Dinner

Crispy Homemade Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

Byluca Carter November 21, 2025November 21, 2025

Introduction

Golden, crispy, and utterly irresistible, homemade mozzarella sticks are a perfect snack or appetizer. With a flavorful seasoned breadcrumb coating and gooey melted cheese inside, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.

A white plate holds nine golden brown, crispy fried mozzarella sticks with a visible crunchy texture from the seasoned breading; one mozzarella stick is broken open, showing melted white cheese stretching inside. Next to the sticks, a small white bowl is filled with thick red marinara sauce with visible herbs and tomato bits. A woman's hand dips one mozzarella stick into the sauce. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

200g low moisture mozzarella
Neutral oil for deep frying

90g plain flour (all purpose flour)
Pinch of salt

150ml cold water
100g panko breadcrumbs

1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp chilli flakes (optional)

1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Cut the block of mozzarella into even sticks, about just over 1cm thick for the best size.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and cold water until you have a smooth batter.

Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs with oregano, basil, chilli flakes (if using), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
Step 4: Prepare your dredging station with the mozzarella sticks, flour batter, seasoned breadcrumbs, and a wire rack.
Step 5: Dunk each mozzarella stick into the flour batter, tossing gently with a fork, and allow excess batter to drip off.

Step 6: Coat the battered mozzarella sticks in the seasoned breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure even coverage, then place them on the wire rack.
Step 7: Let the coated sticks rest on the wire rack for 10 minutes to help the coating set.
Step 8: Repeat the batter and breadcrumb coating one more time for a double layer, then rest again on the wire rack for another 10 minutes.

Step 9: Place the mozzarella sticks spaced out on a lined baking tray and freeze for at least 2 hours. After freezing, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag and store for up to 3 months.
Step 10: When ready to fry, heat oil in a saucepan to 190°C (375°F). Prepare a tray lined with paper towels and a wire rack for draining.
Step 11: Fry the mozzarella sticks in batches of about three to keep the oil temperature steady. Fry until golden and crispy, which takes only a short time.

Step 12: Remove with a slotted spoon, drain on the wire rack, and serve immediately with your favorite tomato or marinara sauce.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add some grated Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb mixture.
Use fresh herbs like chopped parsley or basil in the breadcrumb mix for a bright, fresh taste.

Try using a spicy dipping sauce or ranch dressing alongside your marinara for variety.
Double coating helps prevent cheese from leaking out and creates an amazing, crispy crust.

Storage

Store the coated mozzarella sticks in the freezer for up to 3 months in an airtight bag. When ready to enjoy, fry them straight from frozen for best results. Leftover fried sticks are best eaten immediately but can be reheated in a hot oven for a few minutes to regain crispness.

How to Serve

A white plate holds six golden-brown breaded mozzarella sticks with a crispy texture. In the center behind the sticks, there is a white bowl filled with chunky red marinara sauce. Two woman's hands are pulling apart one mozzarella stick, stretching melted white cheese between the two separated pieces. The scene is set on a white marbled surface, and the background shows a person wearing a striped shirt. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I bake mozzarella sticks instead of frying?

While frying gives the crispiest coating, you can bake them at 220°C (425°F) on a lined tray for about 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through, but the texture will be less crunchy.

How do I prevent the cheese from leaking during frying?

Ensure you double coat the mozzarella sticks and freeze them thoroughly before frying. This seals the cheese inside and prevents it from bursting out when cooked.