The Best Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
When we go to a restaurant, I always love to peruse the appetizer menu. Appetizers are the best! Sometimes my husband and I will even order a couple different appetizers and just make a meal out of them instead of getting entrees! These homemade mozzarella sticks are my favorite appetizer made at home, which is definitely more cost-effective. And frankly, they taste better than any mozzarella sticks I’ve ever had a restaurant! We love fun appetizers and finger foods! If you are planning a party, some of our other favorites are Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers, Slow Cooker Little Smokies in Honey Garlic BBQ Sauce, and Corn Dog Mini Muffins. They are great for making in advance and freezing to have on hand whenever the craving strikes or so you have less to prepare before a party. Then all you have to do is fry them up and serve them hot when guests arrive! While I prefer them prepared the classic way by frying them in hot oil, these mozzarella sticks are also pretty darn delicious made in the air fryer or even baked in the oven. The air fryer is my second favorite approach since I can make just enough for our family of four without the mess and hassle of heating oil. Plus, it’s faster than the oven.
Ingredients for Mozzarella Sticks
Mozzarella cheese: While I love fresh mozzarella, it’s too soft to hold up when making mozzarella sticks. Instead, you want to pick up a block of firm whole milk low moisture mozzarella cheese. I have even cheated and used my kids mozzarella sticks before and they work pretty well too. Italian-Style Breadcrumbs: These seasoned breadcrumbs are a little more fine than the Panko-style breadcrumbs, which actually makes for a better coating on these mozzarella sticks. I tried them with a Panko version and Italian seasoning, but didn’t like the texture nearly as well. Eggs & milk: These are beaten together to create an egg wash that you will dip the sliced sticks of cheese into so the crumbs will stick to them. Parmesan cheese: This deliciously salty, nutty cheese adds depth of flavor to the breading that coats the outside of the mozzarella sticks. Salt: We want to season our breadcrumbs so the crispy outside coating doesn’t taste stale or bland. Vegetable oil: This is only used if you are planning to fry your mozzarella sticks. Marinara sauce: You can either make homemade marinara sauce for dipping, or pick up your favorite brand from the store. We love the Rao’s brand of marinara sauce and always keep a couple of jars in the pantry for nights when I don’t have time to make it from scratch.
How to Make Mozzarella Sticks
How to Air Fry Mozzarella Sticks
This is my second favorite way for making mozzarella sticks, if I’m not frying them. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F. Arrange your mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the basket and spray or brush them with cooking spray or olive oil for that crispy, fried effect. Air fry for 6-8 minutes until golden brown on the outside and the cheese is hot and gooey in the middle.
How to bake Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
If you would like to bake your mozzarella sticks, follow all of the same instructions for prepping and freezing them. When you are ready to cook them, preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the mozzarella sticks in a single layer and spray or brush them with cooking spray or olive oil to help them crisp up a bit in the oven. Bake for about 10-12 minutes until they are golden brown on the outside and the cheese is molten in the middle!
Tips for Homemade Cheese Sticks
Use a block of the firm mozzarella cheese, rather than fresh mozzarella cheese, which is softer. The firm mozzarella is better for cutting and frying. We tested this recipe with both Panko-style bread crumbs, and the smaller classic Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs. The finer breadcrumbs made for a better coating that held to the cheese and provided better coverage. Don’t skip the second coating of breadcrumbs. It’s hard to get enough coating to create a shell to hold in the cheese while it fries with just one dip in egg wash and breadcrumbs. Leftovers will keep for 1-2 weeks in the fridge and can be reheated in the oven or microwave, although they won’t be as crisp as when they are first fried.
How to serve Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
Once the mozzarella sticks are cooked, arrange them on a serving plate and sprinkle some chopped parsley over the mozzarella sticks for a pop of color. Marinara sauce is the classic dipping sauce for mozzarella sticks, but you could also serve them with ranch dressing, garlic aioli, or any other favorite dipping sauce. Pour some marinara sauce into a small bowl or ramekin and place it next to the mozzarella sticks on the serving plate. Homemade mozzarella sticks are best served hot and fresh. Once they’re arranged on the plate with the marinara sauce, serve them immediately while they’re still warm and gooey.
What is the best sauce for Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
Our favorite choice is a classic marinara or pizza sauce for dipping these crispy-on-the-out-side, melty-on-the-inside sticks. You can serve the marinara sauce cold for a contrast, or heat it up on the stove top or in the microwave if you prefer. But I also love these with ranch dressing. Because everything goes with ranch, doesn’t it? They would also be good with my Remoulade Sauce, Homemade Aioli, or Outback Blooming Onion Sauce.
How to store Homemade Cheese Sticks
If you’re making a larger batch of mozzarella sticks, you can keep them warm in a low oven (around 200°F) while you finish cooking the rest. If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days once they have cooled. I recommend reheating them in the air fryer until hot and gooey all the way through and crisp on the outside again.
More like this Mozzarella Stick Recipe
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This recipe first appeared on The Recipe Critic where I am a contributor.
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