Description
Crispy, golden homemade mozzarella sticks with a crunchy seasoned breadcrumb coating, served hot and melty on the inside. This recipe details how to bread and fry the cheese sticks perfectly for a delightful appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Cheese
- 12 sticks of mozzarella cheese (1-inch thick)
Bread Crumb Coating
- 1 1/2 cups Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Frying
- Vegetable oil, for frying (about 2-3 cups)
Instructions
- Prepare the cheese sticks: Cut mozzarella into sticks approximately 1-inch thick and 3 inches long. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps the coating stick better.
- Set up the breading stations: Place the flour in one shallow bowl. In a second bowl, whisk together eggs and milk until combined. In a third bowl, mix Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Bread the mozzarella sticks: Dip each cheese stick first into the flour, shaking off excess, then into the egg mixture, and finally coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture. For extra crunch, repeat dipping in the egg and breadcrumbs once more.
- Freeze the breaded sticks: Lay the breaded mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze for at least 1 hour to prevent cheese from melting too quickly during frying.
- Heat the oil: In a deep skillet or saucepan, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer for accurate temperature to ensure crispy texture without overcooking.
- Fry the sticks: Fry mozzarella sticks in batches, avoiding overcrowding, cooking each batch for about 1-2 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove using a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Serve hot: Serve immediately with marinara sauce or your preferred dipping sauce for best taste and melty cheesiness.
Notes
- Freezing the sticks before frying is essential to prevent cheese from leaking out during cooking.
- Use whole milk mozzarella for best flavor and melt.
- If you want a gluten-free version, substitute breadcrumbs and flour with gluten-free alternatives.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when frying; it lowers the oil temperature and results in greasy mozzarella sticks.
