Description
Crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside, these homemade mozzarella sticks are the ultimate appetizer or snack. Better than store-bought, they can be fried, baked, or air-fried to perfection and served with your favorite dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups plain Panko: for a light, crispy texture
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning: adds aromatic herb flavor
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley: enhances visual appeal and taste
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder: adds savory depth
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper: for balanced spice
- ¼ teaspoon table salt: essential for seasoning
- 2 large eggs: binds coating to cheese
- ½ cup all-purpose flour: helps egg adhere to cheese
- 1 lb whole milk mozzarella block or 15 whole milk string cheese: for a creamy, melty center
- Vegetable oil (for frying) or cooking spray (for baking/air frying)
- Marinara sauce: for dipping
Instructions
- Place panko in a Ziploc bag and crush slightly. Transfer to a shallow bowl and mix in Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, pepper, and salt.
- In a second bowl, beat the eggs. In a third bowl, add the flour.
- Cut the mozzarella block into 15 sticks or use string cheese.
- Coat each cheese stick in flour, then egg, then the seasoned panko. For extra crunch, repeat egg and panko coating.
- Place coated sticks on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Freeze for at least 1 hour to prevent cheese leakage during cooking.
- To fry: Heat oil in a pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry 2 sticks at a time until golden brown (about 1 minute). Drain on paper towels.
- To bake: Preheat oven to 415°F (210°C). Place sticks on foil-lined sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 10–15 minutes until golden.
- To air fry: Preheat to 390°F (200°C). Spray sticks and basket lightly with cooking spray. Air fry for 6–8 minutes, turning halfway through.
- Serve hot with warm marinara sauce or your favorite dip.
Notes
- Freezing before cooking is crucial to prevent cheese leakage.
- Use whole milk mozzarella for best melting and flavor.
- Double coat the sticks for extra crunch if desired.
- Monitor oil temperature using a thermometer for even frying.
- Make-ahead: freeze coated sticks in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Fried, Baked, or Air Fried
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mozzarella stick
- Calories: 138
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 281mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 46mg
Keywords: Mozzarella Sticks, Cheese Appetizer, Fried Cheese, Party Snacks, Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks, Homemade Mozzarella Sticks