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These mozzarella sticks are the perfect appetizer for any gathering. Buttery, cheesy dough is rolled into breadsticks and baked to make warm, pillowy, dippable bites that everyone will love. And all in just 30 minutes!
Easy Homemade Mozzarella Sticks
These cheesy mozzarella sticks come together in just 30 minutes. They are made from a wonderfully easy-to-throw-together, buttery dough loaded with shredded mozzarella and subtly flavored with garlic powder and parsley flakes. The dough is formed into breadsticks and baked into a puffy and golden snack. Serve with marinara sauce, and your guests will be asking for the recipe!
I love hosting, but sometimes getting wonderfully snackable appetizers together in a timely fashion can feel intimidating. That’s why I love quick, easy, yet delicious appetizer recipes like this one.
Why You’ll Love This Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
If you haven’t had mozzarella sticks before, these little beauties are about to change your life. There’s so much to love about them. Here are a few reasons they’ve become a staple in my home.
- Shockingly quick and easy. Who knew making breadsticks could be so easy!? In just a few simple steps (and only 30 minutes) you’ll have yourself a mouthwatering, finger-licking appetizer.
- Versatile. I love how easy it is to make these mozzarella sticks your own. Feel free to change the seasoning or the kind of cheese in the dough and don’t be afraid to play with different dips.
- Perfect for entertaining. These bready snacks are the perfect finger food for larger parties or a wonderful appetizer to serve at the table before diving into your favorite entree. They are big crowd-pleasers and are sure to climb to the top of your recipe list as a host.
What You’ll Need
Here’s a list of ingredients needed to make these cheesy mozzarella sticks.
- All-purpose flour
- Butter: Allow the butter to soften at room temperature before using.
- Part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese: You can use whatever type of shredded cheese you’d like. Freshly grated parmesan, cheddar, pepper jack, muenster, you name it!
- Dried parsley flakes: I love the parsley here, but feel free to use other seasonings. Oregano or Italian seasoning would be great. Try a Cajun or Indian seasoning too.
- Salt, Pepper, & Garlic powder
- Egg yolk
- Milk
- Marinara Sauce: For dipping.
How to Make Mozzarella Sticks
Here is a general overview of how to make these easy baked mozzarella sticks. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for more detailed instructions.
- Make the dough. Beat the flour, butter, cheese, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper on low speed until combined. Work the dough with floured hands until it comes together.
- Form bread sticks. Divide the dough into lime-sized balls, roll into sticks, and arrange on a baking sheet. Whisk together the egg yolk and the milk and brush the mixture over the sticks.
- Bake. Bake the breadsticks at 300˚F for 14 to 16 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Whether you’re serving them as finger food at a cocktail party or as part of the bread basket on your dinner table, these homemade mozzarella sticks are sure to impress. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve them. What’s yours?
- Dipping sauce. This recipe calls for marinara but you could easily dip these cheesy delights in another sauce if you’d like. Ranch dressing, pesto, BBQ sauce, or honey mustard would be delicious.
- With other finger foods. These two-bite apps are perfect for entertaining. Serve them with other finger foods next time you have people over. I’ve been loving these Roasted Parmesan Cauliflower Bites, my Bacon and Chives Cheese Balls, and these Brown Sugar-Glazed Turkey Meatballs.
- Salad. Serve mozzarella sticks with an appetizer salad such as this Green Goddess Salad or my Tomato Burrata Salad.
- Italian fare. Follow these breadsticks with your favorite Italian-inspired entree. Try my Creamy Shrimp Fettuccine Pasta, Italian Sausage Stuffed Onions Recipe, this One Pot Italian Chicken Tortellini, or my Flank Steak Peperonata.
- Cocktails. Mozzarella sticks and cocktails go hand-in-hand. Enjoy them with a Strawberry Pom Mojito, a Grapefruit Rum Cocktail, or these Strawberry Beer Margaritas.
How To Store Extras For Later?
- Refrigerator: Once the mozzarella sticks have cooled to room temperature, seal them in an airtight container. You can store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They should be fine at room temperature for a day or two, but the refrigerator will help preserve them for a bit longer.
- Freezer: Allow the baked mozzarella sticks to cool completely before sealing them in an airtight container. Store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Mozzarella Sticks
- Allow the bread sticks to thaw at room temperature (if applicable). Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 350˚F for 5 to 7 minutes or until heated through.
More Appetizer Ideas to Try
I love having people over and presenting them with an array of mouthwatering appetizers. These mozzarella sticks are some of my favorites but here are some other ideas to get you inspired.
- Cajun Shrimp and Guacamole Tortilla Bites
- Crispy Air Fryer Buffalo Shrimp
- Loaded Baked Potato Bites
- Wonton Chips with Corn Salsa
- Air Fryer Crab Rangoon
- Southwest Egg Rolls
ENJOY!
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Baked Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 8 tablespoons butter,, softened
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and fresh ground black pepper,, to taste
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon milk
- marinara sauce,, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300˚F.
- Line a baking sheet with foil and grease it with cooking spray; set aside.
- Combine flour, butter, cheese, parsley, garlic powder, salt and pepper in your mixer’s bowl.
- Set mixer to low and beat just until combined.
- With floured hands, work the dough with your hands until it holds together.
- Pinch off pieces of dough and shape the dough into lime-sized balls.
- Take the dough ball in between your hands and roll into sticks.
- Place the mozzarella sticks on the baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, whisk together egg yolk and milk.
- Brush the tops of each mozzarella stick with the egg mixture.
- Bake for 14 to 16 minutes, or until just starting to brown.
- Remove from oven and cool completely.
- Serve with warm marinara sauce.
Notes
- Flouring Hands: Flour your hands when working with the dough to prevent it from sticking. This will make the dough easier to handle and shape.
- Uniform Sticks: Try to keep the size of your mozzarella sticks uniform. This helps to ensure that they bake evenly and at the same time.
- Brushing with Egg Mixture: The egg and milk mixture gives the sticks a nice golden brown color. Be sure to cover the entire surface for the best results.
- Checking Doneness: Keep an eye on the mozzarella sticks towards the end of the baking time. You want them to be just starting to brown, not overcooked.
- Cooling Down: Let the sticks cool completely before serving. This allows them to firm up and makes them easier to handle.
- Serving Sauce: Marinara sauce pairs well with these mozzarella sticks, but you can also try other sauces like ranch or aioli for a different flavor profile.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Normally I don’t bother leaving a review, but I saw that this recipe only has a one-star review, and I think it deserves better than that. I made these the other night because it was the only recipe that used shredded cheese, and my family thought they turned out pretty good. They’re certainly not your traditional mozzarella sticks, but they are still yummy.
Thank you! ๐ Yes, these are supposed to be a healthier take on mozzarella sticks which is why they can’t be anything like traditional mozza sticks. ๐
Sorry but this looks great on picture but it was a horrible texture, inedible completely and I donโt say that lightly.
300c or 300f?
Hi!
That would be Fahrenheit.
Ok, I’m commenting again because o wanted to add in all fairness that ounces these stocks cooled down all the way, they hardened enough to be dippable. But I prefer warm mozzarella sticks :). Still a good idea though and I might toy with the recipe!
Hi Shellie!! I love mozza sticks, as well. SO MUCH! ๐ These are just my way of trying to lighten them up. If anything, maybe add an egg white to the mixture and see if that holds better? I hope! ๐
I made these because they looked so yummy. Something didn’t quite work for me – they are pretty crumbly and taste mostly like butter. Not that that’s bad, of course, and dousing anything cheesy and buttery in tomato sauce is never a bad thing, but they did not hold together well enough to dip. Maybe adding an egg to the recipe to help the dough stick together?
Oh, has March madness come to an end? I hadn’t noticed, what with the snow and sleet. ๐
Yummy, yum, yum!!! I’m crushing on these baked sticks of happiness.
Gimme gimme giiiiimmmmmmmeeeee! Oh. Sorry about that… I just really want these mozzarella sticks!
These look perfect! A great way to enjoy them, in a healthier way! I will need this now I am coming up to my big races and need to focus on getting my nutrition right! Thanks for showing me I can have some of the worst foods out there….as they too, can be made good for you ๐
Cheese and tomatoes!
Always a “win-win” ๐