Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsThe CaféMozzarella Sticks Recipe

Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

Inspired by The Café
Time45m
Serves4

Breaded mozzarella cheese sticks served with marinara sauce.

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Ingredients

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For the Mozzarella Sticks

For the Marinara Sauce

Method

For the Mozzarella Sticks

  1. 1

    Prepare the cheese

    Freeze the mozzarella cheese sticks for about 30 minutes until firm. This helps them hold their shape while frying.

  2. 2

    Set up the breading station

    In three separate shallow bowls, place the flour in the first bowl, whisk the eggs in the second bowl, and combine the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper in the third bowl.

  3. 3

    Bread the mozzarella sticks

    Take each mozzarella stick from the freezer, coat it in flour, then dip it in the egg mixture, and finally roll it in the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure each stick is well-coated. Repeat until all sticks are breaded.

  4. 4

    Heat the oil

    In a large, deep skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350°F (175°C). You can check the temperature by dropping a small piece of bread into the oil; if it sizzles, it’s ready.

  5. 5

    Fry the mozzarella sticks

    Carefully add the breaded mozzarella sticks to the hot oil in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 1-2 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

For the Marinara Sauce

  1. 6

    Prepare the sauce

    In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.

  2. 7

    Combine ingredients

    Add the canned crushed tomatoes, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and sugar to the saucepan. Stir well to combine.

  3. 8

    Simmer the sauce

    Bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld.

  4. 9

    Serve

    Remove from heat and serve the marinara sauce warm alongside the fried mozzarella sticks.

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