Here’s a crispy, cheesy way to make panko breaded mozzarella sticks at home:
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 8 mozzarella sticks (string cheese works perfectly)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
- Marinara sauce, for dipping
Instructions
- Prep the cheese:
- Freeze the mozzarella sticks for at least 30–60 minutes. This helps them hold their shape when frying.
- Set up a breading station:
- Bowl 1: Flour
- Bowl 2: Beaten eggs
- Bowl 3: Panko breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper
- Bread the cheese:
- Roll each frozen mozzarella stick in flour → dip in egg → coat with panko.
- For extra crunch, repeat the egg → panko step for a double coating.
- Fry:
- Heat oil in a deep pan or skillet to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the sticks 1–2 minutes per side until golden brown. Do not overcrowd the pan.
- Drain and serve:
- Drain on paper towels and serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.
💡 Tip: If you want a healthier version, you can bake them at 425°F (220°C) for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, but frying gives the classic ultra-crispy exterior.
If you want, I can also give a baked version with a crunchy panko-herb coating that’s super crispy without deep frying.
Do you want me to do that?
