Description
Learn how to make the crispiest and most delicious mozzarella sticks with a flavorful tomato dipping sauce. This ultimate guide will ensure your cheese sticks turn out perfectly golden and crispy every time!
Ingredients
Scale
Mozzarella Sticks:
- 1 pound mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch thick sticks (about 3–4 inches long)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Tomato Dipping Sauce:
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cut mozzarella cheese into sticks: Slice mozzarella into 1/2-inch thick sticks, about 3-4 inches long.
- Prepare breading stations: Set up three shallow dishes with flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs mixed with seasonings.
- Coat mozzarella sticks: Dredge each cheese stick in flour, then egg, and finally breadcrumb mixture, ensuring a thorough coating.
- Double coat for extra crispiness: Repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating process for each stick.
- Chill and fry: Refrigerate breaded sticks for at least 30 minutes, then fry in hot oil until golden brown and crispy.
- Prepare tomato dipping sauce: Sauté garlic in olive oil, add crushed tomatoes, oregano, and red pepper flakes, simmer, and season.
- Serve: Garnish the sauce with fresh basil leaves and enjoy with hot mozzarella sticks.
Notes
- For best results, use cold mozzarella and keep the breading process quick.
- Do not overcrowd the frying pot to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Adjust seasonings in the tomato sauce to suit your taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying, Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (estimated)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: mozzarella sticks, cheese sticks, appetizer, fried cheese, tomato sauce
