Crispy, golden on the outside with gooey mozzarella inside — these Deep Fried Pizza Sticks are the ultimate comfort snack. Perfect for parties, game nights, or anytime your cheesy cravings strike, they deliver all the flavors of pizza in a handheld, dunkable bite.
📝 Recipe Card
Servings & Timing
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 sticks
Dietary Badges
✅ Kid-Friendly
✅ Party Snack
✅ Comfort Food
Ingredients
- 1 package store-bought pizza dough
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into sticks
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Marinara sauce, for dipping
Instructions
- Heat Oil → Preheat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy pot to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare Dough → Roll out pizza dough on a floured surface; cut into strips about 1×6 inches.
- Wrap Cheese → Place a mozzarella stick in the center of each dough strip and roll tightly, sealing edges.
- Season Flour → In a dish, combine flour, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Bread the Sticks → Dredge each dough-wrapped cheese stick in flour mixture, dip in egg, then coat with breadcrumbs.
- Fry → Fry in hot oil until golden brown, about 2–3 minutes.
- Drain & Serve → Remove with slotted spoon, drain on paper towels, and serve hot with marinara.
Notes
- Pinch dough seams tightly so cheese doesn’t leak while frying.
- Use a thermometer to keep oil steady at 350°F for best crispiness.
- Try flavored breadcrumbs (Parmesan, panko, or spicy) for variety.
🌟 Introduction
These pizza sticks are a cross between mozzarella sticks and fried calzones — crispy, cheesy perfection in every bite. They’re a guaranteed hit for kids, adults, and anyone who loves melty cheese wrapped in warm, seasoned dough.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
1. Wrap the Cheese
Cut mozzarella into sticks and roll in strips of pizza dough. Seal ends tightly to prevent cheese melt-out.
2. Bread for Crunch
- First, flour with spices.
- Then dip in egg.
- Finally, coat in breadcrumbs.
This triple coating ensures maximum crunch.
3. Fry to Golden
Fry in batches, flipping once, until deep golden brown. Drain well.
4. Dip & Enjoy
Serve with warm marinara (or ranch, buffalo sauce, or garlic butter).
🧾 Ingredient Substitutions
- Cheese → Try pepper jack, provolone, or cheddar for variety.
- Dough → Crescent roll dough or puff pastry works too.
- Breadcrumbs → Panko for extra crunch, or gluten-free crumbs for dietary needs.
🍽 Variations & Serving Ideas
- Pepperoni Pizza Sticks → Add a slice of pepperoni before rolling.
- Herb Lovers → Mix fresh parsley or basil into breadcrumbs.
- Spicy Kick → Add chili flakes or cayenne to flour mixture.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve as an appetizer at parties.
- Pack in a lunchbox with dipping sauce.
- Pair with a salad for a fun weeknight dinner.
🥡 Storage & Make-Ahead
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in airtight container up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Crisp in an air fryer or oven at 375°F for 5–6 minutes.
- Freeze (unfried): Prepare and bread, then freeze on a tray. Fry directly from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes cooking time.
⚖️ Nutrition (per stick, approx.)
- Calories: ~190 kcal
- Protein: 8 g
- Carbs: 16 g
- Fat: 11 g
❓ FAQs
Q: Can I bake these instead of frying?
A: Yes — bake at 400°F for 12–15 minutes, brushing with oil for crispness.
Q: Can I use string cheese instead of block mozzarella?
A: Absolutely! String cheese makes this recipe even quicker.
Q: How do I keep the cheese from oozing out?
A: Seal dough edges tightly and don’t overfill. Fry at correct temperature.
💬 Personal Note
These Deep Fried Pizza Sticks never last long in my kitchen — they vanish faster than I can fry them. Whether you serve them for game night or a family movie evening, they’re guaranteed to disappear in minutes.
