Olive Garden Mozzarella Sticks
Recreate the beloved Olive Garden mozzarella sticks at home with this easy-to-follow recipe. These crispy, golden sticks of melted mozzarella cheese are coated with seasoned breadcrumbs and fried to perfection. Perfect for parties, movie nights, or as an appetizer, they offer the perfect balance of crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside. Serve them with a marinara dipping sauce for an authentic Olive Garden experience!
Equipment
- Deep Fryer or Large Pot: 1
- Shallow bowls – 3 (for breading station)
- Cooking Thermometer: 1 (optional but recommended)
- Slotted Spoon or Tongs: 1 (for removing sticks from oil)
- Baking Sheet: 1 (for freezing sticks)
- Paper Towels: A few (for draining excess oil)
Ingredients
- 12 sticks 1 package Mozzarella cheese (string cheese or block mozzarella, cut into sticks)
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 2 large Eggs beaten
- 2 cups Breadcrumbs Italian-style
- ¼ cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Garlic powder
- ½ tsp Onion powder
- ½ tsp Dried oregano
- ½ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying (enough to submerge the sticks)
- Marinara sauce for dipping (optional)
Instructions
Prep the mozzarella sticks:
- If using block mozzarella, cut it into uniform sticks (about 3-4 inches long and 1/2 inch wide). If using string cheese, you can skip this step. Place the mozzarella sticks in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to firm them up.
Prepare the breading station:
- Set up three shallow bowls:
- In the first bowl, add the flour and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- In the second bowl, beat the eggs.
- In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, and dried oregano.
Coat the mozzarella sticks:
- First, dip each frozen mozzarella stick into the flour mixture, coating it evenly. Then, dip it into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully coated. Finally, roll the stick in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the breadcrumbs. For an extra thick coating, repeat the egg wash and breadcrumbs steps. Place the coated sticks on a baking sheet and freeze for another 15-20 minutes.
Heat the oil:
- In a deep fryer or large pot, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to ensure the temperature stays consistent.
Fry the mozzarella sticks:
- Carefully drop a few mozzarella sticks into the hot oil, ensuring they don’t overcrowd. Fry for 2-3 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Remove the sticks from the oil using a slotted spoon or tongs, and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
Serve and enjoy:
- Serve the mozzarella sticks immediately with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
- Freezing is key: Be sure to freeze the mozzarella sticks before frying. This helps prevent the cheese from melting out during frying and ensures a better texture.
- Make it lighter: You can bake or air fry these mozzarella sticks for a healthier alternative. For baking, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake for about 10 minutes until golden.
- Dipping sauces: While marinara sauce is classic, you can try other dips like ranch, garlic butter, or spicy ketchup to mix things up.
- Storage: Leftover mozzarella sticks can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer to keep the crust crispy.