Panko Breaded Mozzarella Sticks are deep fried crispy breaded pieces of mozzarella. They taste so much better than the frozen box kind and they have no preservatives and artificial flavors.
They are always a huge hit with friends and family. I love to serve them with Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings and Crab Rangoon Egg Rolls.
Football, basketball, fall parties and celebrations are right around the corner. I don’t know how time passes so fast but the kids and I realized yesterday that more than one third of the summer break had already passed. Can you believe how fast the seasons move? Are you a big game day family? Do you watch football on Sunday and line up the snacks or do you prefer movies? These Panko Breaded Mozzarella Sticks are perfect for either. There is just something heavenly about a crispy breaded piece of melted cheese! I love cheese! Who doesn’t love cheese. I think that everything should come with a side of cheese!
Panko Breaded Mozzarella Sticks are so easy to make and you can flash freeze them uncooked for unexpected guests. This recipe takes full advantage of mozzarella string cheese because it is already cut into sticks.
How to make Panko Breaded Mozzarella Sticks.
First unwrap your mozzarella cheese sticks. Now mix the eggs with the milk in a shallow bowl. Then combine the panko bread crumbs, parsley, oregano, basil and garlic powder in another shallow bowl. Do you see a pattern here? Lay out another shallow bowl with the flour in it. Place the one with the eggs and one with the panko mixture right next to it. Dredge the mozzarella sticks in flour, then dip in the eggs and then roll in the panko breadcrumb mixture. For added crispiness dip back in the eggs and into the panko breadcrumb mixture.
Place the breaded sticks on baking sheets covered with parchment paper. They should not be touching so they do not freeze together. Freeze for 20-30 minutes as it helps the breading stay on during the frying process. Fry them in vegetable oil until crispy brown. Stay right there with the tongs as it takes less than one minute. Drain on paper towels and serve with warm marinara.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- Don’t purchase the low fat mozzarella sticks as the cheese does not melt as well.
- Roll all the mozzarella sticks in flour first and get that step out of the way.
- Avoid the dreaded breading fingers by using one hand to dunk in egg mixture and use the other hand for the breadcrumbs. Of course that is easier said than done because we tend to always work with our dominant hand first.
- For added crispiness dip back in the egg mixture and again in the breadcrumbs.
- Use a deep fryer or high temperature thermometer to keep your oil as close to 375 degrees as you can.
- Fry just until brown. If overcooked the cheese will begin to leak out.
More appetizer recipes you will love!
This post was originally published July 17, 2014 and was republished September 16, 2019 with new pictures, relevant information and helpful hints.
PrintPanko Breaded Mozzarella Sticks
These deep fried crispy breaded pieces of mozzarella. are incredibly easy to make at home and they taste so much better than the frozen box kind.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 16 sticks 1x
- Category: appetizer
- Method: fry
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 mozzarella string cheese sticks cut in half
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- Canola oil
Instructions
- Mix eggs with milk in shallow bowl.
- Mix panko breadcrumbs with basil, parsley, oregano and garlic in shallow bowl or plate.
- Place flour in shallow bowl or plate.
- Dip each mozzarella stick in flour and then in the egg mixture, into the panko breadcrumb mixture and back into the egg and into the breadcrumbs one more time. Place on baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
- Place in freezer uncovered for 20-30 minutes.
- Heat oil in deep fryer or dutch oven to 375 degrees.
- Cook the sticks a few at a time just until golden brown. It only takes about 1 minute. Drain on paper towels. Serve with marinara or chipotle mayo.
Notes
- Use a high temperature thermometer to try to hold the oil as close to 375 degrees as possible.
- These can also be baked . Drizzle with butter or spray with nonstick baking spray. Bake at 400 degrees for 6-7 minutes.
- Fry just until brown. If overcooked the cheese will begin to leak out.
Keywords: how to make mozzarella sticks, homemade mozzarella sticks, mozzarella cheese sticks
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Nikki
Can these be done in an air fryer?
Beth Pierce
Yes they can. Flash freeze them and then spray with oil. Preheat air fryer to 390 and cook for about 5-6 minutes.
Richard
These look delicious!! Can’t wait to try them. Is there a way to do these in an air fryer?
Beth Pierce
Yes you can air fry them. I think I would freeze them first. Then cook at 370 for about 5 minutes.
Beth Pierce
I forgot don’t crowd the fryer basket or stack them.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
My kids love these so I’m making your recipe. They’re going to love it!
★★★★★
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
What a fabulous treat! Sooo crunchy on the outside!
★★★★★
Amanda
This is cheese stick perfection! The panko adds the perfect texture as opposed to regular, old bread crumbs. Already looking for an excuse to make it again!
★★★★★
whitney
OOOOO I can’t wait to try this with the panko crumbs! Yummy idea!
★★★★★
Traci
So easy and guaranteed to please! Love mozzarella sticks in any form but the panko breading makes them even more interesting. Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Heather
Love the crunch of these cheese sticks! One of our favorite appetizers!
★★★★★
Anna
These mozzarella sticks are seriously crunchy! I can’t wait to make them again!
★★★★★
Matt Taylor
I love these mozzarella sticks! They are super easy to make and so delicious!
★★★★★
Jen
My kids are obsessed with these so it makes me feel better than I can make them myself and know exactly what they’re eating. Thanks so much for an easy recipe!
★★★★★
Taryn
Absolutely delicious! So much more than the frozen ones.
★★★★★
Jessica
Who knew making mozzarella sticks at home could be so darn easy? Loved them and will make again.
★★★★★
Thomas
Do I have to freeze the mozzarella sticks?
Beth Pierce
You can if you want. Some say that it helps the breading adhere. I have never found any difference.
Sandra
Such an amazing appetizer! It was totally irresistible!
★★★★★
Catalina
This mozzarella! My kid goes crazy over these sticks! We should make them at home.
★★★★★
jade manning
Blown my mind with this recipe!
★★★★★
Lora
Super recipe for game day or any fun weekend event! And so easy to make!
★★★★★
Demeter
The light crispy breading is so perfect! It’s hard to start dipping once you start.
★★★★★
Dorothy Reinhold
I am loving the idea of the added crunch from the panko! Great idea!
Linda
Is this a shallow fry or deep fry?
Beth Pierce
You could do either but on a shallow fry you would need about 1/2 -3/4 inch of oil and would need to roll them to make sure they get brown.
steve
what temperature and duration should i use if cooking in a deep fryer instead ?
bpierce
Cook at 365 degrees until lightly browned..30 seconds to one minute.
Julie Marshall
As soon as they start to float watch them really carefully….there’s about 3 seconds between done and leaking cheese all over the place. I made them today and they only took about 20 seconds.