Baked Mozzarella Sticks are crispy on the outside, gooey and cheesy on the inside, making them a perfect snack or appetizer. Instead of frying, these mozzarella sticks are baked, which means they’re a little lighter but still full of that satisfying crunch and melty cheese we all love.
I love making these when friends come over because they’re so easy to prepare ahead of time and pop in the oven right before serving. Plus, using baking means there’s less mess than frying, and my kitchen feels a little less oily. A great tip is to freeze the sticks before baking — it helps keep them from melting too quickly and turning into a gooey cheese explosion!
To serve, I always go for a simple marinara sauce on the side for dipping. It adds just the right tangy kick and makes these feel like a little party on the plate. Whenever I make these, they disappear fast — kids and adults both can’t get enough of that mix of crunchy and melty. It’s one of those easy recipes that brings everyone together and makes snack time a happy time.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Mozzarella: String cheese is perfect—easy to portion and melts just right. If you want a firmer cheese, try provolone, but it may melt a bit differently.
Bread crumbs: Italian seasoned breadcrumbs add great flavor. If you don’t have them, mix plain breadcrumbs with garlic powder, parsley, and Italian seasoning. Panko can make them extra crunchy.
Parmesan cheese: This adds a nice salty touch to the crust. You can skip it or substitute with Pecorino Romano if you like a sharper flavor.
Egg wash: Beaten eggs with a bit of water create a sticky layer so breadcrumbs cling well. For an egg-free option, try milk or a plant-based milk alternative.
How Can You Keep Mozzarella Sticks from Leaking Cheese While Baking?
The biggest challenge is stopping the cheese from melting out of its coating. Here’s how I handle it:
- Double coat: Dip the cheese sticks twice in egg and breadcrumbs for a thicker shell.
- Freeze before baking: Let the breaded sticks freeze at least 30 mins to firm up the cheese. This helps prevent leaking when they hit the hot oven.
- Watch your bake time: Bake just until the outside is golden brown (8-10 mins). Overbaking can cause more cheese to leak.
- Use cooking spray: Spray the coated sticks to help crisp the outside without needing oil deep frying.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Baking sheet – I use a rimmed sheet lined with parchment or a silicone mat to keep things tidy and make cleanup easy.
- Shallow bowls or plates – for setting up breading stations; you’ll need three for flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs.
- Mixing bowls – handy for beating eggs and mixing breading ingredients.
- Cooking spray or oil spray – to help crisp the coating without frying.
- Cooling rack or plate – to let the sticks cool slightly before serving.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Use different cheeses like provolone or gouda for varied flavor profiles.
- Add spices to breadcrumbs such as paprika, cayenne, or Italian seasoning for extra kick.
- Mix in chopped herbs like basil or oregano into the breadcrumb coating for freshness.
- Serve with different dips like ranch, garlic aioli, or a spicy marinara for variety.
Baked Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cheese Sticks:
- 12 sticks of mozzarella cheese (string cheese works well)
For Breading:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs (or plain breadcrumbs mixed with 1 tsp Italian seasoning, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp dried parsley)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Cooking spray or olive oil spray
For Serving:
- Marinara sauce
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes of preparation time plus at least 30 minutes freezing time to chill the breaded mozzarella sticks before baking. The actual baking takes 8-10 minutes. In total, plan for about 50 minutes to have these delicious mozzarella sticks ready.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Oven and Baking Tray:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use a silicone baking mat. Lightly spray the baking sheet with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Cut and Set Up Breading Stations:
If you’d like smaller bites, cut each mozzarella stick in half. Then prepare three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs mixed with water, and one with the Italian seasoned breadcrumbs combined with Parmesan cheese.
3. Coat the Mozzarella Sticks:
Dip each stick first into the flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the egg wash, ensuring it’s fully coated. Finally, press it into the breadcrumb mixture to coat well. To get extra crispy sticks, repeat the egg and breadcrumb dipping a second time for each stick.
4. Freeze Before Baking:
Place the breaded mozzarella sticks on your prepared baking sheet. Freeze them for at least 30 minutes to help prevent the cheese from melting too fast and leaking out during baking. This step is key to a perfect crispy crust.
5. Bake to Golden Perfection:
After freezing, lightly spray the mozzarella sticks with cooking spray. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them to avoid cheese oozing out.
6. Cool and Serve:
Remove from the oven and let the sticks cool for a few minutes—they’ll be hot straight from the oven! Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping and sprinkle some fresh parsley on top if you like. Enjoy!
Can I Use Frozen Mozzarella Sticks?
Yes! If using frozen mozzarella sticks, thaw them in the fridge before breading to help the coating stick better. For best results, follow the freezing step after breading to prevent cheese leakage during baking.
Can I Bake These Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! Freeze the breaded mozzarella sticks for up to a week before baking. When ready, bake from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to the baking time for perfectly crispy sticks.
What Should I Use if I Don’t Have Italian Seasoned Breadcrumbs?
No worries! Mix plain breadcrumbs with 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon dried parsley for a similar flavor boost.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to bring back that crispy texture.