Fried Mozzarella Cheese
Crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, these fried mozzarella sticks are a delicious appetizer or snack. The mozzarella is coated in seasoned breadcrumbs, deep-fried to golden perfection, and served with marinara sauce for dipping. Perfect for parties, game days, or just a cheesy treat!
Equipment
- Shallow bowls for breading
- Deep fryer or large skillet (for frying)
- Tongs or slotted spoon
- Paper towels (for draining)
- Knife and Cutting Board
- Plate or serving tray
Ingredients
- 12 oz block of mozzarella cheese cut into sticks or cubes
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 2 cups breadcrumbs preferably Italian-style
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the Mozzarella Sticks
- Cut the mozzarella cheese block into 1-inch thick sticks.
- Place the cheese sticks on a plate and freeze for at least 30 minutes. Freezing the cheese helps to keep it from melting too quickly while frying.
- Step 2: Set Up Breading Station
- In a shallow bowl, add the flour. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- In a second shallow bowl, beat the eggs and season with a pinch of salt.
- In a third shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Mix well.
- Step 3: Coat the Cheese Sticks
- Dip each frozen mozzarella stick into the flour, ensuring it's fully coated.
- Next, dip it into the egg mixture, making sure the stick is completely covered.
- Finally, coat the stick in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs stick.
- Repeat for all cheese sticks, then freeze the coated sticks for an additional 15-20 minutes to prevent the cheese from melting during frying.
- Step 4: Fry the Mozzarella Sticks
- In a deep fryer or large skillet, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully drop the breaded cheese sticks into the hot oil, a few at a time, ensuring they don’t touch each other. Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Fry the sticks for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on all sides.
- Use tongs or a slotted spoon to remove the mozzarella sticks from the oil. Place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
- Serve the fried mozzarella sticks immediately while they’re hot and gooey.
- Pair with a side of marinara sauce for dipping and enjoy!
Notes
✔ Freeze the cheese: Freezing the mozzarella before and after breading is crucial to prevent it from melting too quickly during frying.
✔ Breadcrumbs: If you don’t have Italian-style breadcrumbs, you can use regular breadcrumbs and season them with a bit of oregano and parsley for added flavor.
✔ Oil temperature: Make sure the oil stays around 350°F while frying. If the temperature drops too low, the cheese will melt out before the breadcrumbs can crisp up.
✔ For extra crunch: For an extra crispy coating, dip the cheese sticks in egg and breadcrumbs a second time before frying.
✔ Oven method: If you prefer to bake these, place the breaded mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for about 12-15 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
✔ Breadcrumbs: If you don’t have Italian-style breadcrumbs, you can use regular breadcrumbs and season them with a bit of oregano and parsley for added flavor.
✔ Oil temperature: Make sure the oil stays around 350°F while frying. If the temperature drops too low, the cheese will melt out before the breadcrumbs can crisp up.
✔ For extra crunch: For an extra crispy coating, dip the cheese sticks in egg and breadcrumbs a second time before frying.
✔ Oven method: If you prefer to bake these, place the breaded mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for about 12-15 minutes, or until golden and crispy.