Olive Garden Fried Mozzarella
This homemade version of Olive Garden's iconic fried mozzarella features crispy, golden breading surrounding a deliciously gooey, melted mozzarella center. Perfect as an appetizer or paired with sides for a full meal, this recipe captures the restaurant's classic taste with a few simple ingredients and easy steps. Serve with marinara or your favorite dipping sauce for the ultimate indulgence!
Equipment
- 2-3 shallow bowls (for flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs)
- Deep frying pan or large skillet
- Meat thermometer (optional, to check oil temperature)
- Slotted spoon or tongs (for removing mozzarella sticks)
- Paper towels (for draining excess oil)
- Knife (for cutting mozzarella)
- Cutting Board
- Plate (for serving)
Ingredients
- 12 oz 340g Mozzarella cheese (block or string cheese)
- 1/2 cup 60g All-purpose flour
- 2 large Eggs beaten
- 1 cup 120g Italian-style breadcrumbs (or plain breadcrumbs)
- 1/4 cup 25g Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried Italian seasoning oregano, basil
- 1 1/2 cups 360ml Vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1/2 cup 120g Marinara sauce (for dipping)
Instructions
Prepare the Mozzarella:
- Slice the mozzarella into 1/2-inch thick sticks (if using a block). If using string cheese, leave it as-is. Freeze the mozzarella sticks for 15-20 minutes to firm them up and prevent the cheese from melting too quickly during frying.
Set Up the Breading Station:
- Set up three shallow dishes. In the first, place the flour; season with a pinch of salt and pepper. In the second, beat the eggs. In the third, combine breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried Italian seasoning.
Bread the Mozzarella:
- Coat each mozzarella stick in flour, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally roll it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs stick. For a thicker coating, you can double bread the sticks by dipping them in egg and breadcrumbs again.
Fry the Mozzarella:
- Heat the oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil reaches 350°F (175°C), carefully add the breaded mozzarella sticks in batches (do not overcrowd the pan). Fry for 2-3 minutes until golden brown, turning occasionally to ensure even frying.
Drain and Serve:
- Use a slotted spoon to remove the mozzarella sticks from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels. Serve hot with marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Freezing Tip: Freezing the mozzarella sticks before frying is key to ensuring the cheese doesn’t leak out while cooking. A quick freeze of 15-20 minutes works best.
- Oil Temperature: Make sure the oil stays at a consistent 350°F (175°C). Too hot and the breading will burn; too cold and the cheese will ooze out. A thermometer helps, but if you don’t have one, a small piece of bread dropped into the oil should brown in 30 seconds.
- Double Bread for Extra Crunch: For an even crunchier coating, dip the mozzarella sticks in the egg and breadcrumbs twice before frying.
- Alternative Cheese: While mozzarella is traditional, you can try other cheeses like provolone or a blend of mozzarella and cheddar for a different twist.