Enjoy an old school ooey, gooey treat again with easy, homemade Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks recipe. Gluten free cheese sticks have no breadcrumbs and are made with an almond flour parmesan breading so not only are they addictively tasty, but low carb and keto-friendly!
Gluten free mozzarella sticks without breadcrumbs
These homemade recipe for gluten-free mozzarella sticks proves that enjoying gluten-free recipes doesn’t mean a sub-par replacement. Gluten-free cheese sticks recipe tastes better than anything I remember enjoying “before!”
They are made with a mixture of almond flour and parmesan, so they are also low-carb and keto-friendly, just like tasty gluten-free stuffed mushrooms! These type of gluten-free appetizers are especially ideal to serve when you have mixed diet guests. All are guaranteed to enjoy equally!
Gluten-free cheese sticks are also make-ahead and freezer friendly. You can prepare a batch to have on hand for game day, movie nights, or as a late-night snack! With a crunchy crispy shell and melting puddles of cheese inside, they are the ultimate treat, especially to enjoy with a frosty mug of gluten-free beer!
Learn how to make gluten-free mozzarella sticks, expert tips for cooking them to perfection, and easy ingredient swaps to make this recipe work flawlessly for you!
Ingredients Notes and substitutions
- Cheese sticks – I used string cheese, but mozzarella cut from a block may also be used. Another idea would be to use cheddar cubes for gluten-free cheese curds.
- Almond flour – Adds a great complimentary flavor while keeping the recipe low carb! If you love almond flour recipes, check out this valuable, free resource! If you don’t have almond flour on hand, see alternative breading options below.
- Parmesan cheese – Use either freshly grated (but not shredded) or store-bought
- Seasonings – Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Alternatively add a dash of onion powder for a boost of seasoning. Salt is not required for the breading because the cheese adds saltiness.
- Eggs – Used to adhere the breading onto the mozzarella sticks
How to make Gluten-free mozzarella sticks
(Note: This is a step-by-step tutorial with pictures. For more specific instructions, along with ingredient amounts, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
- First cut the cheese sticks in half. In one shallow bowl mix together the almond flour, parmesan cheese, and seasonings. In another bowl whisk the egg mixture. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll the cheese in the breading mixture, coat in the egg, and then dip again in the almond flour / parmesan. This method ensures the breading stays on while frying.
- Place the cheese sticks on the prepared baking sheet and freeze until solid at least 1 hour, or until ready to fry. Freezing first makes sure the cheese and breading cook at equal rate. Otherwise the cheese will seep out before the breading is golden brown.
- Use a large deep skillet filled with at least 1 1/2 inches oil so the mozzarella sticks don’t stick to the bottom of the pan as they cook. Heat the oil to 350ºF to properly cook the exterior crispy while the cheese melts and stays inside.
- Cook about 6 cheese sticks at a time, flipping to brown all sides evenly. Line another baking sheet with paper towels to transfer the cooked mozzarella sticks to. This soaks up excess oil before serving. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce. I love marinara or ranch dressing.
Alternative breadings
If you don’t have almond flour on hand, or have a nut allergy, gluten-free breadcrumbs or gluten-free panko breadcrumbs may be substituted in the same amount.
First dip in gluten-free flour (or rice flour), then egg mixture. To the third bowl add the spice seasoning to the GF bread crumbs, and coat the cheese sticks with the mixture. Freeze and cook as directed.
Why freeze before frying?
After the mozzarella sticks have been breaded, they need to be frozen solid so the hot oil can cook the outside before the cheese melts through the breading. If you skip the step of freezing, the cheese will ooze out as they cook in the hot oil.
Air fryer method
I have not tried personally this, but I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t work this gluten-free recipe! Other air fryer mozzarella sticks recipes instruct for cooking no more than 6 in an air fryer basket at a time. Cook in a 370ºF air fryer for 5 minutes.
Can I bake these?
Yes and no. Technically they may be baked in a 400ºF for 10-15 minutes, but the breading doesn’t get crispy and they aren’t like those old school mozzarella sticks you’ve been craving! However, to help achieve a crispier breading, spray the sticks with cooking spray before baking.
Storing and reheating tips
As you are frying, mozzarella sticks may be kept warm on a baking sheet in a 175ºF oven until ready to serve.
Leftovers may be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 2 days. Reheat in a 400ºF oven for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Prepared, uncooked, cheese sticks may be frozen up to 3 months before frying.
troubleshooting why cheese oozed from breading
A common problem when cooking mozzarella sticks is the cheese melting out from the breading. Here are some common reasons why and how you can fix this problem!
- They were cooked too long.
- The cheese wasn’t frozen solid before cooking.
- The temperature of the oil is too hot. Use an instant read thermometer throughout cooking to make sure it reaches and maintains at 350ºF. Adjust the heat accordingly to maintain the proper cooking temp.
best tips and tricks to remember!
- Going from breading, egg, to breading again insures the mozzarella stick is covered and the cheese won’t ooze out during frying.
- For an extra crispy shell, dip in egg, breading, egg, then breading again. You will have to add an extra egg and about a recipe plus half of breading mixture, but it’s pretty amazing!
- The cheese needs to be frozen so the oil can cook the outside before the cheese melts through the breading.
- The most important measure of success will be your oil temperature! Too hot and you will have a melted mess, too cold and the exterior will be very greasy and soft. Use a thermometer (my personal fave) to make sure it holds around 350ºF.
- Use a large deep skillet filled with at least 1 1/2 inches oil so they mozzarella sticks don’t stick to the bottom as they cook.
- Don’t cook too many cheese sticks at one time. The frozen cheese will bring down the oil temperature and they won’t properly cook. I did six at time, maximum.
Click here to see the
step-by-step web story instructions for this recipe!
More gluten-free snacks
Save this recipe for gluten-free mozzarella sticks to your PINTEREST board!
Let’s be friends on Pinterest! I’m always sharing great recipes!
Crispy Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks (No Breadcrumbs)
Ingredients
- 12 mozzarella sticks, (string cheese)
- ¾ cup almond flour
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 large egg + 1 egg white
- vegetable oil, for frying
- (optional) marinara, for dipping
Instructions
- Cut the cheese sticks in half so you have 24 total. In a large shallow bowl, mix together the almond flour, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll the cheese in the breading mixture, transfer to coat in the egg, and then dip again in the breading. Place breaded cheese sticks on the lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining cheese.
- Once all the cheese has been breaded, freeze until solid, at least 1 hour.
- Fill a large deep skillet with at least 1 ½ – 2 inches oil so the mozzarella sticks don't stick to the bottom as they cook. Heat the oil to 350ºF to properly cook the exterior crispy while the cheese melts and stays inside.
- Once the oil reaches the proper temperature, cook no more than 6 cheese sticks at a time for about 2 minutes, flipping to brown all sides evenly. Use a thermometer to check the oil temperature regularly to make sure it stays around 350ºF.
- Repeat with remaining frozen mozzarella sticks. Cooked cheese sticks may be held in a 175ºF while the others finish frying. Serve immediately with marinara sauce.
- DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?? DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AND/OR CLICK A STAR RATING ON THE RECIPE CARD!
Equipment Needed
Recipe Notes
Tips to Remember
- Going from breading, egg, to breading again insures the mozzarella stick is covered and the cheese won’t ooze out during frying.
- For an extra crispy shell, dip in egg, breading, egg, then breading again. You will have to add an extra egg and about a recipe plus half of breading mixture, but it’s pretty amazing!
- The cheese needs to be frozen so the oil can cook the outside before the cheese melts through the breading.
- The most important measure of success will be your oil temperature! Too hot and you will have a melted mess, too cold and the exterior will be very greasy and soft. Use a thermometer to make sure it holds around 350ºF.
- Use a large deep skillet filled with at least 1 1/2 inches oil so they mozzarella sticks don’t stick to the bottom as they cook.
- Don’t cook too many cheese sticks at one time. The frozen cheese will bring down the oil temperature and they won’t properly cook. I did six at time, maximum.
Reheating and Storing
As you are frying, mozzarella sticks may be kept warm on a baking sheet in a 175ºF oven. Leftovers may be refrigerated and reheated in a 400ºF oven for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Prepared, uncooked, cheese sticks may be frozen up to 3 months before frying.Nutrition
This post contains affiliate links. My opinions are always my own. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, I make a small commission – at no cost to you. Read full disclosure policy here.
Leave a Reply