Baked or fried, these keto mozzarella sticks will satisfy your craving for a crunchy, cheesy snack. There are only six ingredients in this easy keto cheese sticks recipe and they're ready for snacking in under 30 minutes.
If you're looking for another appetizer idea that includes loads of melty cheese, try these keto cheese chips or our keto pizza recipe.
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Why you'll love this recipe
These keto mozzarella sticks with pork rinds are so crispy, crunchy and delicious. Plus they're gluten free and nut free.
You can choose to either bake or fry them on the stovetop or air fryer for a delightfully authentic experience. Either way, they are SO good!
Serve these keto cheese sticks with our Keto Pizza Sauce for an impressive game day or any day snack that everyone will enjoy.
Key ingredients
Mozzarella String Cheese - You'll need 8 of them, cut in half.
Crushed Pork Rinds - These are used often in keto recipes in place of breadcrumbs. They create the perfect crisp and are super low carb. We love them on our crispy keto fried chicken.
Parmesan Cheese - Parmesan adds depth and flavor to the breading, plus it browns up nicely.
Italian Seasoning - Typically a blend of Italian herbs, the flavor here will remind you of your favorite Italian restaurant.
Garlic Powder - Garlic makes everything taste better.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and we will get back to you.
For another cheesy keto appetizer, make our easy keto queso.
How to make keto mozzarella sticks
Step 1: Place egg in a shallow bowl and beat well. In another shallow bowl, mix pork rinds, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Whisk to combine.
Step 2: Dip in each piece of mozzarella in the egg.
Step 3: Then dip each piece in the pork rind mixture.
Step 4: Place on prepared baking sheet and freeze as directed for at least 1 hour until ready to fry or bake.
Step 5: Stovetop - Heat ¼ cup of oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Fry frozen mozzarella sticks for a few minutes on each side until golden brown.
Step 6: Remove from skillet to a paper towel lined plate. Then serve with keto marinara sauce while still nice and hot.
Baked: Bake at 400 degree F. for 10-12 minutes, flipping once halfway through, or until golden brown.
Air Fried: Place the frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket and cook at 390F/198C for 7 minutes.
For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the recipe below.
If you love cheese, you'll want to make our instant pot crack chicken next. It's full of cheddar and cream cheese. We sometimes use it as a dip and serve with keto tortilla chips.
Expert tips
Make sure your coating is fairly thick on each piece of cheese. This will keep the cheese from oozing out. Don't forget to coat the ends of the cheese too.
Coat just one piece of cheese at a time, and avoid handling them more than you need to. Dip into the egg, then the crumbs, then onto the tray. The less you fuss with them the better.
When frying on the stovetop or in the air fryer, never overcrowd the pan or basket.
FAQs
The most important part of this recipe is the step that tells you to freeze them for at least an hour before cooking.
If you were to skip the freezing step, the cheese would melt before the breading cooks, leaving you with puddles of cheese instead of crispy finger food.
If you'd like to make these ahead of time, you can do the initial 1 hour freeze, and then transfer the keto mozzarella sticks to an air-tight bag or container. Freeze for up to three months and then cook from frozen.
If you're frying your keto cheese sticks and the cheese is oozing out or exploding, there are a couple of things to check.
Fist, are you starting with frozen cheese sticks? This is super important. Second, your oil temperature may be too hot. Adjust the heat a bit lower for the next batch.
No, most mozzarella sticks are made with flour, so they are high carb. This recipe lets you enjoy crispy fried cheese sticks without flour, and only 1 gram of net carbs per piece.
Storage instructions
Store leftover cheese sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the air fryer, oven, or stovetop until warmed through and crispy again.
Freeze cooked mozzarella sticks in a zip top bag for up to three months. Reheat from frozen in a 350°F oven until hot.
Other yummy keto game day snacks
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📖 Recipe
Keto Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients
- 8 sticks mozzarella string cheese cut in half
- 1 egg beaten
- ½ cup crushed pork rinds
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- If frying: high temperature oil
- Low carb marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
- Place egg in a shallow bowl and beat well. In another shallow bowl, mix pork rinds, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder; whisk to combine.
- Dip each piece of mozzarella in the egg, then roll in the pork rind mixture. Place on prepared baking sheet and freeze, uncovered, for at least one hour or until ready to fry or bake.
- Oven: Bake at 400 degree F. for 10-12 minutes, flipping once halfway through, or until golden brown.
- Stovetop: Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, fry keto mozzarella sticks in a single layer, 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown and softened.
- Air Fryer: Place the frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket and cook at 390F/198C for 7 minutes.
- Serve with marinara sauce.
Notes
- Freezing these mozzarella sticks before cooking is very important. Give them at least 1 hour in the freezer before cooking.
- Frying makes for crunchier cheese sticks, but baking gives better flavor and easier clean up.
- Make sure your coating is fairly thick on each piece of cheese. This will keep the cheese from oozing out. Don't forget to coat the ends of the cheese too.
- Coat just one piece of cheese at a time, and avoid handling them more than you need to. Dip into the egg, then the crumbs, then onto the tray. The less you fuss with them the better.
- When frying on the stovetop or in the air fryer, never overcrowd the pan or basket.
Victoria Ann Perrelet
Have you ever wrapped these in bacon? If so do you suggest baking the sticks then wrapping in bacon and baking again?
Dane & Becky
Hi Victoria,
We haven't wrapped these in bacon but we do wrap our jalapeno poppers in bacon. Since the mozzarella sticks need to be cooked right after being removed from the freezer, I would bake them, then wrap in prepared bacon and broil for a few minutes. It's always best to precook your bacon before wrapping for that perfect crunch.
Dane
Lisa
I fried these on the stovetop earlier today. They were a hit, even with my picky kids!
Brenda
What temperature do I bake these at? It doesn’t say.
Four Score Living
Thanks for the catch. I'm not sure what happened. The instructions are fixed.