Description
Golden, cheesy, and perfectly crunchy mozzarella sticks served with marinara sauce and a creamy herb dip, ideal for snacking or appetizers.
Ingredients
- 10 mozzarella cheese sticks, halved
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1/2 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh herbs (like parsley or chives), chopped
Instructions
- Cut mozzarella cheese sticks in half and freeze for 30 minutes.
- Mix flour with salt and pepper in one bowl. In a second bowl, whisk eggs and milk. In a third bowl, combine Italian breadcrumbs, panko, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Dredge each frozen cheese stick in flour, then egg mixture, then breadcrumb mixture. Repeat egg and breadcrumb coating for extra crunch.
- Freeze coated sticks for another 20-30 minutes to set the coating.
- Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry sticks in batches for about 2 minutes until golden and crisp, turning as needed.
- Remove with slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Prepare creamy dip by mixing mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, and herbs until smooth.
- Serve hot mozzarella sticks with warm marinara sauce and the creamy dip on the side.
Notes
- Freezing the cheese sticks before frying helps prevent leaking.
- For a healthier option, bake or air-fry instead of deep-frying.
- Can be prepared ahead and frozen until ready to cook.
- Use string cheese for convenience and consistent size.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3-4 sticks
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
