✔ Published · new copycat recipe with air fryer and make-ahead options
These copycat Burger King mozzarella sticks are crunchy and golden outside, gloriously stretchy inside, and made with plain string cheese. My trick for no cheesy blowouts? A double coat and a quick freeze!
How Do You Make Burger King-Style Mozzarella Sticks? (Quick Answer)
Cut 6 string cheese sticks in half, coat them in flour, egg and Italian breadcrumbs, then egg and crumbs again. Freeze for 1 hour, then fry at 350°F (175°C) for 60 to 90 seconds until golden. Serve hot with marinara.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Double-bread and freeze for a full hour. A thin single coat or soft, unfrozen cheese is why homemade mozzarella sticks burst in the fryer, and nobody wants a cheese puddle.
Why You'll Love These Mozzarella Sticks
- Crunchy and stretchy: a crisp, golden crust with a long cheese pull.
- Six ingredients you probably have: string cheese, flour, eggs and seasoned crumbs.
- Make-ahead friendly: bread a big batch and keep them frozen for up to 2 months.
- Fry or air fry, with times for both below.
- Kid approved, and ready for a drive-thru night at home.
What Makes These Taste Like Burger King Mozzarella Sticks?
Burger King's mozzarella sticks have come and gone from the menu depending on where you live, so this copycat is handy to have. Fast-food mozzarella sticks have a fine, evenly seasoned crumb with garlic and Italian herbs, rather than a thick beer batter. Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs plus a little panko give that same tight, crunchy shell.
The cheese inside is low-moisture mozzarella, so it stretches instead of turning watery. For more drive-thru favorites, browse our Burger King copycat recipes.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Use low-moisture string cheese. Fresh mozzarella is too wet and melts into a puddle. Individually wrapped string cheese is the perfect size and texture.
- Double-bread every stick. That second egg-and-crumb coat is armor! Press crumbs firmly onto the cut ends, because that's where leaks start.
- Freeze, don't chill. At least 1 hour in the freezer firms the cheese so the crust browns before the center melts through.
- Watch the oil temperature. Keep it at 350°F (175°C). Cooler oil soaks into the crust; hotter oil browns it before the cheese gets melty.
- Fry small batches. 4 to 6 sticks at a time keeps the oil hot. Let it come back to 350°F between batches.
- Pull them early. The moment they're deep golden, lift them out. Another 20 seconds is often when the cheese makes a run for it.
Copycat Burger King Mozzarella Sticks
4
servings20
minutes8
minutes330
kcal1
hour30
minutesBurger King-inspired mozzarella sticks: halved string cheese double-breaded in flour, egg and seasoned Italian breadcrumbs, frozen for 1 hour so the cheese holds, then fried at 350°F (175°C) for 60 to 90 seconds until golden. Serve with warm marinara. Makes 12 sticks.
Ingredients
- For the Sticks
6 low-moisture mozzarella string cheese sticks, cut in half crosswise
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon milk
3/4 cup Italian-seasoned dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
4 cups neutral oil, such as canola or peanut, for frying
- To Serve
1 cup marinara sauce, warmed
Directions
- Bread and Freeze
- Cut each string cheese stick in half crosswise to make 12 short sticks. Pat them dry.
- Set up 3 shallow dishes: flour in the first; eggs beaten with the milk in the second; Italian breadcrumbs, panko, garlic powder, oregano and salt mixed in the third.
- Roll each stick in flour, dip in egg, then press into the crumbs. Dip it back into the egg and coat it in crumbs a second time, covering the ends completely.
- Lay the sticks on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for at least 1 hour, until firm. Frozen sticks hold their shape in the hot oil instead of leaking.
- Fry and Serve
- Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy pot to 350°F (175°C), checked with a thermometer.
- Fry the frozen sticks straight from the freezer, 4 to 6 at a time, for 60 to 90 seconds, turning once, until deep golden. Pull them before any cheese breaks through.
- Drain on a rack set over paper towels and let the oil come back to 350°F (175°C) between batches.
- Rest 1 to 2 minutes, then serve hot with warm marinara for dipping.
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Fry, Air Fry or Bake: Times and Temperatures
| Method | Temperature | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep fry (frozen) | 350°F (175°C) oil | 60 to 90 sec | Crunchiest; 4 to 6 at a time |
| Air fryer (frozen) | 390°F (200°C) | 6 to 7 min | Spray with oil, flip halfway |
| Oven (frozen) | 425°F (220°C) | 8 to 10 min | On a rack, sprayed with oil |
| Reheat leftovers | 375°F (190°C) oven or air fryer | 4 to 5 min | Until hot and crisp |
Make-Ahead and Storage
- Freeze ahead: bread a double batch, freeze on a tray until solid, then bag for up to 2 months. Cook from frozen.
- Leftovers: refrigerate within 2 hours in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: 4 to 5 minutes at 375°F (190°C) in the oven or air fryer. The microwave makes the crust soggy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the freeze: soft cheese melts out before the crust sets.
- One thin coat: small gaps become blowouts. Bread twice.
- Oil too cool: below 325°F the crust absorbs oil and turns greasy.
- Crowding the pot: the oil temperature crashes and the sticks stick together.
More Burger King Copycat Recipes
Make it a full drive-thru meal with a copycat Whopper, crunchy Burger King-style onion rings and zesty dipping sauce. Kids also love these copycat chicken nuggets. For another melty, cheesy bite, try our copycat Burger King cheesy tots.
See every recipe in our Burger King copycat recipes collection, or more ideas in our best copycat recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you fry mozzarella sticks?
Fry frozen, double-breaded sticks in oil at 350°F (175°C) for 60 to 90 seconds, turning once, until deep golden. Longer than that and the cheese can break through the crust.
Why do my mozzarella sticks explode?
Usually the cheese was not frozen, the coating was too thin, or the ends were not sealed. Double-bread every stick, freeze for at least 1 hour, and fry at a steady 350°F (175°C) for no more than 90 seconds.
Can I make these mozzarella sticks in the air fryer?
Yes. Spray the frozen breaded sticks with oil and air fry at 390°F (200°C) for 6 to 7 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden. Air-fried sticks are less crunchy than fried ones but still good.
Can I bake mozzarella sticks?
Bake frozen, oil-sprayed sticks on a rack set on a baking sheet at 425°F (220°C) for 8 to 10 minutes, until golden. Watch closely after 7 minutes.
What sauce goes with Burger King-style mozzarella sticks?
Warm marinara is the classic dip. Ranch or a creamy zesty sauce also work well.
Can I freeze mozzarella sticks?
Yes. Freeze breaded, uncooked sticks on a tray, then bag them for up to 2 months. Fry or air fry straight from frozen; do not thaw.
