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Ooey Gooey Mozzarella Sticks

Crispy on the outside, stretchy and melty on the inside, these homemade mozzarella sticks are the perfect crowd-pleasing appetizer for any occasion. The double coating ensures maximum crunch while locking in all that gooey cheese.  
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12 mozzarella sticks (4 servings)
Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 mozzarella cheese sticks string cheese
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1½ cups breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Marinara sauce for dipping

Method
 

  1. Freeze the Cheese: Unwrap the mozzarella sticks and place them on a parchment-lined tray. Freeze them for at least 30 minutes. This crucial step prevents the cheese from melting too quickly during the frying process, ensuring your mozzarella sticks maintain their shape and deliver that perfect cheese pull.
  2. Prepare the Breading Station: Set up three separate bowls for your breading assembly line. In the first bowl, place the flour. In the second bowl, add the beaten eggs. In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt, mixing thoroughly to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the breadcrumbs.
  3. Bread the Mozzarella Sticks: Take the frozen mozzarella sticks and coat each one first in flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip into the beaten eggs, ensuring complete coverage. Finally, roll in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere. For extra crispiness and to prevent cheese leakage, repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating process for a double layer of protection.
  4. Fry to Golden Perfection: Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches approximately 350°F (175°C). Working in small batches to avoid overcrowding, carefully add the breaded mozzarella sticks to the hot oil. Fry for 1-2 minutes, turning occasionally until all sides are golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.
  5. Serve Immediately: Arrange the hot mozzarella sticks on a serving plate and serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy them right away while the exterior is crisp and the cheese inside is perfectly melted and stretchy.

Notes

  • For best results, double-coat the mozzarella sticks in egg and breadcrumbs to prevent cheese leakage during frying.
  • If you don't have Italian seasoning, you can substitute with a mixture of dried oregano, basil, and thyme.
  • These can be prepared ahead of time up through the breading stage and kept frozen until ready to fry.
  • For a lighter version, these can be baked at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes instead of frying.
  • The oil temperature is crucial - too low and they'll absorb oil and become soggy, too high and they'll brown too quickly before the cheese melts.