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(Last Updated On: January 26, 2023)Easy Vegan Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
These homemade vegan mozzarella sticks are incredibly delicious–cheesy, crispy, and fried to a golden brown!
It’s hard to come by any dairy-free and egg-free mozzarella sticks in the stores, so I wanted to share a super easy recipe to make at home.
These plant-based mozzarella sticks are made with simple pantry ingredients like flour, breadcrumbs, and spices. If you have access to dairy-free milk and dairy-free cheese (block or slices), then you’re ready to go!
To make things even easier, I also have options for baking or air-frying these mozzarella sticks if you’re not ready for frying.
That being said, I really do think that frying is superior in this recipe–you just can’t beat that golden brown texture and flavor in my opinion!
Dairy-Free & Homemade Fried Cheese Sticks
Mozzarella sticks are one of my favorite indulgences–and this recipe definitely satisfies the craving!
The combination of the warm and cheesy center with a crisp and golden brown coating is so tasty–especially when served alongside some marinara sauce.
Pair these with my Fried Vegan Shrimp, Homemade Seitan Chicken Buffalo Wings, Vegan Soft Pretzels, Vegan Garlic Knots, or Vegan BBQ Cauliflower Wings for antime you need a good spread (game nights, movie nights, parties).
INGREDIENTS
- Vegan Cheese – You can use a block of vegan mozzarella if you can find it, but slices are also fine. I used Chao original slices and it was delicious!
- All-Purpose Flour – This helps to make the coating thick and crispy!
- Soy Milk – Use your favorite unsweetened, unflavored dairy-free milk for this recipe.
- Breadcrumbs – Just plain small breadcrumbs are best.
- Italian Seasoning – This helps add a ton of flavor to the fried cheese sticks!
- Garlic & Onion Powder – These are optional but recommended.
- Salt – To bring out all the cheesy flavor!
- Marinara Sauce – You can also serve with salsa or your favorite dipping sauce.
How to Make Vegan Mozzarella Sticks
Coating the Cheese Sticks
To make your vegan mozzarella sticks, mix together two tablespoons of all-purpose flour with the milk until thoroughly mixed, and set aside. Then mix together the breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt, and set aside.
Cut cheese into roughly 1/2 inch by 3 inch rectangles (1/2 inch thick). This does not need to be perfect.
Squish together a bit with your fingers (if using slices) to help them stay together.
Dip into flour to evenly coat (shake off excess), then dip into the flour/milk mixture briefly, then finally add to the breadcrumb mixture and pack mixture onto the cheese stick (pack it into each corner). Freeze coated cheese sticks for 1 hour (try to make sure they’re not touching).
Frying the Cheese Sticks
Add two inches of oil to a pan and heat oil until hot (you can add a tiny bit of breadcrumbs to test, if they sizzle it’s ready). Add 2-3 cheese sticks at a time by gently laying them in with a slotted spatula.
Fry until golden brown on both sides, this will take anywhere from 30-90 seconds. Carefully remove and let excess oil drip, then place onto a plate covered with a couple towels. Cool and serve with marinara sauce, salsa, or your favorite dipping sauce! I also added some dried parsley on top, but mainly for the looks!
NOTES
-If you’re having trouble at all with the cheese slices staying together, you can freeze the rectangles for about 20 minutes (before coating) and then try squishing them together again.
-Be very careful around the hot oil not to burn yourself, gently lay the cheese sticks into the oil.
TO BAKE: Freeze as normal, then bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
TO AIR FRY: Freeze as normal, then air-fry at 350 for 7-10 minutes, or until golden brown
STORING: These cheese sticks are best served fresh (when cool enough to touch–be careful, the inside may still be hot), they don’t reheat as crunchy as delicious as they will be when served fresh!
This recipe is:
- Easy
- Cheesy
- Crispy
- Golden Brown
- Vegan
- Dairy-Free
- Egg-Free
- Vegetarian
- Homemade
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Easy Vegan Mozzarella Sticks
These easy homemade vegan mozzarella sticks are cheesy, crispy, and so easy to make! The best dairy-free and eggless fried cheese sticks.
Ingredients
- 1 Block (7oz.) Vegan Cheese*
- 1/3 Cup All-Purpose Flour + 2 Tbsp
- 1/2 Cup Soy Milk
- 1/2 Cup Breadcrumbs
- 2 Tsp Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
- Marinara Sauce for Serving
Instructions
- Mix together 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour with the milk until thoroughly mixed, set aside. Mix together breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt, and set aside.
- Cut cheese into roughly 1/2 inch by 3 inch rectangles (1/2 inch thick). This does not need to be perfect.
- Squish together a bit with your fingers (if using slices) to help them stay together.**
- Dip into flour to evenly coat (shake off excess), then dip into the flour/milk mixture briefly, then finally add to the breadcrumb mixture and pack mixture onto the cheese stick (pack it into each corner).
- Freeze coated cheese sticks for 1 hour.
- Add two inches of oil to a pan and heat oil until hot (you can add a tiny bit of breadcrumbs to test, if they sizzle it's ready).*** Add 2-3 cheese sticks at a time by gently laying them in with a slotted spatula.
- Fry until golden brown on both sides, this will take anywhere from 30-90 seconds. Carefully remove and let excess oil drip, then place onto a plate covered with a couple towels.
- Cool and serve with marinara sauce!
Notes
*I used Chao original vegan cheese slices.
**If you're having trouble at all with the cheese slices staying together, you can freeze the rectangles for about 20 minutes (before coating) and then try squishing them together again.
***Be very careful around the hot oil not to burn yourself, gently lay the cheese sticks into the oil.
*TO BAKE:
-Freeze as normal, then bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
*TO AIR FRY:
-Freeze as normal, then air-fry at 350 for 7-10 minutes, or until golden brown
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 96Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 493mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 4g
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