These homemade mozzarella sticks make a fun weeknight snack, should you daydream about marrying your fried cheese–loving best friend.
Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more if desired for the fried sticks
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 8 ounces mozzarella, cut into ½-thick sticks
- vegetable oil, for frying
- marinara sauce, to serve
How to Make It
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg and milk to combine. In a small shallow dish, whisk the flour and seasoned salt to combine. In another small shallow dish, whisk together the breadcrumbs, salt, and black pepper.
- Keeping one hand dry, dip one mozzarella stick into the egg mixture, then into the flour mixture. Dip the stick back into the egg mixture, then dunk it into the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat this step for an extra crispy mozzarella stick. Set the breaded mozzarella stick on a small sheet pan. Repeat with the remaining cheese sticks (you should be able to fry all cheese sticks in three batches).
- Chill the breaded cheese sticks in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- In a 10-inch cast-iron skillet set over medium-high heat, pour in the vegetable oil to about 2-inches deep. Bring oil to 350°F on a fry thermometer. Working in batches, drop the cheese sticks into the oil and let fry for 1 to 2 minutes. Don’t let the cheese melt.
- Transfer the fried cheese sticks to a paper towel–lined plate and sprinkle with additional salt, if desired.
- Serve hot with a side of store-bought marinara sauce. You can also serve the fried cheese with a side of French fries.
