Cheese Sticks

Oozing with cheese in every bite, these cheese sticks are a great choice for an easy party appetizer or snack.

Table of Contents

Cheese Sticks Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Cheese Sticks Recipe
How To Serve Fried Cheese Sticks
Storing Homemade Cheese Sticks
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE

I’m not sure what it is about cheese sticks, but they are just so darn irresistible with their warm, gooey, cheesy goodness wrapped up in a crispy coating. If you’re looking for a classic appetizer or snack that everyone will love, look no further than fried cheese sticks.

close up shot of Cheese Sticks on a plate with marinara sauce

Cheese Sticks Ingredients

Cheese Sticks raw ingredients that are labeled

With their satisfyingly crisp exterior and warm, gooey interior, each bite of these cheese sticks is guaranteed to deliver a mouthful of flavor.

Whether you prefer them plain or with a side dipping sauce, cheese sticks are a crowd-pleaser that never disappoints.

You’ll need:

2 large eggs
2 tablespoons of whole milk
¾ cup of all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons of cornstarch
¾ cup of plain breadcrumbs
¾ cup of plain panko breadcrumbs
1½ tablespoons of Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons of onion powder
½ teaspoon of kosher salt
½ teaspoon of black pepper
¼ teaspoon of smoked paprika
4 cups of vegetable oil for frying
12 string cheese sticks, cut in half

Substitutions And Additions

ONION POWDER: You can substitute garlic powder for onion powder.

SPICY: If you want a spicy alternative, you can add sriracha or hot sauce to the egg mixture.

How To Make This Cheese Sticks Recipe

Once you prepare the components to bread the cheese sticks, you will go about coating them and frying them to golden perfection. Here’s how:

STEP ONE: Add the eggs and milk to a small bowl. Use a fork to beat the eggs and milk together until completely incorporated. Set it aside.

STEP TWO: Add the all-purpose flour and cornstarch to a pie plate or shallow bowl. Whisk to combine. Set it aside.

flour and cornstarch whisked together in a bowl

STEP THREE: Add the plain bread crumbs, panko crumbs, Italian seasoning, onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika to a pie plate or shallow bowl. Whisk to combine. Set it aside.

bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, pepper, and paprika whisked together in a bowl

STEP FOUR: Add the vegetable oil to a 3 to 4-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan and heat over medium-high heat to 350°F.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Be sure that you have enough oil so that it is at least 3 to 4 inches deep.

STEP FIVE: While the oil is heating, dredge each piece of cheese in the egg mixture.

cheese stick dredge in the egg mixture in a bowl

STEP SIX: Next, dredge in the flour mixture.

cheese stick dredge in the flour mixture in a bowl

STEP SEVEN: Dip the cheese sticks back in the egg mixture a second time before dredging in the breadcrumb mixture.

PRO TIP:

Make sure the cheese is very well coated in the breadcrumbs. You want the oil to fry the breadcrumbs, not get to the cheese underneath.

cheese sticks dipped into the egg mixture in a bowl

STEP EIGHT: Once the oil reaches 350°F, using tongs, carefully place 4 to 5 coated cheese sticks in the hot oil. You will need to turn the cheese sticks, and it will only take 30 seconds to 1 minute to cook them. They should only be golden brown. Adjust the stovetop temperature up or down to keep the oil at the right temperature.

PRO TIP:

It is very important to use a cooking thermometer for the oil. This will help you know when to adjust the stovetop temperature to keep the oil at 350°F.

cheese sticks in a heated oil on a frying pan

STEP NINE: Place the fried cheese sticks on paper towels to drain the excess oil. Eat while hot.

How To Serve Fried Cheese Sticks

Serve these cheesy appetizers for a game day snack or even an after-school snack. Add ranch dressing, pizza sauce, homemade marinara sauce, or any other favorite dipping sauce that you’d like.

For those who want something a bit heartier, try serving them with some crispy French fries or a side Caesar salad to round out the meal.

While you are frying delicious finger foods, check out our fried ravioli and fried pickles too.

MORE APPETIZER RECIPES

Side Dishes

Bacon Mac and Cheese

Side Dishes

Cucumber Salad

Storing Homemade Cheese Sticks

By following these guidelines, you can keep the cheese sticks fresh and delicious for longer, ensuring you always have a delightful treat at hand.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftover homemade cheese sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze the cooked and cooled fried cheese sticks in the freezer for up to 1 month.

close up shot Cheese Sticks on a plate with marinara sauce

These melty and delicious cheese sticks make the perfect appetizer. The whole family will love the breadcrumb coating that gives way to ooey, gooey cheese. It might just become your new favorite snack.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I freeze deep-fried cheese sticks?

Homemade cheese sticks can be kept in the freezer for up to one month.

Does it matter what kind of cheese I use?

This easy recipe will work with cheddar or mozzarella, or any other type of cheese strings you find at the grocery store.

What kind of hot oil is best for deep frying?

Fry only with oils that have a high smoking point. The smoking point is the temperature it takes for the oil to start to break down and smoke. Once it smokes, it’s not suitable for frying. Good oils to use are peanut oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, corn oil, or vegetable oil. Olive oil, on the other hand, is not a good oil to fry in.

More Recipes You’ll Love

Cheese Sticks

5 from 1 vote

Oozing with cheese in every bite, these cheese sticks are a great choice for an easy party appetizer or snack.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 2

Total Time 12

Servings

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Ingredients

2 large eggs
2 tablespoons whole milk
¾ cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
¾ cup plain bread crumbs
¾ cup plain panko bread crumbs
1½ tablespoons Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons onion powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
4 cups vegetable oil, for frying
12 string cheese sticks, cut in half

Instructions

Add the eggs and milk to a small mixing bowl. Use a fork to beat the eggs and milk together until completely incorporated. Set it aside.
Add the all-purpose flour and cornstarch to a pie plate or shallow bowl. Whisk to combine. Set it aside.
Add the plain bread crumbs, panko bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika to a pie plate or shallow bowl. Whisk to combine. Set it aside.
Add the vegetable oil to a 3 to 4-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan and heat over medium-high heat to 350°F.
While the oil is heating, dredge the halved cheese sticks in the egg mixture.
Dredge in the flour mixture.
Dip the cheese sticks back in the egg mixture before dredging in the bread mixture.
Once the oil reaches 350°F, using tongs, carefully place 4 to 5 coated cheese sticks in the heated oil. You will need to turn the cheese sticks, and it will only take 30 seconds to 1 minute to cook the cheese sticks. They should only be golden brown. Adjust the stovetop temperature up or down to keep the oil at the right temperature.
Place the cooked cheese sticks on paper towels to drain the excess oil. Eat while hot. Serve with your favorite marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

Be sure that you have enough oil so that it is at least 3 to 4 inches deep.
Make sure the cheese is very well coated in the breadcrumbs. You want the oil to fry the breadcrumbs, not get to the cheese underneath.
It is very important to use a cooking thermometer for the oil. This will help you know when to adjust the stovetop temperature to keep the oil at 350°F.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!