Homemade Mozzarella Sticks with Marinara Sauce

Homemade Mozzarella Sticks with marinara sauce are perfect for a party or game day. Gooey and melty on the inside and golden and crunchy on the outside, they’re absolutely irresistible!

Last Halloween, I decided to give out individually packaged string cheese instead of the traditional Twix or KitKat as treats for the trick-or-treaters passing by on Halloween 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 recesses of the freezer, forgotten until yesterday when I gave them new life as homemade mozzarella sticks with a marinara sauce for dipping.

Ingredient notes

• Cheese– For convenience, I use string cheese, which can be found individually packaged in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores. You can also use block low-moisture mozzarella and cut it into approximately 1/2-inch-thick, 4-inch-long pieces if you prefer. DO not fresh mozzarella as it has a lot of moisture and can explode during frying.
• Coating– the cheese is dredged in flour, dipped in eggs, and rolled in regular breadcrumbs. You can substitute Panko breadcrumbs for more crunch.
• Seasonings – I like to season the breadcrumbs with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to enhance the flavor.
• Oil– Choose ones with a neutral taste and high smoke points, such as canola, safflower, avocado, or grapeseed, for deep-frying.

How to make mozzarella cheese sticks

•  Prepare dredging station– In a shallow bowl, place flour, and in another shallow bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. In another shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
• Assemble– Dredge the mozzarella sticks in flour, dip them in the egg mixture, and then roll them in the breadcrumb mixture.  Dredge again in flour, dip in egg mixtures, and then roll in breadcrumbs to thoroughly coat.
• Freeze– Arrange the breaded mozzarella sticks in a single layer on a cookie sheet and freeze until firm. This helps the coating adhere better and prevents the cheese from bursting and melting out of the bread coating during the frying process.
• Deep-fry– carefully add the mozzarella sticks in batches to the pan, cooking them until they are golden and crisp. 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.
• Drain– Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried cheese sticks from the pan and drain them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.

Oven or Air Fryer directions

Want to skip the deep-frying? Cook them in the oven or air fryer!

• 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.

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.

How to freeze

1. Arrange the breaded cheese sticks in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm.
2. When frozen, transfer to resealable bags. Release the air in the bag before sealing.
3. Freeze for up to 6 months. There’s no need to thaw; you can cook them directly from frozen.

Serving suggestions

Serve these fried mozzarella sticks with fresh, crunchy vegetables, such as carrots and celery. You can make the homemade marinara sauce I included in the recipe card below or use your favorite brand for dipping.

• Transfer the fried cheese to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. Freeze the cooked and uncooked cheese for more extended storage.
• As with most fried foods, they’ll lose their crunch over time. You can refresh them a little in the oven at 350°F for 6 to 8 minutes or in an air fryer at 375°F for 3 to 5 minutes.