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Crispy Mozzarella Sticks Recipe with Marinara Sauce

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A quick and easy recipe for crispy mozzarella sticks with a homemade tangy marinara sauce, perfect for snacks or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Mozzarella cheese sticks (low-moisture)
  • All-purpose flour
  • Large eggs, beaten
  • Italian-seasoned or plain panko bread crumbs
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Garlic powder
  • Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Vegetable oil or canola oil (2-3 cups) for frying
  • For the marinara sauce:
  • 28 oz canned crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • A handful fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • Salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar
  • Red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the mozzarella sticks dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. (5 minutes)
  2. Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of bread crumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. (5 minutes)
  3. Coat each mozzarella stick lightly with flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the egg, then roll in the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating once more for a double coat. (10 minutes)
  4. Place the breaded sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour to prevent melting during frying. (1 hour)
  5. Make the marinara sauce: heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute). Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, pepper, sugar, and red pepper flakes if using. Simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until thickened. Stir in fresh basil at the end. (20-25 minutes)
  6. Heat oil in a deep frying pan or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C). (5-10 minutes)
  7. Fry the mozzarella sticks in batches for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. (10 minutes)
  8. Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

Dry the cheese sticks well before breading to ensure crispiness. Freeze the breaded sticks before frying to prevent cheese from oozing out. Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for best results. Fry in small batches to avoid temperature drop. Baking or air frying is possible but results in less crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: mozzarella sticks, crispy mozzarella sticks, homemade mozzarella sticks, marinara sauce, snack recipe, fried cheese sticks, easy snack

Find it online: https://twinkletaste.com/crispy-mozzarella-sticks-recipe-with-marinara-sauce-easy-and-perfect-snack/