Print

Gooey Mozzarella Stick Dippers

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.1 from 76 reviews

Mozzarella Stick Dippers are crispy, cheesy appetizers made by coating mozzarella string cheese in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture, then frying or air frying to golden perfection. Served with warm marinara sauce, these dippers are perfect as a snack or party appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese

  • 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks, cut in half

Breading

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (for extra crisp)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp salt

Cooking

  • Oil for frying or air frying

Serving

  • Warm marinara sauce for dipping

Instructions

  1. Freeze Cheese Pieces: Place the cut mozzarella string cheese sticks in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial to prevent the cheese from melting too quickly during the cooking process and helps maintain their shape.
  2. Prepare Breading Mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine the Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt. In separate bowls, have the flour and beaten eggs ready for dipping.
  3. Coat Cheese Sticks: Dip each frozen cheese piece first into the flour, shaking off any excess, then into the beaten eggs, and finally into the breadcrumb mixture. For a thicker and crunchier crust, repeat the egg and breadcrumb dip one more time.
  4. Cook the Cheese Sticks: To deep fry, heat oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry the coated cheese sticks for 1–2 minutes until golden brown. Alternatively, air fry them at 390°F for 6–7 minutes until crisp and golden, turning halfway through if needed.
  5. Serve with Marinara: Remove the cooked mozzarella sticks from the oil or air fryer and drain on paper towels if frying. Serve immediately while hot with warm marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

  • Double-coating the cheese sticks with egg and breadcrumbs helps prevent the cheese from leaking out during cooking.
  • Season the panko breadcrumbs lightly with extra garlic powder or paprika for added flavor.
  • Freezing the coated cheese sticks for an additional 10 minutes before cooking can help them retain their shape better.

Find it online: https://yumfoodusa.com/gooey-mozzarella-stick-dippers/