If you are looking to learn how to make homemade mozzarella sticks, you've come to the right place. Although traditional mozzarella cheese can be used, it is easiest to make with perfectly portioned sticks of string cheese and is ready to be enjoyed in 10 minutes.
You know what I absolutely crave when it is hot and muggy outside, and my house feels like a sauna? Deep fried food! Well, not typically, but Tuesday I was absolutely ravenous for some good ol' deep fried Wisconsin cheese! Cheese is to Wisconsin what corruption is to Illinois... we couldn't function without it. It's practically our state vitamin.
Heck, Wisconsin's deep fried cheese curds look like over-sized vitamins, and they sure make me feel a lot better! If you like making your own homemade mozzarella sticks, you HAVE to check out my Beer Battered Deep Fried Cheese Curds recipe too!
What Are Mozzarella Sticks
Mozzarella sticks are a popular deep fried appetizer consisting of long slices of mozzarella cheese which are coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and fried until golden brown and melted inside. Mozzarella sticks are most commonly served with marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.
Can I make Mozzarella Sticks with String Cheese?
Yes, making homemade mozzarella sticks with string cheese is not a difficult proposition, particularly if you take advantage of the fact that string cheese is already in perfectly portioned sticks ready to fry! All you need to do is coat them in a breadcrumb mixture and dunk them in oil! You can even make Doritos Mozzarella Sticks if you are feeling crazy!
I use Italian breadcrumbs to make this an easy recipe, since they already contain seasoning. However, you can substitute regular bread crumbs if needed, and just add Italian seasoning to taste. You could even add black pepper and garlic powder to the bread crumb mixture.
Can I bake mozzarella sticks?
Yes, you can make homemade mozzarella sticks without frying, by baking them in the oven. However, I find baked mozzarella sticks have a higher risk of error since you can't monitor their cooking as closely. You are more likely to end up with melted white blobs than stretchy homemade cheese sticks!
Not to mention, baked mozzarella sticks aren't all that healthy either. You are still chowing down on big sticks of breaded cheese. Might as well fry them in oil, get better flavor, and have a better chance of them cooking to perfection.
If you still wish to attempt baked mozzarella sticks I recommend freezing the cheese prior to breading and baking them in a 450-degree oven until golden brown and the cheese threatens to ooze out. Freezing the cheese buys you a little more time before you have a melted disaster. Just make sure you use a rimmed baking sheet so the melting string cheese sticks don't drip to the bottom of the oven.
How to Make Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
If you don't have a deep fryer, and I don't, I recommend using a cast iron fryer. It has deep walls which is perfect for containing and oil threatening to splatter over, and the heavy nature of cast iron is perfect for maintaining a steady temperature. All of my deep frying is done exclusively in this.
Use your digital thermometer to monitor the frying oil temperature. The oil temperature will drop after adding the initial batch of breaded mozzarella sticks, so I typically increase the heat of my burner after I start frying, or raise my initial frying temperature a little over 365 to compensate for the impending drop.
For best results, it is a good idea to do a test batch with a single stick to get an idea of how quickly your mozzarella sticks will cook. If you see the gooey cheese oozing out, they are overcooking and should be removed immediately with a slotted spoon.
Once your delicious fried cheese sticks are done bathing in hot oil, place them on a paper towel-lined baking sheet to soak up the grease. Then serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
More classic bar appetizers
- Chicken wings - can be baked in the oven!
- Homemade French fries - as good as your favorite restaurant!
- Fried green tomatoes - A southern classic!
- Burger Sliders - Perfect for a crowd!
Homemade Mozzarella Sticks with String Cheese
Equipment
- 1 Tall sided skillet
Ingredients
- 16 ounces string cheese
- 1 ½ cups Italian breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Oil for frying
- Marinara for dipping
Instructions
- Fill a tall-sided heavy skillet with a couple of inches of oil and heat to 365 degrees.
- Whisk together milk and egg in a bowl.
- Add breadcrumbs to a separate bowl.
- Dip mozzarella string cheese in the beaten eggs, then breadcrumbs, then add a second coating by dipping the cheese sticks in the egg mixture again and breadcrumbs again.
- Deep fry the coated mozzarella sticks in batches until the crust is golden brown, about 1 minute.
- Remove from fryer and let drain on paper towels, then serve with marinara sauce.
Notes
Nutritional Information
If you enjoyed reading my homemade mozzarella sticks recipe then you should probably like me on Facebook and follow me on Pinterest too. That’s what I would do at least, because if you don’t get to know me but you still use my recipe it is kind of like taking candy from a stranger, and your mom taught you not to do that. Don’t disobey your mom, subscribe to Fox Valley Foodie today.
This recipe was originally published on FoxValleyFoodie.com July 15, 2015.
Windber Brandt
I have not made these YET, but I'm interested. I was curious regarding the aspect of freezing the cheese sticks before coating and frying. Does that help in any way? And does that mean the fry time or temperature should be adjusted? Any help offered would be appreciated. Thank you.
Destiny
If you use panko grind them in a spice grinder. They stick better.
Sherry BeAndrews
Can you make the mozzarella sticks and put them in the air fryer? Asking for a friend? Lol
Nanajee Travels
If you’re eager to learn how to make homemade mozzarella sticks, this blog is spot-on! Using string cheese for perfectly portioned sticks simplifies the process and makes it quick—ready to enjoy in just 10 minutes. It’s a great guide for anyone looking to whip up this delicious treat with ease.
cheese dicks good
love me some breaded cheese dicks! 🥰 nice to oil them up too like recipe says. u have many experience I can tell
Lynn
Was this a misspelling?
Czon D. Chicken-becky
Good recipe. I recommend freezing the sticks, coat in egg wash, flour, egg wash again and THENNNN your breading (shake and bake works great or seasoned slightly smashed panko works as well) Its the exact same process as anything else, chicken especially (minus the freezing)
Also...damn this comment section needs to be cleaned up.
Toots F. Artstaine
I farted so much from this recipe
Laurie
The lady that said the bread crumbs washed off,it happened to me also,I wiped the cheese with a dry paper towel and it didn't happen again. Good luck. This recipe was awesome and cheaper than buying the ready made mozzarella sticks.
Brie
Hey yall so the only way I found to actually use cheese sticks is to have flour added as well then frozen for 15 to 20 mins
Take cheese sticks place in flour then egg wash then crumbs the flour puts a coat on the cheese to it adheres to something. Then you must freeze them for a little bit to have the coating settle before frying. All cheesesticks are frozen preferred then frozen again for sale I work at a restaurant and this is how we make our hope this helps
Kali
This really helped me learn how to make them
jacob wodz
thank you so much for your insightful comment i appreciate it greatly, have a good day.
Arlene Cole
If you want folks to understand what you're saying, use proper punctuation.
You’re mom
Don’t be a dick Arlene
Sophia
Thank you
Neicey
Do or did you add milk W/ this recipe. I love me some mozzarella cheese sticks!
Haywood Jablowme
This recipe sucks. The breadcrumbs wash off the cheese when you put them in the egg was a 2nd time. It’s really difficult to get any of the bread crumbs to stick to the cheese at all.
bob
mmmmmm yaaasss kweeen mmmmmm oh yeah daddy
Jesse
Great recipe now I'm going to eat your ass 💪😎
Nutflix69
😩🤤🥵 yes please daddy! LOL
Renee
Honestly this was great. I literally just lightly coated the cheese sticks with a bit of corn starch before doing the egg wash and bread crumb process and I had no issues at all. I did not need to freeze them or anything.
Robert
Ohhh my~
Cloudii Missii
This was my first time frying something and OMG it taste so good {I sound like a child} anyways have a nice day!