Homemade mozzarella sticks come together with just a handful of pantry ingredients — string cheese, eggs, breadcrumbs, and a little Italian seasoning — and they fry up golden and gooey in under two minutes. Once you've made this mozzarella sticks recipe from scratch, using a deep fryer or just a pot of hot oil, it's hard to go back to the frozen bag.
These are a favorite quick snack for after school, but they hold their own as a hot appetizer for game day or a party tray too. Double the batch and freeze half before frying, so a fresh batch of cheese sticks is always just a couple of minutes away.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- String cheese — the classic base for this recipe. Cheese sticks made for snacking hold their shape better when fried than cheese cut from a block.
- Eggs & water — whisked together for the egg wash that helps the breading stick.
- Plain breadcrumbs — panko works too, and gives the coating extra crunch.
- Italian seasoning & crushed red pepper — stirred into the breadcrumbs for flavor; leave out the red pepper, or swap in a little garlic powder, for a milder version.
Helpful Tips
Unwrap the cheese sticks and cut them in half. Mix the eggs with water in one bowl, and the breadcrumbs with the seasonings in another. Dip each cheese stick in the egg mixture, then coat it in the breadcrumbs — then repeat the whole process a second time so every stick is completely covered. That double coating is what keeps the cheese from oozing out as it fries.
Freeze the coated cheese sticks for a few hours before frying, especially if you're prepping ahead. Freezing helps the breadcrumb coating set in place, so you get a cleaner fry with less risk of the cheese escaping into the oil.
Heat your oil before you start frying so it's ready to go the moment the cheese sticks are coated, and fry only a few at a time — crowding the pan drops the oil temperature and leads to a soggier coating. Most batches only need about a minute in hot oil to turn golden.
Variations
- Use mozzarella cut from a block instead of string cheese for a slightly different texture.
- Stir grated parmesan into the breadcrumb mixture for extra flavor.
- Swap in panko breadcrumbs for a crunchier coating.
- Bake instead of fry: arrange the coated sticks on a parchment-lined sheet and bake at 400°F for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, for a lighter version.
- Serve with a spicy marinara for a little heat.
Serving Ideas
We like to serve these with a simple marinara sauce made from freshly canned tomatoes, alongside our homemade pizza dough for a build-your-own pizza night. They also make a great addition to a snack tray next to other easy bites, or paired with something sweet like our Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Pretzels.
Storing & Freezing
Fried mozzarella sticks are best fresh, but leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes to re-crisp the coating — the microwave will work in a pinch, but the breading won't stay as crunchy.
To freeze for later, coat the cheese sticks as directed and freeze them uncooked on a parchment-lined tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Fry straight from frozen, adding an extra minute or so to the cook time.
More Easy Appetizers
Looking for more hot appetizers and snacks? Try our DIY Pasta Bar for your next game night, or check out our Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Pretzels if you're craving something sweet.
Recipe
Easy Fried Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
Equipment
- Fryer
Ingredients
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- Oil for fryer my fryer takes about 2 ½ cups
- 12 package Frigo® Cheese Heads® string cheese
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup water
- 1 ½ cup plain bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Heat oil in the fryer. The amount you will use depends on the size of your fryer. I had a small fryer and used about 2 ½ cups.
- Unwrap all the cheese sticks and cut them in half. Mix the eggs with water and the breadcrumbs with seasonings. After that, dip the cheese sticks in the egg mixture, followed by the breadcrumbs. Make sure to try to cover the cheese sticks entirely. Repeat the process by dipping the cheese sticks in the eggs mixture and the breadcrumbs a second time, covering completely.
Nutrition
Nutrition details are an estimate, per serving.
Rachael says
We keep our fingers from getting coated by having a dry hand and a wet hand. my kids do well with this too. Or you have 1 person coating in egg then they put in crumbs, without touching the dry. Then the other coats with the crumbs.
Jaime says
If you use egg roll wrappers....it'll keep your cheese from oozing out so too quickly...great tip from Guy Fieri
April J Harris says
Love how easy and tasty this recipe is! What a great appetizer or snack, Jessica. Pinned. Thank you for sharing with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop.
Deb says
My teenager loves mozzarella sticks. I so need to make these. Thanks for linking up at the Best of the Blogosphere Linky party!
Mother of 3 says
That does sound simple! I keep saying I'm going to try making them but we have yet to try.
Miz Helen says
These look so good, I just love Mozzarella Sticks! Hope you have a very special week and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Miz Helen
Crystal says
Jessica, your pictures are great! The cheese sticks look delicious, I didn't know they were so easy to make. I never use my deep fryer! Pinning for later. #HomeMattersParty
Lauren says
My kids love fried mozzarella sticks! I will have to try this recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Richella Parham says
These look absolutely delicious! I'd never thought of making these from scratch. My youngest son LOVES mozzarella sticks, so I'm pinning this recipe for future reference.
Thanks so much for sharing this at the Grace at Home party. I'm featuring you this week!
Tiffiney says
Hi Jessica!
This looks awesome! I'd love to make them ASAP, but one snag...I don't have a deep fryer! Is there anyway around this?
Thanks for sharing with the imparting grace community!
Phyllis Mason says
I use a dutch oven (or a heavy sauce pan) for frying chicken, fries, and i don't see a problem doing the same with these.
Karly says
Love this! Thanks for linking up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!
Marilyn says
Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe at the #RecipeSharingParty! I hope to see you next week. Pinned and Yummed. Please visit #OverTheMoon on Sunday or #ThursdayFavoriteThings for more sharing fun! Don't forget to Comment your link #'s so I can be sure to visit and get a chance to be featured!
April J Harris says
Your Easy Fried Mozzarella Sticks look really delicious - perfect for an appetizer or snack. I love the idea of freezing them before frying. Pinned. Thank you for sharing with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop.
tiffany dayton says
We love Mozzarella sticks. These are so good.
Theresa says
These look amazing. I have never tried to make them homemade but, after seeing how easy. I need to. My teen will love these. Pinned to try. Thanks for the recipe.
Isabella says
Yeah it has all that but how much does it make?Hmmmmm?
Kat says
12 of them.
Jennifer Wise says
Hi Jessica,
First time visitor here. But I already fell in love with what you have here!
Thank you for sharing this easy recipe. How creative!. It is so delicious. I love fried foods. I'm going to try it now. Thanks for sharing it with us ?
Jennifer
Indira says
Love mozzarella sticks, going to try them today. It sounds very easy, this is how I fry chicken, hmmmm already tasting them. Thanks for sharing.
Lori T says
I love Mozzarella Sticks. But, I use the blocks of Mozzarella and cut them into sticks.
I used this recipe when I made them last week. It is so good.
But, I just bought an Air Fryer, and I'm wondering if you would know how long to cook
the sticks in one of these? Or if you've ever tried them in one?
Thanks for sharing!
Jessica McCoy says
I haven't, but would love to hear if others have!
Jim BROWN says
I also have an Air Fryer and My recipe calls for preparing your stick as described, place on a cookie sheet and freeze for 2 hours.. to cook, preheat air fryer to 400 F for 3 minutes, place in basket in single layer, cook for 12 minutes, flip after 6 minutes. they will be hot so allow to cool for a few minutes.before eating. Experiment with your fryer as not all makes cook at the same rate, better to be a bit under cooked than burned.
Vivian Carpenter says
These look absolutely awesome. Not only my kids but also I love fried mozzarella sticks! I will have to try this recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Brian M. says
Should you start with FROZEN cheese sticks?
Jessica McCoy says
I haven't, but you could. I imagine you would need to add cooking time.