Introduction

Oh, hello there, my friend! Are you ready for a little bit of kitchen magic that’ll transport you straight back to childhood slumber parties and Friday night pizza parties? I’m talking about something so ridiculously delicious and surprisingly simple, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it before. We’re diving into the wonderful world of deep-fried pizza sticks, complete with gooey, melty mozzarella cheese inside and a perfectly crispy coating. This recipe is an absolute winner, perfect for a quick weeknight treat or a guaranteed hit at your next get-together.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Seriously, this comes together in a flash, perfect for when that pizza craving hits hard.
Easy: Even if you’re a beginner in the kitchen, you’ll nail this. It’s all about simple steps and big flavor.
Giftable: Imagine a jar of these, cooled and nestled in a cute box – instant homemade gift that’s sure to be devoured!
Crowd-pleasing: Who can resist a crispy, cheesy bite? These are universally loved by kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

Gather your ingredients, and let’s get this party started!

1 package refrigerated pizza dough – The easiest starting point for these goodies!
8 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into sticks – Fresh mozzarella is best for that glorious melt.
1 cup marinara sauce – For the essential dipping action. Grab your favorite!
1 cup all-purpose flour – Our first layer of coating for that crispy texture.
2 eggs, beaten – The glue that holds our breadcrumbs in place.
1 cup Italian breadcrumbs – These add that perfect savory crunch.
Vegetable oil for frying – You’ll need enough to get things nice and bubbly.

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get our aprons on and create some deliciousness!

Heat the Oil: First things first, let’s get our oil ready. Pour enough vegetable oil into a deep fryer or a heavy-bottomed pot to reach about 2-3 inches deep. Heat it up to 375°F (190°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test it by dropping a tiny piece of breadcrumb in – it should sizzle and turn golden brown quickly.
Prep the Dough: Unroll your package of pizza dough. It’s usually a good size, so cut it into roughly 3-inch by 4-inch rectangles. Don’t stress about perfection here; rustic charm is part of the appeal!
Cheese Time: Take one of your mozzarella sticks and place it right in the center of a dough rectangle.
Seal the Deal: Now, fold that dough rectangle over the mozzarella stick. Gently pinch the edges all the way around to make sure the cheese is completely sealed inside. You want to create a little pizza pocket!
Set Up Your Dredging Station: This is where the magic happens for that crispy exterior. Get three shallow dishes ready. Put the all-purpose flour in the first, the beaten eggs in the second, and the Italian breadcrumbs in the third.
Flour Power: Take each dough-wrapped mozzarella stick and first give it a good roll in the flour. Make sure it’s coated evenly on all sides, then gently shake off any excess flour.
Egg Wash: Next, dip the floured stick into the beaten eggs. Let any extra egg drip back into the dish. This is crucial for making sure the breadcrumbs stick like a charm.
Breadcrumb Bliss: Finally, coat the egg-dipped stick with the Italian breadcrumbs. Give it a gentle press to make sure those breadcrumbs adhere well. Repeat this process for all your pizza sticks.
Fry Away: Carefully, and I mean carefully, place the breaded sticks into the hot oil. Don’t overcrowd your pot! Fry them in batches so they can get nice and crispy all around.
Golden Brown Perfection: Fry for about 2-3 minutes per side. You’re looking for that beautiful golden brown color, and you’ll know they’re ready when the cheese inside is melted and starting to peek through.
Drain and Rest: Once they’re perfectly golden, remove them from the hot oil. I like to place mine on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, or you can use paper towels to absorb any extra oil.
Serve Hot: And the best part? Serve them immediately with that warm marinara sauce for dipping. Pure happiness in every bite!

Substitutions & Additions

Feeling a little adventurous? Let’s jazz these up!

Cheese Swap: While mozzarella is classic, feel free to try provolone, a little bit of cheddar, or even a sprinkle of Parmesan inside with the mozzarella for extra flavor.
Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your breadcrumbs or even a tiny bit of garlic powder for an extra kick.
Herbaceous Touch: Mix some dried Italian herbs like oregano and basil into your breadcrumbs for an even more authentic pizza flavor.
Different Dipping Sauces: Beyond marinara, try ranch dressing, garlic butter, or even a spicy aioli for a different flavor experience.

Tips for Success

A few little secrets to make sure your pizza sticks are absolutely perfect every time.

Seal Tightly: This is probably the most important tip! Make sure you really pinch those dough edges closed to prevent any cheese leakage while frying.
Oil Temperature is Key: If your oil isn’t hot enough, the pizza sticks will absorb too much oil and become greasy. Too hot, and they’ll burn before the cheese melts. Stick to that 375°F (190°C)!
Don’t Overcrowd: I know it’s tempting to fry them all at once, but trust me, frying in batches gives them space to get that amazing, even crispiness.
Prep Ahead: You can assemble the pizza sticks (dough wrapped around cheese) and keep them on a baking sheet in the fridge for a few hours before you plan to fry them. Just make sure they are well-covered so they don’t dry out.

How to Store It

If by some miracle you have leftovers (which I doubt!), here’s how to keep them:

Once completely cooled, you can store these deep-fried pizza sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, I recommend popping them in an oven or toaster oven at around 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until they’re warm and crispy again. Microwaving will make them a bit soggy, so I generally avoid that.

FAQs

Can I air fry these instead of deep frying? Yes, you absolutely can! You’ll want to spray them generously with cooking spray and air fry at around 380°F (190°C) for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
What if my cheese leaks out? Don’t worry if it happens! It’s usually a sign that the dough wasn’t sealed quite tight enough or the oil was too hot. Just try to pinch those edges firmly next time. A little bit of melted cheese in the oil isn’t the end of the world!
Can I make the dough myself? You can! If you’re feeling ambitious, a simple homemade pizza dough will work beautifully. Just make sure it’s rested and easy to work with.

Deep-Fried Pizza Sticks with Melty Mozzarella

Golden Goodness: Easy Deep-Fried Pizza Sticks with Melty Mozzarella are a fun and delicious childhood favorite, perfect for a quick weeknight treat or a crowd-pleasing snack. Crispy on the outside with gooey mozzarella on the inside, these are sure to be a hit!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 5

Servings 8

Equipment

Deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot For frying
Wire rack For draining fried sticks
Baking Sheet To place under wire rack
Shallow dishes For dredging station
Thermometer Optional, for oil temperature

Ingredients

Main ingredients

1 package refrigerated pizza dough The easiest starting point
8 oz mozzarella cheese Cut into sticks, fresh mozzarella is best
1 cup marinara sauce For dipping

For Coating

1 cup all-purpose flour First layer of coating
2 eggs Beaten
1 cup Italian breadcrumbs Adds savory crunch

For Frying

vegetable oil Enough for 2-3 inches deep in pot

Instructions

Heat the oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 375°F (190°C).
1 package refrigerated pizza dough
Unroll pizza dough and cut into roughly 3-inch by 4-inch rectangles.
1 package refrigerated pizza dough
Place a mozzarella stick in the center of each dough rectangle.
1 package refrigerated pizza dough
Fold the dough over the mozzarella, sealing the edges tightly to create a pocket.
1 package refrigerated pizza dough
Set up a dredging station with flour in the first dish, beaten eggs in the second, and Italian breadcrumbs in the third.
1 package refrigerated pizza dough
Roll each dough-wrapped mozzarella stick in flour, then dip in beaten eggs, and finally coat with breadcrumbs, pressing gently.
1 package refrigerated pizza dough
Carefully place breaded sticks into the hot oil in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot.
1 package refrigerated pizza dough
Fry for about 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Remove sticks from oil and drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
Serve hot with marinara sauce for dipping.
1 package refrigerated pizza dough

Notes

For best results, ensure the dough is sealed tightly around the cheese to prevent leakage during frying. Maintaining the correct oil temperature is crucial for achieving a crispy exterior without burning.