Crispy Homemade Mozzarella Sticks (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ For the Coating

01 - 1½ cups plain panko breadcrumbs, finely crushed
02 - ½ teaspoon dried Italian herb blend
03 - ½ teaspoon dried parsley flakes
04 - ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
05 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
06 - ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

→ For the Breading Station

07 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
08 - ½ cup all-purpose flour

→ Main Ingredients

09 - 1 pound block of whole milk mozzarella cheese (or 15 string cheese sticks)
10 - Neutral oil for deep frying (vegetable or canola)
11 - Warm marinara sauce for serving

# Instructions:

01 - Place the panko breadcrumbs in a sealed plastic bag and gently crush them with a rolling pin until they're finely ground. Transfer to a shallow dish and mix in the Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt until well combined.
02 - Crack the eggs into a shallow bowl and whisk them thoroughly until smooth. Place the flour in another shallow dish. Arrange all three dishes in a line for easy assembly.
03 - If using a mozzarella block, slice it crosswise into 15 evenly-sized sticks, each about 3-4 inches long and ½ inch thick.
04 - Working with one stick at a time, first coat it completely in flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, roll it in the seasoned breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the coating adheres well and covers the entire surface.
05 - Arrange the breaded sticks on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Place in the freezer for at least 1 hour to firm up the coating. For longer storage, transfer to an airtight container after the first hour and keep frozen until ready to cook.
06 - Fill a medium saucepan with oil to a depth of 3 inches. Attach a candy thermometer to the side, ensuring it doesn't touch the bottom. Heat over medium flame until the oil reaches exactly 350°F (175°C).
07 - Working in small batches of 2 sticks at a time, carefully lower the frozen mozzarella sticks into the hot oil. Fry for about 1 minute until they turn a beautiful golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Allow the oil to return to temperature between batches.
08 - Serve the hot, crispy mozzarella sticks right away with warm marinara sauce for dipping. The cheese inside should be perfectly melted and stretchy!

# Notes:

01 - These mozzarella sticks can be made ahead and frozen for up to 3 months. No need to thaw before cooking - just add an extra minute to the cooking time.
02 - For oven baking: Preheat to 415°F, place on foil-lined baking sheet, spray with cooking oil, and bake 10-15 minutes until golden.
03 - For air fryer: Cook at 390°F for 6-8 minutes, spraying with oil and flipping halfway through.
04 - The key to preventing cheese leakage is ensuring the sticks are completely frozen before cooking and maintaining proper oil temperature.

Back