Fried Cheese Sticks with Tomato Sauce

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with these crispy, golden Fried Cheese Sticks with Tomato Sauce! This crowd-pleasing appetizer pairs perfectly gooey mozzarella sticks, encased in a flavorful breadcrumb coating seasoned with garlic powder and oregano, with a rich, homemade tomato dipping sauce infused with basil and sautéed onions. The recipe ensures perfectly melted centers by freezing the breaded cheese before frying, while the quick, stovetop marinara brings fresh, vibrant flavor to every bite. Ideal for parties, game nights, or an indulgent snack, these easy-to-make cheese sticks are sure to delight cheese lovers of all ages. Ready in just 35 minutes, this dish combines simplicity with irresistible flavor.

Nutriscore Rating: 52/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 pieces Mozzarella cheese sticks
• 1 cup All-purpose flour
• 2 large Eggs
• 2 tablespoons Milk
• 1 cup Breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 4 cups Vegetable oil
• 1 cup Canned crushed tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
• 0.25 cup Onion
• 1 clove Garlic
• 1 teaspoon Dried basil

Directions

Step 1

Prepare the breading station by placing flour in one shallow dish, whisked eggs mixed with milk in a second dish, and breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper in a third dish.

Step 2

Cut mozzarella cheese sticks in half, if desired, for smaller servings.

Step 3

Coat each cheese stick in flour, then dip it into the egg mixture, and finally coat it thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat the process for all cheese sticks for a thicker breading.

Step 4

Place breaded cheese sticks on a baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour to prevent melting during frying.

Step 5

Meanwhile, prepare the tomato sauce. Heat extra virgin olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Step 6

Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 2 minutes.

Step 7

Stir in crushed tomatoes and dried basil. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat and keep warm.

Step 8

In a large pot or deep fryer, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (180°C).

Step 9

Fry the frozen cheese sticks in batches for about 1–2 minutes, or until golden brown. Avoid overcrowding the pot to ensure even frying.

Step 10

Remove fried cheese sticks with a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 11

Serve the fried cheese sticks immediately with the warm tomato sauce on the side for dipping.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1569.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	8400.1

Total Fat 868.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 126.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 537.6g
Cholesterol 374.7mg	0%
Sodium 3331.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 200.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.7g	0%
Total Sugars 22.2g
Protein 45.6g	0%

Vitamin D 95.0IU	0%
Calcium 265.7mg	0%
Iron 15.2mg	0%
Potassium 1257.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 88.8%

Protein: 2.1%

Carbs: 9.1%