Mozzarella Sticks {Fried Cheese}

Love going to your favorite restaurant and getting a big order of Mozzarella Sticks with the ooey gooey cheese? Maybe you call them Fried Cheese? Either way now you can make them at home! Hand breaded, fried to perfection. This will be you new favorite treat or party appetizer. Serve them with marinara to dip them in!

I don’t know about you, but I can’t resist ordering mozzarella sticks when we eat dinner out! Ooey-gooey fried cheese with that crispy coating – ugh, so good, right? Well, you don’t have to go out to get them because they are actually easy to make at home.

I’m pretty sure if you make a batch of homemade cheese sticks for your family and friends everyone will go nuts for them! They top the list of my family’s favorite snacks along with my jalapeno popper dip and four cheese pizza dunkers!

If you want to add a new snack to your appetizer recipes collection, I promise these homemade mozzarella sticks won’t disappoint. They’re so good you’ll skip them at the restaurant and just make them at home!

The Ingredients You’ll Need

Mozzarella sticks are all about the breading and there are lots of variations. My method includes panko breadcrumbs which are crispy and crunchy and a buttermilk egg wash that adds flavor but also holds the breading together.

All of these components make the BEST mozzarella sticks. The coating is extra crispy and full of flavor. Here’s everything you’ll need:

• String cheese
• Panko breadcrumbs
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper
• Egg
• Buttermilk
• All-purpose flour
• Cooking oil

If you don’t have buttermilk on hand you can make your own!

I love to use string cheese for this recipe because it’s all ready to go – you don’t have to slice block of cheese and try to make all the pieces even. Most cheese sticks will work so feel free to experiment! Colby jack, pepper jack and even cheddar cheese can be used to make cheese sticks.

How to Bread Mozzarella Sticks

Once you have your ingredients you will want to set up your bowls so it’s easy to bread all of the cheese.

• Combine the panko, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a shallow bowl.
• Add the flour to a separate shallow bowl.
• Whisk the buttermilk with the egg, salt, and pepper in another bowl.

Dip a cheese stick in the buttermilk mixture, then coat it in the flour.

Coat it in more buttermilk and then roll it in the breadcrumb mixture. You might need to gently press the breadcrumbs into the cheese so they stay on.

What Kind of Oil is Best for Frying?

Because you heat the oil to a high temperature the best oil for frying is one with a high smoke point. I use either vegetable oil or canola oil for deep frying. Both work great, but there are other options you can try, too!

How to Fry Cheese Sticks

Once you’ve breaded the cheese you will need to pop them in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes. Getting them really cold before you fry them will help them cook more evenly so you get perfectly gooey cheese with a crispy golden breadcrumb coating.

Use a heavy skillet and fill it with two inches of oil. I recommend that you use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor the heat. For best results, the temperature should be 350°F when you fry your mozzarella sticks.

If your oil is too cold the mozzarella sticks will absorb too much oil while they are cooking making them greasy. If it’s too hot, the breadcrumb coating will overcook or burn before the cheese is melted. So, keep an eye on the heat and adjust to maintain the temperature.

Once the oil is heated, carefully place the sticks in the hot oil. Fry them for two to three minutes, turning them frequently, until they are golden and crispy.

Transfer them from the oil to a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb the excess oil.

How to Serve Them

It might be tempting to just gobble them up, but I highly recommend adding a dipping sauce on the side!

We love marinara sauce and ranch dressing – sometimes I serve both so everyone has a choice. If you’re feeling fancy, go ahead and chop up some fresh parsley and sprinkle it over the top!

Expert Tips!

I know we’re not in school, but let’s review!

• Use string cheese to make this recipe easy! No slicing or guessing required – they are perfectly sized.
• Bread all of the sticks and then freeze them for a bit so they’re nice and cold. They will fry up perfectly!
• Use a high smoke point cooking oil like vegetable oil or canola oil.
• Monitor the temperature of the oil – 350°F is the perfect temperature for frying!
  

I cannot wait for you to try these homemade mozzarella sticks! They are such a fun snack and everyone always loves them. Want more delicious snack ideas? You should check out these, too!

• My Reuben Dip is just like the classic sandwich but served up as a creamy hot dip instead!
• We love Potato Skins and my version is loaded with bacon, cheddar, sour cream and green onions. They are perfect for any occasion like tailgating, holiday parties and more.
• My Cheesy Beer Smokies are a perfect party snack you can make in your crockpot. So easy and delicious!
• Learn how to make a Blooming Onion just like one you can get at a restaurant! It’s a crispy, delicious snack!
• No one can resist Jalapeno Poppers! This is an easy appetizer that is great for parties.
• For a fun and easy appetizer make my Air Fryer Ravioli! Crispy breaded ravioil are perfect for dunking in marinara!

Did you love this recipe? I knew you would! Rate it, please!! It would be awesome if you’d give it a five-star rating below! If you snap any photos, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats that way I’m sure to see your pictures!