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Old Fashioned Mozzarella Sticks — Crispy Homemade Appetizer

Old Fashioned Mozzarella Sticks

A crisp, scratch-made diner favorite featuring low-moisture mozzarella double-coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and flash-fried to a perfect golden crunch.
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Ingredients
  

  • 12 low-moisture whole-milk mozzarella string cheese sticks
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large farm eggs
  • 2 tbsp whole milk
  • 1 cup fine seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 pinch salt
  • Vegetable oil for shallow frying
  • 1 cup warm marinara sauce for serving

Instructions
 

  • Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with the eggs and milk whisked together, and one with breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, oregano, and salt.
  • Roll each cheese stick thoroughly in the flour, dip completely in the egg wash, and coat evenly in the seasoned breadcrumbs.
  • Dip the coated stick back into the egg wash a secondary time, then press firmly into the breadcrumbs to create an impenetrable double-layer crust.
  • Arrange the breaded sticks in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 2 hours until solid.
  • Heat one inch of vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers (350°F).
  • Fry the frozen sticks in small batches for 1 to 1.5 minutes per side until the outer breading turns a deep golden amber.
  • Remove immediately with tongs, drain on paper towels, and arrange in a sun-wheel pattern around a warm bowl of marinara sauce.

Notes

Never skip the two-hour freezing step, as it keeps the internal cheese from liquefying and breaking through the breading while frying. Ensure the flat tips of each stick are fully double-coated to eliminate any weak spots where cheese could escape.