Fried mozzarella cakes with one broken open to show the cheese on a white plate next to a white bowl of marinara sauce with a brown towel in the background all on a dark wooden surface (with logo overlay)

Crispy Fried Mozzarella Recipe with Fresh Cheese

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Use fresh mozzarella with a delicious mixture of seasonings and breading to make your own fried mozzarella cakes at home.

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Anyone who’s ever gone out to eat with me can tell you that fried mozzarella sticks are my favorite appetizer. When I was in high school, my best friend and I would rate the local restaurants based on their mozzarella sticks. I decided to try to make something similar at home. It ended up as mozzarella cakes, but it was still just as good. 

I could seriously make a meal out of mozzarella cheese sticks or cakes. And overall, I don’t like or eat a lot of fried foods. But fry me up some mozzarella cheese and I am all over it! It’s such an easy appetizer to make and have ready for any get-together. 

When we made our Mozzarella (Not So) Flatbread, we ended up with extra fresh mozzarella cheese. Justin cut a few pieces off and would eat them with tomatoes to make a Caprese salad. But we still had a lot. 

Young boy in glasses holding a piece of mozzarella cheese covered with oil and seasonings over three white bowls with ingredients for making fried mozzarella cakes

One night we decided that we should make some fried mozzarella with the cheese. We thought about cutting it into strips to make them into sticks, but that was more work and we were feeling lazy. 

So, instead, we just cut slices off of the large block of cheese and breaded them just like that, and made fried mozzarella cakes out of them. Then, of course, we had to dip them in a delicious marinara sauce. Fried mozzarella just isn’t complete without sauce!

If you do have string cheese, though, you can use wonton wrappers to make simple homemade mozzarella sticks. 

The best way to make these is either in a cast-iron skillet with hot oil or in a deep fryer. Since I don’t own a deep fryer, I make mine on the stovetop. You can try other pan types, but I find that cast iron keeps the oil temperature more consistent. 

Why We Love These Fried Mozzarella Cakes

There’s something undeniably satisfying about biting into a crispy, golden shell that reveals that perfect cheese pull—ooey, gooey mozzarella melting right before your eyes. Fried Mozzarella Cakes are the ultimate comfort-food appetizer, easy to share, and impossible not to crave. Whether you’re hosting a party or just need a decadent snack, these are the fluffiest, crispiest, meltiest cheese bites you’ll ever make.

Fried Mozzarella Cakes

Dip It Your Way: Delicious Sauces to Try

While classic marinara is always a hit, these dipping sauces will take your Mozzarella Cakes to the next level:

  • Ranch Dressing – Creamy, kid-friendly, and balances the salty, gooey centers.
  • Sriracha Aioli – Creamy with a spicy kick, perfect for heat lovers.
  • Southwest Dipping Sauce – Smoky and zesty with just a hint of spice.
  • BBQ Twist – A tangy, sweet spin that surprisingly complements the cheesy flavor.
  • Southern Comeback Sauce – A blend of mayo, ketchup, and spices rich in flavor.
  • Garlic Aioli – For those who adore bold garlic undertones.

Pro Tips for Picture-Perfect Cheese Cakes

  • Try an Air Fryer Option: Craving less oil? Air-fry using panko or a sliced-bread coating method for a crispy but lighter version.
  • Double Bread for Maximum Crunch: Go through the egg and breadcrumb bath twice. It locks in crunch and guards against leakage.
  • Freeze Before Frying: Chill coated cakes for 15–20 minutes before frying. This helps the coating stick and prevents cheese spillage.
  • Maintain the Right Oil Temp: Use a thermometer to keep oil between 350–375°F for a golden outside and melty inside every time.

Fried Mozzarella Cakes FAQ

Can I prep ahead?

Yes. After breading, freeze them for frying later.

What cheese works best?

Low-moisture or block mozzarella gives the best texture and melt. Fresh-cut medallions are great too, and while string cheese works, block cheese is ideal.

How do I avoid soggy results?

Control your oil’s temperature, fry in small batches, and drain on paper towels before serving.

Can I bake instead?

Baking may cause the cheese to melt before the coating crisps. Frying or air-frying remains the best method for texture.

What Is Fried Mozzarella?

Fried mozzarella is a crispy, cheesy appetizer made by coating slices or pieces of mozzarella cheese in breadcrumbs and frying them until golden brown. The outside becomes perfectly crunchy while the inside turns warm and gooey. This fried mozzarella recipe is a delicious option for parties, game day snacks, or an easy appetizer for Italian-inspired dinners.

Unlike traditional mozzarella sticks, fried mozzarella cakes can be made with rounds or slices of fresh mozzarella for a more rustic presentation and extra creamy texture. They pair perfectly with marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or spicy dipping sauces.

Best Cheese for Fried Mozzarella

Choosing the right cheese makes a big difference in the final texture. Low-moisture mozzarella is one of the best options because it melts evenly while holding its shape during frying. Fresh mozzarella can also be used, but it should be patted very dry with paper towels before breading to help prevent excess moisture from causing splattering oil.

For extra flavor, you can combine mozzarella with parmesan cheese in the breadcrumb coating. This creates a savory crust with a crispy finish that tastes similar to restaurant-style fried mozzarella appetizers.

Tips for Crispy Fried Mozzarella

For the crispiest fried mozzarella recipe, chill the breaded mozzarella before frying. Placing the coated cheese in the freezer for about 20 to 30 minutes helps the breading stick better and keeps the cheese from melting too quickly in the hot oil.

Using a thermometer to maintain the oil temperature around 350 degrees F also helps create an even golden brown crust. If the oil is too cool, the mozzarella can become greasy. If the oil is too hot, the breading may brown too quickly before the cheese is heated through.

Another helpful tip is to use a double coating of flour, egg, and breadcrumbs for extra crunch. Panko breadcrumbs work especially well because they create a lighter and crispier texture.

What to Serve with Fried Mozzarella

Fried mozzarella works well as both an appetizer and side dish. It pairs perfectly with pasta dinners, pizza night, salads, or soup. Serve it alongside spaghetti, lasagna, chicken parmesan, or a Caesar salad for an easy Italian-inspired meal.

These crispy mozzarella cakes are also great for entertaining because they can be served on platters with multiple dipping sauces and finger foods. Add them to a game day menu with wings, sliders, and potato skins for a crowd-pleasing appetizer spread.

Can You Make Fried Mozzarella Ahead of Time?

Fried mozzarella can easily be prepared ahead of time for parties or busy weeknights. Assemble and bread the mozzarella cakes, then place them on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.

You can fry the mozzarella directly from frozen by adding an extra minute or two to the cooking time. This makes fried mozzarella a convenient appetizer to prepare in advance for holidays, gatherings, or family dinners.

Fried Mozzarella Step by Step

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup oil (for frying, such as vegetable oil)
  • 8 oz mozzarella cheese (fresh)
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp basil
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Preparation

In a large skillet, heat your frying oil over medium heat. The exact amount of oil you need will depend on the size of the pan that you have. You want enough oil that it will cover about half of the cakes once they are in there. The oil should heat to a temperature of 360 degrees f using a deep-fry thermometer. 

Slice the mozzarella cheese into pieces that are about 1/2 inch thick. 

Slices of fresh mozzarella cheese on a bamboo cutting board

In one small bowl, mix the olive oil and seasonings. Use three more bowls to add the flour, egg, and breadcrumbs to their own separate shallow bowls. 

Young boy's hands dipping sliced fresh mozzarella cheese into white bowls filled with oil and seasonings, flour, egg, and breadcrumbs

For each of the mozzarella slices, bread it by going down the line. Start with the oil mixture, then the flour, followed by the eggs, and finally the breadcrumbs. Continue the process with all of the cheese.

Once the cheese is ready and the oil is hot, carefully set each piece of cheese in the hot oil in a single layer and fry for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown. 

Breaded slices of fresh mozzarella frying in oil in a medium frying pan over a gas stovetop

Remove the fried cheese from the pan and place it on paper towels or a cooling rack to absorb some of the excess oil. 

Serve the fried mozzarella cakes warm with marinara sauce. 

Fried mozzarella cakes with one broken open to show the cheese on a white plate next to a white bowl of marinara sauce with a brown towel in the background all on a dark wooden surface (vertical)

Fried Mozzarella Cakes Leftovers

Storage: Leftover mozzarella cakes can be stored after coming to room temperature in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. If you have multiple layers, put a piece of parchment paper between them to keep them from sticking together. 

Reheating: For best results, reheat the mozzarella cakes in the oven or an air fryer for a few minutes. If you heat it too long, the gooey cheese will all ooze out of the cakes. 

Freezing: Arrange prepared mozzarella cakes (before cooking) on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a labeled zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready, fry straight from frozen for best results.

Recipe

Originally Published On: September 11, 2018

Last Updated On: May 23, 2026

Fried mozzarella cakes with one broken open to show the cheese on a white plate next to a white bowl of marinara sauce with a brown towel in the background all on a dark wooden surface

Fried Mozzarella

Use fresh mozzarella with a delicious mixture of seasonings and breading to make your own fried mozzarella cakes at home.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course:
Appetizer
Cuisine:
Italian
Keyword:
cheese
|
fried
|
mozzarella
Servings: 12
4.75 from 8 votes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup oil (for frying, such as vegetable oil)
  • 8 oz mozzarella cheese (fresh)
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp basil
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, heat the frying oil over medium heat
  • Slice the mozzarella cheese into pieces about 1/2 inch thick
  • In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, basil, and oregano
  • In three more small bowls, pour the flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs into one bowl each
  • Take each piece of cheese and coat it first with the oil and seasonings, then the flour, then eggs, then breadcrumbs
  • Once the oil is ready, place the breaded cheese in the oil and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side
  • Remove from the pan and place on a cooling rack or paper towels to absorb some of the oil
  • Serve warm with marinara sauce
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Nutrition Facts
Fried Mozzarella
Amount Per Serving (1 piece)
Calories 218 Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 4g20%
Cholesterol 42mg14%
Sodium 162mg7%
Potassium 39mg1%
Carbohydrates 8g3%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 6g12%
Vitamin A 179IU4%
Calcium 109mg11%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

Marinara Sauce

Photographers in Training

Lately, Tyler and Ryan have wanted to take photos of the recipes as we take them. We’ve started letting them use the camera and learn how to use it. I thought it would be fun to include some of their photos here, too.

Fried mozzarella cakes with one broken open to show the cheese on a white plate in front of a white bowl of marinara sauce with a brown towel in the background all on a dark wooden surface that you can see the edge of in the foreground
We are working with them to make sure they are only photographing what they want to see, not the edge of the table.
Fried mozzarella cakes with one broken open to show the cheese on a white plate near the edge of the frame in front of a white bowl of marinara sauce with a brown towel in the background all on a dark wooden surface
Tyler likes to move some of the food and dishes around to work on the composition of the shot.
Lizard seen on a window through the open slats of blinds looking out to a green back yard
And we were apparently distracted by a lizard on the window outside!

22 thoughts on “Crispy Fried Mozzarella Recipe with Fresh Cheese”

  2. Marjie Mare

    5 stars
    My younger daughter Yanah will love that recipe. It’s simple and I will just share with her so she can make them. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  3. Flossie McCowald

    Whoa, a four-step breading process? I was thinking more the usual 2-step one I do (ok, a variation on a 2-step process since obviously you are you and not me!) – but those extra steps must make these truly amazing! I can see the herbs in the pulled-apart-cake pic, and can just imagine how incredible they must taste!!!

    Reply
  11. Glenda

    5 stars
    Those fried mozzarella sticks look so delicious. I am sure my son and husband will love these for sure! I will definitely be trying out this recipe.

    Reply
  15. Tycie

    3 stars
    These looked so good but I was super disappointed when I made them. They fell apart and were super soggy from the oil. None of the cheese stayed in the breading. I don’t know I did something wrong or if it just can’t be done by us ordinary people, but I’ve been able to fry just about everything else successfully so no I have no idea what went wrong here.

    Reply
    1. Stephanie Lynch

      Oh man, definitely disappointing. I have a few thoughts on it since I am not one who generally does a lot of frying either. Did you make sure the oil was hot before adding the mozzarella cakes? I know the few times I’ve tried to fry something before it was ready it gave the cheese inside too much time to melt before the outside was cooked. On a similar note, don’t leave them in for too long for the same reason. My other idea would be if too much egg was left on the cheese when dipping and not enough flour and breadcrumbs to really get a good coating without that being too runny. My last question would be what type of cheese did you use? We used fresh mozzarella, but not the kind in a block, the softer kind that you can slice. I hope these ideas help and it’s more successful for you next time!

      Reply
  17. Lee Ann

    5 stars
    I air fried these at 400 degrees. I sprayed them with cooking spray, fried for 3 minutes then flipped them over and fried 2 minutes more. They were delicious!

    Reply
  18. jeanettes

    Wow, these were delicious. My whole family loves them. I now have them every day for lunch. Thanks for such an amazing post about food. We loved it… Thanks for the recipe!!!

    Reply
  19. Melissa

    I just made this and it’s delicious. Just a heads up, do not use too much oil to fry them. I did that at first and the oil never got hot enough and the cheese melted out. Once I used the correct about of oil in a smaller pan, that came out great. Ty for the recipe. Served the over pasta and sauce and my big fuzzy man was quite happy

    Reply

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