Description
These homemade baked mozzarella sticks are crispy, cheesy, and ready in just 15 minutes. Using a double-breading technique and low-moisture cheese, they offer a restaurant-quality crunch without the grease of deep frying.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (225g) low-moisture mozzarella cheese block
- ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, whisked with a pinch of salt
- 1 cup (90g) panko breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup (240g) marinara sauce
- Cooking spray or olive oil for brushing
Instructions
- Cut the low-moisture mozzarella block into sticks (approx. ½ inch by ½ inch by 2 inches). Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes until rock hard.
- Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour and a pinch of salt, one with whisked eggs, and one with panko mixed with Italian seasoning, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Remove cheese from freezer. Dredge a stick in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into egg wash, letting excess drip off. Press firmly into panko mixture.
- Repeat the egg and panko step (double dip) to create a thick crust. Place coated stick back on the baking sheet.
- Once all sticks are breaded, return the baking sheet to the freezer for 20-30 minutes to re-harden the cheese and set the breading.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a clean baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Remove sticks from freezer. Lightly spray or brush with cooking spray/olive oil. Place on the baking sheet with space between each stick.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.
- Warm the marinara sauce separately. Serve sticks immediately with warm sauce for dipping.
Notes
Do not skip the freezing steps; soft cheese will leak. Use low-moisture mozzarella, not fresh mozzarella in water, to prevent bursting. For extra crispiness, ensure sticks are not touching on the pan. Can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free panko. Can be air-fried at 380°F for 6-8 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3-4 sticks per servi
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 12
Keywords: mozzarella sticks, baked mozzarella, appetizer, easy recipe, kid-friendly, crispy cheese, 15 minute snack, homemade mozzarella sticks