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    Home » Recipes » Appetizer Recipes

    Homemade Mozzarella Sticks with String Cheese

    Published: Sep 15, 2022 · Modified: Sep 30, 2022 by Fox Valley Foodie · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Homemade mozzarella sticks with string cheese

    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.

    Deep fried mozzarella sticks being stretched.

    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.

    Beer Battered Deep Fried Cheese Curds

    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.

    How to Make Homemade Mozzarella Sticks with string cheese.

    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!
    Deep fried mozzarella sticks being stretched

    Homemade Mozzarella Sticks with String Cheese

    Making homemade mozzarella sticks with string cheese is easy because the cheese is already perfect portioned! Just bread and deep fry to perfection!
    4.65 from 45 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Italian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 1 minute minute
    Total Time: 11 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 533kcal
    Author: Fox Valley Foodie

    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

    The cheese will melt fast so don't worry about the short fry time. If you over fry it the cheese will be too melted and unruly.
    Tip: To prevent the breadcrumbs from getting clumpy in the bowl I don't add the full amount right away. I keep adding fresh crumbs as I'm breading the sticks.
    It is best to use a vegetable oil with a high smoke point for frying. I use canola oil. 
    Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container. They are best reheated slowly in a 350 degree oven until the cheese is melted. 
    IF YOU LIKED THIS RECIPE you will love my Easy Cheese-Stuffed Breadsticks too!

    Nutritional Information

    Calories: 533kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 144mg | Sodium: 1527mg | Potassium: 146mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 234IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 184mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @FoxValleyFoodie or tag #foxvalleyfoodie!

    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.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Samantha Parrott

      April 26, 2018 at 8:06 am

      My names is Samantha,I just wanted to right to your company and make a suggestion. I was wondering what u would think about doing a deep fried pepperjack cheese stick. I was at home making homemade onion rings, and then I had some pepperjack cheese in my fridge so I grabbed it out of fridge and thought I wonder what this would taste like if I do poured in batter and deep fried it. I did it and it was so good, had that kick to it. So if I were u I'd give it a try.

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        April 26, 2018 at 8:09 am

        Thanks Samantha, I love pepperjack cheese, I have no doubt that would be fantastic!

        Reply
    2. Willow

      March 27, 2018 at 7:54 am

      1 star
      My daughter Jaycie and I made this. It was terrible. IDK what happend. THIS WAS GROSS! Do you know why? Plz answer. Thx.

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        March 27, 2018 at 8:00 am

        You'll have to give us more information before we can tell you what you did wrong. Can you please clarify exactly what issues you experienced?

        Reply
        • Willow

          March 27, 2018 at 5:13 pm

          There was cheese all over the place after frying!

          Reply
          • Fox Valley Foodie

            March 27, 2018 at 7:01 pm

            Ok that is an easy one. It just needed to be cooked less. If the oil temperature is too high, or it is left in the oil too long, it will become too melty and fall apart. Basically, like the recipe notes explained, if you over fry it the cheese will be too melted and unruly.

            Reply
    3. Mary

      January 23, 2018 at 4:37 pm

      2 stars
      The Illinois joke is in bad taste, just like this recipe. Shame on you.

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        January 23, 2018 at 5:34 pm

        I bet you're a hoot at parties.

        Reply
      • Jeff

        March 27, 2018 at 7:06 pm

        5 stars
        Lady, you are crazy. The joke is hilarious and the recipe is spot on!

        Reply
        • Deborah Case

          April 09, 2018 at 10:49 pm

          5 stars
          I agree!!

          Reply
    4. Natlaie

      August 26, 2017 at 6:39 pm

      Does it only severe 4 mozzarella sticks or does it severe more?

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        August 27, 2017 at 5:39 pm

        It depends on how much string cheese is in your 16 oz package. If your package has 12 sticks of cheese, it will make 12 mozzarella sticks.

        Reply
      • Arianne

        March 20, 2019 at 3:13 pm

        5 stars
        I dipped my cheese sticks in egg and then bread crumbs 2x and the crust came out perfect. Love how easy this is! Once you freeze them, are you supposed to fry them again to reheat or bake them?

        Reply
    5. BarcaBakes

      July 10, 2017 at 11:12 am

      Love Mozzarella sticks, but any other cheese you'd recommend. I love the texture of Mozzarella, but I find the flavor a little boring. Like something strong and punchy!

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        July 10, 2017 at 11:49 am

        Any of your favorite cheeses will work just fine. Provolone or brick cheese would be two mild alternatives that have a bit more flavor. They also melt nicely.

        Reply
    6. Matt Hut

      May 27, 2017 at 7:07 am

      5 stars
      Great Recipe! I used the link in my most recent blog post. Hope you don't mind!

      http://cateringforacrowd.com/food-ideas-for-a-graduation-party/

      Reply
    7. Nate

      May 13, 2017 at 11:46 pm

      4 stars
      Made this but instead of breadcrumbs I use Doritos crushed up, 900% better

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        May 17, 2017 at 9:42 am

        You sir are a genious.

        Reply
    8. Strawberry-wine-

      April 13, 2017 at 3:06 pm

      5 stars
      Fantastic idea thank you ever so much for sharing.

      Reply
    9. kate b

      April 08, 2017 at 3:38 am

      4 stars
      I used buttermilk instead of regular milk. And I added a little extra seasoning to the breadcrumbs. I think cheese is messy no matter how you fry it. Just keep your eye on it. Mine took less than a minute in the fryer. They tasted great

      Reply
    10. Juan cena

      February 13, 2017 at 9:28 pm

      5 stars
      A delectable sensation for my tastebuds!

      Reply
    11. Jessica @ Citrus Blossom Bliss

      December 29, 2016 at 12:47 pm

      I was looking for a fun and homemade appetizer for NYE and I think I've found just the thing! 🙂

      Reply
    12. Megan

      October 09, 2016 at 11:51 am

      I made these the exact way it says and it's **** terrible. The bread crumbs won't even stick to the cheese stick even if we manage by some miracle to get it to stay it cooks the crumbs off! And we end up with a melted cheese blob!

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        October 09, 2016 at 12:17 pm

        I'm sorry it didn't turn out for you. Breading and deep frying can certainly be a challenge for many people. Dipping deep fried food in an egg wash then breadcrumbs is a tried and true practice that has been around forever. I recommend giving it a little practice and you'll get it. It sounds like your breadcrumbs may have gotten soggy, I've found they don't coat as well if they aren't dry. Also be sure you are letting the egg wash drip off so globs of it don't come off in the breadcrumbs.

        Reply
        • Tabitha L Cook

          August 21, 2019 at 9:50 am

          Thanks for the tips! I suck at this frying thing

          Reply
    13. Melody

      September 02, 2016 at 11:21 am

      Yum these look simply delicious!! Thank you for this! ?

      Reply
    14. diane gardiner

      June 29, 2016 at 3:25 pm

      can you freeze for later and how long will they freeze, the cheese sticks

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        June 30, 2016 at 2:58 pm

        Yes, you can freeze them. I suspect they would last quite a while in the freezer if stored properly.

        Reply
    15. Danielle

      May 17, 2016 at 3:21 pm

      Can you premake these and freeze them for later?

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        May 17, 2016 at 3:26 pm

        Yes, that would work well. Freezing would also help prevent the cheese from overcooking too quickly.

        Reply
    16. Nancy

      April 16, 2016 at 10:45 pm

      5 stars
      Made these tonight as an appetizer to an Italian dinner. Wow, they're amazing. I cut the string cheese sticks in half before breading them. Didn't change the recipe at all, but it made it easier to dip without double dipping in some marinara sauce. My family loved this recipe! Will make again for sure!

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        April 17, 2016 at 7:35 am

        Fantastic! I am glad it worked out for you! Cutting the sticks in half was a great idea too 🙂

        Reply
        • April

          August 20, 2019 at 7:06 pm

          Can you just dip the cheese in the egg and bread crumb once?

          Reply
          • Fox Valley Foodie

            August 22, 2019 at 7:42 am

            Probably, but the coating will be thinner and may not stay on as well.

            Reply
    17. Ashleigh

      March 16, 2016 at 2:28 pm

      These turned out perfect!simple and delicious!

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        March 16, 2016 at 2:31 pm

        Fantastic! Thanks for the feedback!

        Reply
    18. Pepper Dasnee

      March 08, 2016 at 7:06 pm

      4 stars
      Looks perfect!!! I want to make this 🙂

      Reply
    19. Kylie C

      July 28, 2015 at 12:29 am

      This sounds perfect,.. But I wonder if I could bake them to make it a little healthier?

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        July 28, 2015 at 9:08 am

        Yes, there are recipes for baked mozzarella sticks. Bake at 350 degrees for 5-6 minutes. Though, if I am eating a big stick of cheese I figure in for a penny, in for a pound! 🙂

        Reply
      • dad

        May 28, 2019 at 4:05 pm

        why would you bake them. it kills the flavor!

        Reply
    20. theartinpartyplanning

      July 19, 2015 at 11:35 am

      What a great appetizer idea! I feel like I've been in an appetizer rut this summer! This will help change it up! Thanks!

      Reply
      • Fox Valley Foodie

        July 19, 2015 at 11:56 am

        Fantastic! I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
      • Kevin Furlong

        November 03, 2019 at 10:07 am

        "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."

        Amen. I'm gonna be deep frying this recipe later on. Thanks for the recipe and tips!

        Reply
    Newer Comments »
    4.65 from 45 votes (17 ratings without comment)

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