Homemade Mozzarella Sticks with marinara sauce Recipe are perfect for a party or game day. Gooey and melty on the inside and golden and crunchy on the outside, they’re absolutely addictive!
Last Halloween, I decided to give out individually-packaged string cheese instead of the traditional Twix or KitKat as treats for the tricksters passing by on Ghoul’s night. But instead of an excited “woohoo, I got cheese” and the quick wave of thanks I expected, the goblin-masked and Ninja turtle-dressed little boogers wouldn’t budge from our doorstep, steadfastly standing there with hands still outstretched and a “that’s it?” look on their faces.
After a while of this, I eventually caved in and reluctantly parted ways with the Dove chocolates I was hiding for/from myself. The well-intentioned mozzarella cheese sticks ended up in the dim recess of the freezer, forgotten until yesterday when I gave them new life as homemade mozzarella sticks with a marinara sauce for dipping.
Ingredient notes
- For convenience, I use string cheese you can find individually packaged in the refrigerator section of most grocery stores. You can also use fresh mozzarella and cut it up into 1/2-inch thick and 4-inch long if you prefer.
- The cheese is dredged in flour, dipped in eggs, and rolled in regular breadcrumbs. You can substitute Panko breadcrumbs for more crunch.
- I like to season the breadcrumbs with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to boost flavor.
- Use oil with a neutral taste and high smoke points, such as canola, safflower, avocado, or grapeseed, for deep-frying.
Want to skip the deep-frying? Cook them in the oven or air fryer!
Oven or Air Fryer directions
- Oven– Prepare the cheese sticks and freeze them according to the recipe. Arrange them in a single layer on a lightly greased baking sheet and spray with non-stick cooking spray to help them brown. Bake in a preheated 400 F oven for about 8 to 10 minutes or until golden and crispy.
- Air fryer– Prepare the cheese sticks and freeze them according to the recipe. Arrange them in a single layer in a lightly greased air fryer basket and spray them with a non-stick cooking spray. Cook in a preheated 390 F air fryer for about 5 to 8 minutes or until golden and crispy.
How to freeze
You can make these homemade mozzarella cheese sticks ahead of time and freeze them uncooked for future use. Following the steps below ensures they don’t stick together when frozen.
- Arrange the breaded cheese sticks in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm.
- When frozen, transfer to resealable bags. Release the air in the bag before sealing.
- Freeze for up to 6 months. No need to thaw; you can cook them frozen.
Serving suggestions
You can make the homemade marinara sauce I included in the recipe card below or use your favorite brand. You can also serve them with carrot and celery sticks to complement the gooey, creamy cheese with fresh veggie flavor and texture.
Homemade Mozzarella Sticks with Marinara Sauce Recipe
Course: Marinades, Sauces, DressingCuisine: American10
minutes5
minutes400
kcalIngredients
12 pieces mozzarella sticks
2 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 cup flour
2 cups breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
oil
- For Marinara Sauce
1 cup crushed tomatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Remove mozzarella sticks from the packaging and cut them in half, if desired.
- Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with whisked eggs and milk, and one with bread crumbs mixed with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Dredge each mozzarella stick in flour, dip into the egg mixture, and then roll in the bread crumb mixture. Repeat the coating process by dredging again in flour, dipping in the egg mixture, and rolling in the bread crumbs to ensure a thick, even coating.
- Place the breaded mozzarella sticks on a cookie sheet in a single layer and freeze for 30-40 minutes until firm.
- In a deep pan, heat about 2 inches of oil to 350°F over medium heat.
- Working in batches, fry the mozzarella sticks for 1-2 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and crisp. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil, letting them drain on a wire rack over a baking sheet.
- Serve hot with marinara sauce.
- Marinara Sauce
- In a blender or food processor, pulse tomatoes until smooth.
- In a pan over medium heat, warm olive oil and cook garlic until fragrant.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, bring to a boil, and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Lower the heat and let simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to blend the flavors.
Notes
- Arrange the breaded cheese sticks in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about 30 to 40 minutes to keep cheese from bursting and melting out of the bread coating during frying.
Ensure the oil is at 350 F to 375 F. Too hot, and the breading will brown before the cheese inside is soft and melted. Too low, the cheese will melt and leak out before the outside is sufficiently browned.- At optimal temperature, the breaded mozzarella should take about 1 to 2 minutes to turn golden and crispy on the outside and gooey and melty on the inside.
Nutrition Facts
4 servings per container
- Amount Per ServingCalories300
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
18g
28%
- Saturated Fat 8g 40%
- Cholesterol 85mg 29%
- Sodium 780mg 33%
- Potassium 234mg 7%
- Total Carbohydrate
0g
0%
- Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
- Sugars 4g
- Protein 21g 42%
- Iron 3.7%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
