Fried Mozzarella Sticks with Marinara Dipping Sauce Recipe
Crispy, golden on the outside and melty mozzarella cheese on the inside, these Fried Mozzarella Sticks are a perfect appetizer or snack. Breaded with a flavorful combination of Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs and Parmesan, then deep-fried to a crisp and served with marinara sauce for dipping, they’re irresistible and easy to make with just a few simple steps and some freezer time.
- Prep Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: About 12-16 mozzarella sticks
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Mozzarella Sticks
- 1 pound string-cheese mozzarella sticks, removed from wrappers
Breading Mixtures
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 4 whole eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 cups Italian breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon dry basil
- 1 teaspoon dry oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
For Frying and Serving
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Marinara sauce, for dipping (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- Prep the Cheese Sticks: Remove wrappers from the string cheese sticks and keep them refrigerated until ready to bread.
- Prepare Breading Stations: Arrange three wide bowls. In the first bowl, combine flour, kosher salt, white pepper, and corn starch. In the second bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. In the third bowl, mix Italian breadcrumbs, dry basil, dry oregano, garlic powder, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bread the Cheese Sticks: Dip a few cheese sticks at a time first into the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Then dip into the egg and milk mixture, shaking off excess. Roll in the breadcrumb mixture thoroughly. Repeat by dipping again into the egg mixture and then coat again with breadcrumbs to ensure a full crust.
- Freeze the Breaded Sticks: Place the double-breaded mozzarella sticks on a parchment-lined tray or baking sheet. Freeze for at least two hours (or longer if preferred) to ensure they hold their shape during frying. You can prepare these up to several days ahead and keep frozen until ready to fry.
- Preheat and Prepare to Fry: Preheat your oven to 250°F to keep cooked cheese sticks warm while frying batches. Heat vegetable oil in a heavy, deep pan or cast iron skillet to 350°F, maintaining this temperature throughout cooking for crisp, non-greasy results.
- Fry the Mozzarella Sticks: Fry 4-5 breaded sticks at a time for about 60-90 seconds or until golden brown. Use a spider or strainer to remove them and drain on paper towels. Keep fried sticks warm in the preheated oven while frying remaining batches.
- Serve: Serve hot fried mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce for dipping and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Ensure the oil is maintained at 350°F to avoid greasy or overly dark sticks.
- Freezing the breaded sticks is essential to keep their shape and prevent cheese leakage during frying.
- You can prepare the breaded sticks ahead and store them in the freezer for up to a week before frying.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pan like cast iron for better oil temperature control.
- Serve immediately for best texture and melty cheese center.
