Ah, classic comfort food! Panko breaded mozzarella sticks are deliciously crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. Here’s a thorough way to make them:
Ingredients
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese (cut into sticks)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1-2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Marinara sauce (for dipping)
Instructions
- Prep the cheese sticks
- Cut mozzarella into sticks about 3 inches long.
- Freeze them for at least 30–60 minutes—this helps prevent the cheese from melting too quickly during frying.
- Set up the breading station
- Bowl 1: Flour seasoned with salt and pepper.
- Bowl 2: Beaten eggs.
- Bowl 3: Panko breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
- Bread the sticks
- Roll each cheese stick in flour → dip in egg → coat in panko.
- For extra crispy sticks, double-dip: egg → panko → egg → panko.
- Fry the mozzarella sticks
- Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry sticks in small batches for 1–2 minutes, until golden brown.
- Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Serve immediately
- Best served hot with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Tips:
- You can bake them instead: 400°F for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway. Spray with oil for extra crispiness.
- Don’t overcrowd the fryer; sticks should float freely to avoid sticking.
If you want, I can also give a shortcut method for ultra-crispy mozzarella sticks using panko and freezer-ready preps that saves a lot of time and reduces oil splatter. Do you want me to?
