Is there anything better than hot, golden brown Mozzarella Cheese Sticks fresh out of the deep fryer? Yes! When they’re homemade mozzarella sticks and just as easy as frozen ones from the store but they come out of your kitchen.
Here is a recipe for Mozzarella Cheese Sticks from a fellow blogger’s site My Prairie Window and originally from Ree Drummond’s latest cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks.
Want other cheesy delights? Try our amazing Cheesy Bread or Soft Pretzels and Cheese Sauce, always a hit too!!

We have revamped this post for you with new pictures. If you are looking for the old pictures just scroll to the bottom.

Helpful Items for This Recipe
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small portion from qualifying purchases at no extra charge for you.

Keira from My Prairie Window has been of great help and support along my journey into food blogging. We have started at the exact same time and have really tried to help each other out.
This recipe is a very easy, super tasty side dish, appetizer or snack. Who doesn’t love fried cheese, I mean come on this is good stuff!!
I did my own twist with a lovely tomato dipping sauce and gave it a little BAM with some Emeril’s seasoning in the flour. I know you will enjoy this one!!

Crispy on the outside and ooey-gooey on the inside, that is perfection to me!! Cheese sticks of any kind are a huge draw to me but the ones that I find do the best are string cheese sticks for this recipe.
What to eat with mozzarella cheese? Well, mozzarella cheese sticks go great with a tomato dipping marinara sauce.
Is String Cheese and Mozzarella The Same?

Mozzarella sticks are still 100% mozzarella cheese but unlike fresh mozzarella that is in a brine, mozzarella cheese sticks are dried out. They are also heated to 140F.
This heat makes the milk proteins move around and line up in a row. The cheese then becomes very stringy and stretchy and, of course, as you know, fun to play with.
Cheese strings are perfect for this recipe as after they are fried they are still stringy and stretchy and ooey and gooey!!
OOEY GOOEY CHEESE!!

Everyone young and old will love these. Kids go crazy for cheese and for crispy goodness so you know these will be a winner! These would also be great on game day as you cheer your favorite team forward.
I love that they can be made up and stored in the freezer until they go for a pop in the deep fryer. That is a great way to have them on hand and not to stress about getting them ready before company arrives. They are ready and waiting for you!!

Hot out of the fryer (I would try them in an air fryer too) the cheese will melt while the outside is crispy from the panko crumbs. If you are not familiar with panko crumbs they are a Japanese-style breadcrumb traditionally used as a coating for deep-fried foods.
The biggest difference between panko crumbs and bread crumbs is that panko is made from bread with the crusts removed.
How to Make Mozzarella Cheese Sticks with String Cheese?

Once you’ve made the spice blend, it’s actually really fast and easy to make the actual mozzarella cheese sticks. The secret ingredient is using string cheese sticks instead of spending a lot of time trying to shape the mozzarella into a stick.




Setting up an assembly line is the best way to get the mozzarella sticks coated in batter. Bowl one should have the flour and Emeril’s Essence mixture; bowl two will be the milk and egg mixture; and bowl three will be the outer crust – the panko crumb with parsley, salt, and pepper mixture.
Lay the baking sheet beside the third bowl so that you can place it on the baking sheet immediately after coating it. Chill in the freezer for half an hour.

Then heat the oil in a deep fryer, frying pan or wok pan over medium-high heat and deep fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels before serving.
I use canola oil as opposed to olive oil to give them a nice light taste.
It’s really that easy. The hardest part is going to be convincing yourself that you shouldn’t make these every day.


Pin it HERE!!

Mozzarella Cheese Sticks Recipe

Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
Homemade Mozzarella Sticks are easy make-ahead appetizers that wait for you in the freezer until you want to heat up some oil and fry to a golden brown. They have a little extra kick in the spices and are an ooey-gooey favorite.
Ingredients
- 16 string cheese sticks
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp. Emeril's Essence
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups panko crumbs
- 1 Tbsp. dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Canola oil for frying
Dipping sauce
- 19 oz. can tomato sauce
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper or to taste
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
Emeril's Essence
- 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
Instructions
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Kikkoman, Panko Bread Crumbs, 8oz Box (Pack of 3)
-
Hamilton Beach Deep Fryer, 12 Cups / 3 Liters Oil Capacity, Frying Basket with Hooks, Lid with View Window, Stainless Steel, Professional Grade, Electric, 1500 Watts (35033)
-
T-fal A80789 Specialty Nonstick Dishwasher Safe Oven Safe PFOA-Free Jumbo Wok Cookware, 14-Inch, Black
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 32 Serving Size: 2Amount Per Serving:Calories: 94Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 634mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 5g
Recipe calculation was provided by Nutritionix and is an estimation only. If you need nutritional calculations for medical reasons, please use a source that you trust.

Adapted from The Pioneer Woman Cooks
Emeril’s Essence by Emeril Lagasse

Comments & Reviews
Emily says
My heavens, I want this! NOW!
Keira says
They look amazing! Need to make them again, like today!!!
Jen @ Juanita's Cocina says
Stringy cheeeeeeese! Yes pleeeeease!
Geraldine Saucier says
I love these Mozzarella Cheese Sticks. They are a favorite of my kids. I can’t wait to make them. Thanks for a great post:)
Katie says
I don’t think I could trust myself with an entire plate of these!
Rachel (teacher-chef) says
WOW – I have made something like this before but never before have mine turned out this awesome looking. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Jesica @ Pencil Kitchen says
This is something i often eat as a kid. you got me reminiscing!
Sarah says
Congrats on making Tastespotting again!
beti says
That photo can be dangerous, melting cheese is one of the best things of life
Tes says
It’s a winner! Crispy on the outside and oozy from the inside… My family will be so exciting with this dish 🙂
The View From the Table says
Oh wow, these look divine! x
Nava Krishnan says
Made to perfection and the sticks looks so tempting, what more with the sauce. I can imagine the wonderful taste and more of these sticks for me as I don’t think one stick will be enough for me.
Griffin's Grub says
I would be so all over that right now. I’m starving and its too early for lunch but I want to eat that anyway.
Rachel Low says
These look sooo good!!!!
Michelle says
Tara,
This looks super yummy. Thanks for sharing at Creative Thursday last week. I can’t wait to see what you link up this week. Have a great day 🙂
Michelle
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thank you everyone, I have to make these again. Well I have but maybe again and again!!
Kim Bee says
Oh my goodness, those are some insanely good moz sticks. Love!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thank you, they are very good!!
Alayna says
Do you fill the pan with enough to oil to completely coat the sticks, top and bottom? Or just enough to coat the bottom of the pan?
Noshing with the Nolands says
Yes, you need a few inches of oil so that they are deep fried.
Leo says
Oh my goodness… They are so delicious!!!
Noshing with the Nolands says
I am so glad you liked them!!
Kei says
OMG I am so gonna make this for my party!!
Noshing with the Nolands says
They are great for a party as you can make them ahead of time and have them ready in the freezer. Just a quick dunk in the hot oil and they are ready to go!!
Kate@Diethood says
These mozza sticks look amazing!!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks Kate, they are pretty yummy!
Jane Jones says
I was wondering if you could bake these?
Noshing with the Nolands says
Hmmmm, not sure. You could try a few and if it isn’t working go back to that nasty deep fry method.
Janice Jorgensen says
Just made these mozzarella sticks for the twins birthday dinner tonight/pizza night. I had to use a extra egg to dip twice the panko didn’t stick with the first dunk…….they sucked up all the juice and I had to add more panko to finish it off. They look amazing the final test will be soon. Just wanted to say that I think the emeril spices added the right touch. Thanks for sharing
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. We have made these many times and they have always been a hit!!!
janice jorgensen says
they were a big hit with everyone even my pickey husband…..will make them again and again
Noshing with the Nolands says
Now you are making me want them again. Mmmmm!! Thanks Janice!!
Maris says
I have a major weakness for mozzarella sticks and these look fantastic!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much for coming over Maris!!
katie says
these look so good. i love mozzarella sticks and must admit that i’ve never thought to make them at home by scratch! must make soon!
Noshing with the Nolands says
They could be made ahead of time too and just kept in the freezer. Ready when you are!!
Timmy cates says
Yummy
Cara says
I made these tonight (eating as im typing) they taste great! I think the only thing I need to adjust is how high the heat is set for the oil. When I pulled mine out at the same golden color as yours the cheese was not melted. I had to leave them in longer which made them darker. Do you have to freeze them? Or can u put them in the oil directly after coating them?
Noshing with the Nolands says
I think your oil was too hot. Try it again but you could also try it unfrozen. ENJOY!!!
Betsy @ Desserts Required says
Looks delicious! I love the BAM that you added to the sauce!
Betsy @ Desserts Required says
Looks delicious! I love the BAM that you added to the sauce!
Surkhab says
looking delicious….i will try this soon…!!
Cathy says
Thanks for sharing at the Happiness Is Homemade Link Party! Pinning to the party board and can’t wait to see what happiness posts you share next week! Have a terrific week!
Cathy
APeekIntoMyParadise.com
Linda @ForkandForage says
Oh Tara, the way you captured that cheese oozing is literally making my mouth water. These look absolutely amazing!!!!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thank you so much Linda!!
Nettie Moore says
Such OOEY GOOEY deliciousness Tara! Can I have a dozen now?? Nettie
Julie @White Lights on Wednesday says
Emeril’s Essence is one of my favorite seasonings. These Mozzarella Sticks look freaking amazing Tara. I can just taste them looking at this pic!
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Julie!! I really appreciate all you do!!
David says
Can these be baked?
Noshing with the Nolands says
I have never tried them baked. You could give it a whirl. Spray them with cooking spray first.
Mary O'Malley says
Wow these look fantastic! I am definitely going to make these soon.
Noshing with the Nolands says
Thanks so much Mary, enjoy!
Doris says
How hot do you heat the oil in the deep fryer? I did this and I had a mozzarella glopping mess.
Tara Noland says
I don’t use our deep fryer that often but the rule of thumb is to 350F. I do a lot of frying in a wok or deep fry pan and heat until a small amount of bread dropped in sizzles on medium heat. Initially heating at medium high.
shohreh says
Iloved cooking
Elizabeth says
This sounds absolutely amazing! I wish I had a plate of these in front of me right now!
LydiaF says
The breading looks really delicious! I’ll bet it’s nice to bite into 🙂
The Food Hunter says
I’m going to be thinking of these all day!
Joanne/WineLady Cooks says
These are such a wonderful snack or side dish.
Janette@culinaryginger says
Stringy and crispy, just how cheese sticks should be and I could probably eat way too many.
Diane says
Hmm I just made a batch of tomato sauce that would go very well with these cheesy sticks of yumminess. Thanks for the great snack idea Tara!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
Can I say all I want to do is face-plant myself in these. yeap.
Manila Spoon says
The perfect crowd-pleaser! So cheesy-licious!
Kristen says
I totally forgot about Emril’s essence! I love it! these look so good!!!!
Debi @ Life Currents says
I’ve seen these on Pinterest, and every time I want them more and more! Yum!
Del's cooking twist says
Oh I love the idea! I never tried this before but it’s on my to do list now, looks delish!
justine @ Full Belly SIsters says
these look heavenly!
Healing Tomato says
This is my idea of comfort food. Looks super delicious.
Katerina says
I wish I could stretch my hand and grab couple of those beauties!
Lois Frank says
How do I just print off the recipe??????
Tara Noland says
Hi Lois, sorry this is an old recipe when I didn’t use the print out portion but let me fix that for you. Otherwise you could copy and paste into a word document.
Ivory says
We love these babies, and can not wait to make some. Thank you!
Karen says
Could you use an air fryer to cook these? I have high cholesterol and need to stay away from deep fried foods, but these look so good!. If you can then what temp and for how long? Thank you so much!!
Tara Noland says
I honestly haven’t tried them in the air fryer but I would spray them first with a bit of oil and then air fry at 400F. for about 5-7 minutes. They should turn out to be yummy this way too.