Enjoy this craveable restaurant appetizer at home!
Fried mozzarella is one of those appetizers that has little middle ground. For instance, you order it at a restaurant, and it’s delivered to your table, piping hot, crispy on the outside and gooey and soft on the inside. Dipped in marinara sauce, it’s just about perfect. However, I’ve also had fried mozzarella that is terrible. Seemingly reheated from frozen, bland, and just generally about as tasty as cardboard, bad fried mozzarella is simply sad. Fortunately, making fantastic fried mozzarella at home is easier than you might think!
While fried cheese is nothing new, fried mozzarella as we know it has been a popular appetizer in bars and restaurants since the 1970s. Loosely classed with similar apps like wings, potato skins, and nachos, fried mozzarella is a great addition to a buffet table at a party or as a warm, filling appetizer before a sit-down meal.
You will love the taste of from-scratch fried mozzarella. The crispy coating is seasoned with garlic and onion powder, and the inside is just simply mozzarella cheese. You slice it into spears, and when you make fried mozzarella from scratch, you know exactly what is going into it, unlike prepackaged frozen fried mozzarella. Homemade fried mozzarella might just become your new favorite snack!
Shopping For Mozzarella
While it might be tempting to grab a package of string cheese and just use those for these sticks, it’s not the best choice. String cheese is coated with an edible casing, which means it doesn’t melt as well. Also, when buying a block of mozzarella, get whole milk, which has more flavor than part-skim mozzarella.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Fried mozzarella is best enjoyed fresh, when it’s still nice and hot. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days, but the coating will not stay as crispy as when originally prepared. To reheat, either warm in a 350°F oven for 5-8 minutes or in an air fryer at 390°F for 3-5 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve fried mozzarella with Marinara Sauce that is fresh and full of flavor. By making your own, you will get a rich, zesty dip that is the perfect accompaniment to this appetizer. Some people prefer dipping their fried mozzarella in Ranch Dressing, which is super easy to make from scratch as well. Fried mozzarella fits in great on a table full of game-day favorites, such as Crispy Baked Chicken Wings, Crock-Pot Queso Dip, and Chili-Cheese Fries.
Fried Mozzarella
Ingredients
- 16-ounce mozzarella cheese block
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 3/4 cups breadcrumbs
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Marinara sauce for serving
Instructions
- Cut the mozzarella cheese into sticks about 1/2 inch thick.
- Place the flour in a shallow bowl. In a second bowl, beat the eggs with water. In a third bowl, add the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, and onion powder and mix to combine them.
- Dredge each mozzarella stick in the flour, shaking off any excess.
- Dip the floured stick into the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off.
- Roll the stick in breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
- For a thicker crust, repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps.
- Place the breaded sticks on a plate and freeze for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F.
- Fry the sticks in batches for 1–2 minutes, until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels and serve hot with marinara sauce.
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