Turn String Cheese into Mozzarella Sticks

Crispy, cheesy, and oh so savory, these homemade Mozzarella Sticks have a habit of disappearing quickly. Make a batch to keep in the freezer, or enjoy right away. Recipe includes options for baking and air frying.
Recipe: sugarspunrun.com/mozzarella-s...
Ingredients
1 ½ cups plain Panko (106g)
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon dried parsley
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon table salt
2 large eggs
½ cup all-purpose flour (63g)
1 lb whole milk mozzarella block (or 15 whole milk string cheese)
Vegetable oil, for frying
Marinara sauce, for dipping (click the link to make my homemade marinara)
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Instructions
00:00 Introduction
00:24 Place panko crumbs in a Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin or mallet to crush until you have fine crumbs.
01:24 Pour crushed panko into a shallow dish and add Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, pepper, and salt and stir to combine.
01:48 In a separate, shallow bowl, crack 2 large eggs and beat with a whisk or the tines of a fork until scrambled.
01:58 Pour all-purpose flour in yet another shallow bowl.
02:06 If using a mozzarella block, cut widthwise into 15 sticks.
03:13 Working with one at a time, dip the stick in the flour and shake off any excess flour. Then dip in the beaten egg and let any excess drip off. Finally, dip in panko crumb mixture, making sure the entire mozzarella stick is coated with panko.
04:00 Place a wire cooking rack on a baking sheet and place breaded mozzarella sticks on rack. Once all sticks have been dipped, transfer to the freezer and chill for at least one hour. If you are chilling mozzarella sticks for longer than 1 hour, after 1 hour remove from freezer and place in an airtight container then return to freezer.
To Fry (please see notes section below for instructions on making these mozzarella sticks in the oven or in the air fryer)
04:56 While mozzarella sticks are still in the freezer, fill a medium-sized saucepan 3” deep with vegetable oil. Attach a thermometer to the side and make sure it is suspended about halfway into the oil (and that it is not touching the bottom of the pot). Heat oil over medium heat until you reach a temperature of 350F (175C) then remove mozzarella sticks from freezer.
06:00 Fry mozzarella sticks, 2 at a time, until golden brown (about 1 minute) then remove to a paper towel-lined plate to cool. Make sure oil returns to temperature before frying next mozzarella sticks.
07:31 Enjoy mozzarella sticks while still warm dipped in warmed marinara sauce.
Notes
How to bake mozzarella sticks
Preheat oven to 415F (210C) and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spray lightly with cooking spray. Arrange mozzarella sticks on baking sheet, spacing at least an inch apart, and bake 10-15 minutes or mozzarella sticks are beginning to turn golden brown (they will not get as dark as they would if deep fried. Enjoy warm dipped in warm marinara.
How to make mozzarella sticks in the air fryer
Heat air fryer to 390F (200C). Spray the basket of your air fryer with cooking spray. Add mozzarella sticks and spray lightly with cooking spray. Cook for 6-8 minutes, tossing halfway through, until mozzarella sticks are golden and crispy. Enjoy warm with warm marinara.
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[@eldridgesmart5516]

These has to be the WORLD'S best Mozzarella cheese sticks. Thanks for the video.👍🏾👍🏾. Take care.

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you so much! ☺️

[@CloudJack]

I must say your potato soup recipe was was absolutely delicious and you’re very kind to share it with us. Looks like I’ll be trying these next.

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love the mozzarella sticks as much as the soup! ☺️

[@Ginge2417]

They look soooooooo good I can’t wait to have a go at making these. Thank you for sharing !!

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thanks so much! Have fun 😊

[@rogelioordonez777]

Ms. Suga oh my your absolutely correct....cheese sticks are such a great snack food ! I really appreciate how detailed you are like letting the oil heat back up so important, many thanks for that. Best wishes on the porch project. You do such an amazing teaching on how to cook bake fry and oven it at times that I really appreciate You very much and your hard work! As always great job on the flowers 💐 they bring so much life and I know they have to be smelling so fresh and good 👍! Thank you Ms. Suga ✌ RO☺

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@natestarot]

I'm glad this was recommended to me-thanks for making these!

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love them! 😊

[@andreagennaro6181]

Wow those look great my kids are big fans of mozzarella sticks going to make these ASAP thanks for another awesome recipe take care

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love them! ☺️

[@karenbalkaranali4739]

Excellent!!! Love mozzarella sticks also black looks great on you 😙

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@islandtrader908]

I cooked mozzarella sticks from several youtubers to see which one was best, and YOURS turned out perfect! Thank you!!

[@SugarSpunRun]

You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed them! 😊

[@Javaman92]

I'm surprised that I had not liked this video already. You were in an extra good mood this day it seems. It's awesome. I was thinking of making these right now, but I got to freeze them an hour so perhaps tomorrow.... I see fried pickles too! My list of your recipes doesn't seem to ever get shorter! LOL Keep em coming.

[@SugarSpunRun]

🤣 I'm so glad you enjoy everything so much. It sounds like you've got an awesome menu lined up. :)

[@kenishiajenkins2640]

Looks very good thanks for sharing. Will be trying this out this evening hopefully

[@SugarSpunRun]

Hope you enjoy them 😊

[@kenishiajenkins2640]

@@SugarSpunRun I am sure we will....making them tonight very soon

[@mikejenkins7373]

Nice thanks

[@melissaohlrich2418]

GIRL!!!!!! These look divine and oh so fattie! I absolutely can not wait to try this recipe.

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love them! :)

[@davidbufton8075]

Top tip. Use your left hand to do the flower and the egg. Put the stick in the crumb and use your right hand to cover it. Double dip is good. Less messy hands 🙂

[@shortaybrown]

So yummy😋😋😋

[@francesmorgan6397]

These sounds delicious and easy to make i love ur channel try these

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you so much! :)

[@francesmorgan6397]

@@SugarSpunRun has ur lil buddle of Joy got here yet

[@davidkahnt2632]

Thank you! I use whole milk, low moisture mozzarella I like the panko trick.

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love these! 😊

[@oriffel]

thanks for the air fry alternative. just got one of those and haven't a clue what to make with it.

[@lizaw.7313]

So many things you can make!! Anything you d fry, watch some videos and get some tips, trust me, it's awesome!

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love them! We use our air fryer alll the time. It's great. I hope you love yours just as much. 😊

[@tommyboy7820]

Thanks for sharing

[@SugarSpunRun]

Enjoy 😊

[@catherineharris27]

My kids ❤ these!

[@SugarSpunRun]

They're soooo good and fun to make too!

[@glendaharding4884]

Yum!!

[@mariaboletsis3188]

Yum 😋 yum yum!!!

[@christindall4]

Beautiful. Dang.

[@knownjustin0]

Jesus, you're so underrated, these videos are insane!

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you! :)

[@sinatra617]

Instead of panko you should throw a bag of cheetos in a food processor and use that as a coating and serve with marinara. You can also use flaming hot cheetos and serve with rance. So yummy 😀

[@SugarSpunRun]

That actually sounds really good. I’ll have to give it a try sometime. 😊

[@sinatra617]

@@SugarSpunRun i made them last night for my kids and they went crazy lol. Let me know how you like them. Just double coat them. I found that one coating isn't enough. The cheese will come out. Flour dredge in egg then the cheetos then egg and cheetos again. Let me know how you like them when you give it a try. Have a great day.

[@christoskyrou]

Totally worth trying! Thank you for making this easy to follow and entertaining at the same time. A question... do I need to freeze them (for an hour) even if I am not going to fry them but bake them? Thank again!

[@SugarSpunRun]

Yes! Otherwise the cheese will just melt right out 😞

[@hunchowiley8492]

Making this when I get off 😋

[@SugarSpunRun]

Enjoy!

[@rebeccakaplan-fisher1833]

Tried this recipe tonight 10 out of 10! Thanks for making this fail proof for me 🙂

[@SugarSpunRun]

You're welcome! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. My goal is to always make my recipes easily replicable so I'm glad to hear when they work out. :)

[@quantumstone992]

I loved 😍. Your cheese sticks, and your voice, talk a litter fast, but great voice. God bless you pumpkin.

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thanks for watching!

[@boogeritus2488]

Gorgeous! And I don't mean just the cheese sticks ;-)

[@irenetaylor3228]

I use 1/2 panko 1/2 Italian bread crumbs

[@SugarSpunRun]

Yummmm 😊

[@vilkoskorlich259]

Mozzarella Sticks So, before you book it to Italy with dreams of feasting on your favorite "Italian" dishes, you may have another thing coming to you. Mozzarella Sticks This heavenly, melty, crunchy dish comes to your red-checkered tablecloth straight from Little Italy. Put plainly, if you’re really hankering for mozzarella sticks when you’re in the actual country of Italy, there is one place you’ll find them-McDonald’s.

[@melissaohlrich2418]

That was an oddly enjoyable description of the origin of mozzarella sticks 😋 thanks for sharing

[@elgiacomo]

These look delicious! Any issues with freezing these longer than an hour, as in overnight to fry up fresh the next day? Also, the description says 350F for the oil but in the video you say 360F. Which is best? Thanks!

[@SugarSpunRun]

I haven't tried freezing them much longer than an hour, but I think it could work. I'm sorry for the confusion but you will want to aim for 350 on the oil temperature. ☺️

[@alanlevine3984]

They look amazing. Just purchased a 24 pack of string cheese. Will give it a try. Thanks angel eyes.

[@SugarSpunRun]

I hope you love them! 😊

[@myfaveutubes]

Hello I really, may I ask where you purchased that thermometer. I like that it’s small.

[@SugarSpunRun]

I actually linked to it in the description. 😊

[@myfaveutubes]

@@SugarSpunRun thank you!

[@shroomgod1990]

Is that block mozzarella brand as good as polly-o? We’ll appreciatea fast response as I want to prep tmw morning. Thank you. Great video. Keep them coming

[@SugarSpunRun]

I think it's better. :)

[@shroomgod1990]

@@SugarSpunRun thanks, ill try that one next time as i used polly-o this time. I used to use the sticks it just felt more convenient and there still good, but the block is next level. I took your advice on that thank you. Never going back to the sticks. I think another crucial step i got from one other review is to double coat them. I dont double on the flour just the egg wash & breadcrumbs, but it does cover everything for sure and makes it just a little crispier. I like your review the best great job & thank you.

[@claudiaburningham2339]

Hi, I didn't realize my cooling rack wouldn't fit in the freezer. I have just prepared them all 🙄 Is it ok if I put them in the fridge? How long for ? Thank you

[@SugarSpunRun]

I’d probably transfer them to something that will fit in the freezer. It’ll just end up making an extra dish for you

[@claudiaburningham2339]

@@SugarSpunRun ok, thank you so much

[@Ginge2417]

Once cooked can these be frozen and heated up for a later meal?

[@SugarSpunRun]

I recommend freezing before the cooking step 😊

[@gruntcty757]

No double coating. That's a key part

[@Tuffonesfr]

Would it be weird to do the same with cheddar

[@SugarSpunRun]

Nope. 😊

[@deeterr1227]

What size is your spider strainer? I need a larger one. Big family😁

[@SugarSpunRun]

The one in the video is about 5 inches in diameter. You do want to be careful about doing too many at once though so you can keep your oil temperature pretty consistent. :)

[@deeterr1227]

@@SugarSpunRun Thank you!😬

[@luke125]

You’re looking beautiful as always Sam and the recipe is pretty good too.

[@SugarSpunRun]

Thank you! 😊

[@theonlookerofficial_]

Cheese is good

[@jeannettekilpatrick5431]

Katie 👍

[@rjhegwood]

☺

[@VondaInWonderland]

What is Panko?

[@SugarSpunRun]

A type of bread crumb. :)

[@VondaInWonderland]

@@SugarSpunRun Thanks 👍

[@alonzosandoval6733]

Where is the air fried sticks video?

[@cidobrescu]

I prefer sunflower oil....Canola use to be engine oil...then they "engineered " to be used for cooking...weeeeeu!

[@brandondenson2983]

Egg or aegg

[@iwonderwhatmydognamedme4000]

Ik that cheese pull hurt like a b***😂😂

[@lisagill9971]

💖👼🏻🌺

[@kpeters080188]

WTF where's the string cheese at?

[@lilyturlais492]

Jesus ❤ u, love and forgive as Jesus forgave you, love your neighbor as yourself, ❤ live for God ❤ turn to God ❤ give your life to God ❤ Jesus died for you ❤

[@jasona.126]

"Turning String Cheese into Mozzarella Sticks". I'll save you some time- she gets a chunk of mozzarella and cuts it into sticks. She puts the string cheese back in the fridge : /

[@SugarSpunRun]

You can use either interchangeably. You already know how to prep string cheese - just unpeel. Cutting the mozzarella was worth showing :)

[@majinpvegeta]

There's one mistake you made. Always double coat your sticks! Flower, Egg wash, bread crumbs, repeat.. then freeze.

[@stephenkiszenia79]

Yes!!!!

[@Paul-ng4jx]

If you do use a baking sheet, just put a little flower on it or something or even extra Panko and it won’t stick preferably Panko if you don’t want the white flour on your Panko crust

[@thelazychefandme]

You did not cook what is in your title. Click bait.

[@SugarSpunRun]

Ummmm what? You can do this with string cheese sticks as stated in the recipe

[@thelazychefandme]

@@SugarSpunRun but that isn’t what you cooked. Mislead in the title.

[@SugarSpunRun]

I think you’re being a little pedantic here. It’s not at all misleading. Use a cheese stick or cut the mozzarella. I show the cut mozzarella because that’s more helpful, with string cheese you just skip the cutting. I show the string cheese and discuss. Hope that was helpful but I would also recommend watching the video before commenting :)

[@thelazychefandme]

@@SugarSpunRun I did watch the video. Expecting what was in the title…

[@SugarSpunRun]

Haha, I’m just going to say I think this channel is not the one for you, friend.

[@outdooreli]

They were terrible

[@SugarSpunRun]

Why? I can probably help you fix the issue. 😊

[@beatsfortheweek4552]

This isnt string cheese dummy

[@tonyrodriguez2680]

You talk to much

[@SugarSpunRun]

I do like the sound of my own voice

[@Paul-ng4jx]

If you really want to crush them down, you should just put it into a small little food processor in powder it up a little, not a big food processor like a little mini one like I have

[@Paul-ng4jx]

And when you deep fry or air fry, you don’t freeze it because then you’re gonna have an even eating because you’re gonna have cold spots all over or you might have a colder spot here in the colder spot there and put it in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes just telling you from a professional point of view I fried chicken all the time and when you want that coding to really stick you put it in the refrigerator you don’t put it in the freezer freezer is the dumbest thing you can possibly do now if you’re going to cut steaks it’s best to freeze it towards got enough fitness to win when you cut it you’re gonna have perfect slices that’s the only thing the freezer is for not putting it in there for an hour then you completely frozen and soon as you put it in the oil it’s gonna instantly cool down your oil it’s going to unevenly cook your mozzarella sticks, so please refrigerator everybody for 20 minutes only if that not even that

[@Paul-ng4jx]

And if you don’t believe me with the freezer things, go to your local restaurant, when one that makes fresh mozzarella sticks, and see if they put their stuff in the freezer that is unprofessional, I know I worked for chilies too and we made mozzarella sticks fresh and we did not stick them in the freezer. That’s the wrong thing to do, that is only something that people from home would do because they weren’t professionally trained properly

[@SugarSpunRun]

I am going to have to just respectfully disagree with you on this. I'm glad you have a method that works for you but I stand behind his version. I would say my professional training and experience in a professional kitchen is probably on par with yours, I prepared mozzarella sticks at a restaurant for 6 years, and I think the recipe I shared here is the best I've ever tried :)

[@lilyturlais492]

Jesus ❤ u, love and forgive as Jesus forgave you, love your neighbor as yourself, ❤ live for God ❤ turn to God ❤ give your life to God ❤ Jesus died for you ❤

[@lilyturlais492]

Jesus ❤ u, love and forgive as Jesus forgave you, love your neighbor as yourself, ❤ live for God ❤ turn to God ❤ give your life to God ❤ Jesus died for you ❤

[@lilyturlais492]

Jesus ❤ u, love and forgive as Jesus forgave you, love your neighbor as yourself, ❤ live for God ❤ turn to God ❤ give your life to God ❤ Jesus died for you ❤

[@lilyturlais492]

Jesus ❤ u, love and forgive as Jesus forgave you, love your neighbor as yourself, ❤ live for God ❤ turn to God ❤ give your life to God ❤ Jesus died for you ❤

[@lilyturlais492]

Jesus ❤ u, love and forgive as Jesus forgave you, love your neighbor as yourself, ❤ live for God ❤ turn to God ❤ give your life to God ❤ Jesus died for you ❤

[@lilyturlais492]

Jesus ❤ u, love and forgive as Jesus forgave you, love your neighbor as yourself, ❤ live for God ❤ turn to God ❤ give your life to God ❤ Jesus died for you ❤