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Crispy and Gooey Homemade Mozzarella Cheese Sticks You Need to Try

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Learn how to make delicious Homemade Mozzarella Cheese Sticks. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 12 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into sticks about 3 inches long and 1/2 inch thick
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or whole wheat pastry flour for a nuttier flavor)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 1/2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs (or panko for extra crunch)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for a little warmth)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Vegetable oil or canola oil, for frying (about 4 cups)
  • Marinara sauce, for serving (homemade or store-bought)

Instructions

  1. Start by cutting your fresh mozzarella into sticks. I like to make them about 3 inches long and half an inch thick so they hold together well when frying. Set them on a parchment-lined tray and pop them in the freezer for at least 1 hour. This step is key, just like Mama Lu would say—patience is part of the secret.
  2. Prepare your breading stations. In one shallow bowl, place the flour. In a second bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until smooth. In a third bowl, mix the Italian breadcrumbs with garlic powder, oregano, basil, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. This herby mix brings back memories of the wild herbs Mama Lu used to gather from her garden.
  3. Take the frozen mozzarella sticks one by one and dredge them in the flour, making sure every surface is coated. Shake off the excess.
  4. Dip the floured cheese sticks into the egg mixture, coating them completely.
  5. Roll them in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the crumbs stick well. For a thicker crust, repeat the egg and breadcrumb step once more, just like Mama Lu’s double-dipped cornbread crusts.
  6. Place the breaded sticks back on a parchment-lined tray and freeze again for at least 30 minutes. This extra chill helps keep the cheese from oozing out too fast when frying.
  7. Heat about 2 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet or deep fryer to 350°F. Use a thermometer to keep things steady—Mama Lu always said, “steady heat makes the best crust.”
  8. Carefully fry the cheese sticks in batches for about 1 to 2 minutes, turning gently until golden brown. Don’t overcrowd the pan, or the oil temperature will drop and your sticks will get soggy.
  9. Use a slotted spoon to remove the sticks and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
  10. Serve hot with a side of warm marinara sauce. Sit back, take that first bite, and savor the melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

Find it online: https://claracooking.com/homemade-mozzarella-cheese-sticks/