Fried Mozzarella Sticks with Marinara Sauce Recipe
Crispy, golden fried mozzarella sticks coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and served with marinara sauce for dipping. This classic appetizer combines the gooey melt of string-cheese mozzarella with a crunchy double-breaded coating, perfect for parties or a delicious snack.
- Prep Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: About 12-14 mozzarella sticks
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Cheese 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
- Prepare Cheese Sticks: Remove wrappers from the string cheese and keep refrigerated until ready to bread.
- Set Up Breading Stations: Line up 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 freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bread the Cheese Sticks: Working a few at a time, dip each cheese stick into the flour mixture, shaking off excess, then into the egg mixture, shaking off excess again. Next, coat with the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat by dipping once more into the egg then again into the breadcrumb mixture to fully coat each stick.
- Freeze the Breaded Sticks: Lay the coated mozzarella sticks on a parchment-lined sheet tray or pan. Freeze them for at least two hours, or longer if desired. This step is crucial to prevent the cheese from melting too quickly during frying.
- Prepare for Frying: Preheat your oven to 250°F to keep cooked cheese sticks warm between batches. In a heavy-bottomed pan or cast iron skillet, pour enough vegetable oil to reach about 1.5 inches deep and heat it to 350°F. Maintain this temperature throughout cooking for best results.
- Fry the Mozzarella Sticks: Fry 4-5 sticks at a time for 60-90 seconds until golden brown and crispy. Remove them with a spider or slotted strainer and drain on paper towels. Keep the fried sticks warm in the preheated oven while you finish frying the rest.
- Serve: Serve the hot, crispy mozzarella sticks with your favorite marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Freezing the breaded sticks before frying is essential to prevent cheese leakage during frying.
- Maintain oil temperature at 350°F to avoid greasy or burnt mozzarella sticks.
- You can prepare and freeze the breaded sticks days in advance for convenience.
- Serve immediately after frying for the best texture and gooey center.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pan or cast iron skillet for consistent heat distribution when frying.
