at home is actually really easy! With a simple breading process and a quick fry, you’ll have perfectly crispy, cheesy bites. They taste even better than restaurant versions!

• Cut into Sticks: Slice the block of mozzarella cheese into 16 sticks that are roughly the same size.
• Combine: In a small bowl or shallow dish big enough to hold one of the cheese sticks, combine the eggs and milk.
• Breading Mixture: In another small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and parmesan cheese.
• Dip: Working one at a time, Dip each cheese stick in the egg mixture
• Breading: Then roll the egg-washed cheesestick into the breadcrumbs.
• Dip Again: Repeat the process for each mozzarella stick. Dip again in the egg wash.
• Bread Again and Freeze: Dip again in the breadcrumbs before transferring to a sheet pan. Continue until all of the cheese sticks are double coated. Lay the double-breaded cheese sticks out on a parchment-lined baking sheet or freezer-safe plate and place them in the freezer for at least an hour.
• Fry: Fill a large skillet with 1″-2″ of vegetable oil or use a deep fryer. Heat to 350ºF-365ºF over medium heat. Fry 3-4 mozzarella sticks at a time for 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Keep the oil at the right temperature for each batch. Serve immediately with marinara sauce if desired.

How to Store Leftover Mozzarella Sticks

One great thing about this recipe is that you can freeze leftovers! It’s such a quick and easy snack!

In the Freezer: For longer storage, freeze them on a baking sheet until solid. Then, transfer to a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 3 months.

In the Refrigerator: Store fried mozzarella sticks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheat: To keep them crispy when reheating, bake them in the oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes or air fry at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it can make them soggy.