Crispy Fried Smoked Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

Prep: 10 minCook: 5 min4 servingsmediumAmerican
Crispy Fried Smoked Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

Golden, crispy cheese sticks featuring smoky mozzarella wrapped in a seasoned flour coating and crunchy panko breadcrumbs. The double-dipping technique and resting periods ensure the coating adheres perfectly while keeping the cheese from leaking during frying. Perfect as an appetizer for parties, game day snacks, or casual entertaining when you want something indulgent and satisfying.

VegetarianNut-Free

Ingredients

4 servings
  • 15 ounce smoked Mozzarella cheese
    regular mozzarella1:1

    loses smoky flavor but still delicious

  • ½ cup milk
  • ½ cup flour
  • ½ teaspoon flour
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat vegetable oil in a pot to three inches deep until it reaches 350 degrees

  2. 2

    Cut smoked mozzarella into large sticks about 2 inches by 3/4 to 1 inch, trimming rounded edges if needed

  3. 3

    Set up breading station with three bowls: milk, seasoned flour mixture, and panko breadcrumbs

  4. 4

    Combine flour, black pepper, and garlic salt in a small bowl to make seasoned flour

  5. 5

    Dip cheese sticks in milk, then coat well in seasoned flour, shaking off excess

  6. 6

    Place coated sticks on a rack and rest for about 5 minutes

  7. 7

    Dip again in milk, then coat thoroughly in panko breadcrumbs

  8. 8

    Allow to rest for a few minutes before frying

  9. 9

    Fry cheese sticks in hot oil until just golden brown

  10. 10

    Remove from oil and drain on wire rack

  11. 11

    Serve immediately

Tips

Tip 1

Rest the coated cheese sticks between dipping stages to help the coating adhere better and prevent it from sliding off during frying.

Tip 2

Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature at 350 degrees for even cooking and to prevent the cheese from melting out before the coating browns.

Good to Know

Storage

Best served immediately while hot and crispy

Make Ahead

Can bread the cheese sticks up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate until ready to fry

Serve With

Serve immediately while hot with marinara sauce for dipping

Common Mistakes

Watch

Don't skip the resting periods to avoid coating sliding off during frying

Watch

Monitor oil temperature carefully to prevent cheese from melting out before coating browns

Substitutions

Gluten-Free Swaps

panko breadcrumbs→
regular breadcrumbs1:1texturegluten-free

less crispy coating

Full guide →

General Alternatives

smoked Mozzarella→
regular mozzarella1:1

loses smoky flavor but still delicious

Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I bake these instead of frying?

Yes, bake at 425°F for 8-10 minutes, but the coating won't be as crispy as the fried version.

What if my cheese leaks out during cooking?

This usually means the oil wasn't hot enough or the coating didn't have enough resting time to adhere properly.

How long do these keep?

Best eaten immediately while hot and crispy. They don't reheat well as the cheese becomes rubbery.