These golden baked mozzarella sticks deliver that irresistible cheese pull without deep frying. I made them on a busy weeknight using simple dough and string cheese, and the garlic-herb butter made the kitchen smell amazing. They come out crispy outside and perfectly melted inside every time. Once you try this oven method, you may never go back to the frozen kind.
These baked mozzarella sticks are fast, crowd-pleasing, and require almost no special skills.
Crispy exterior with stretchy melted cheese inside
Ready in under thirty minutes start to finish
Uses everyday ingredients already in most kitchens
Kid-friendly and perfect for parties or snacks
Ingredients
You only need a handful of basic items to create these golden, garlic-scented mozzarella sticks at home.
1 can refrigerated pizza dough or crescent dough sheet
8 mozzarella string cheese sticks
3 tbsp butter, melted
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
Pinch of salt
If you do not have string cheese, cut a block of low-moisture mozzarella into sticks of similar size. Crescent dough sheets work best because they seal easily, but regular pizza dough also performs well when rolled thin. Fresh garlic gives the best flavor, though garlic powder can stand in during a pinch.
Follow these simple steps to assemble and bake the mozzarella sticks for the best cheese pull.
Step 1: Preheat and prepare
Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This temperature creates a golden crust while melting the cheese fully without leaking.
Step 2: Unroll the dough
Open the dough and unroll it onto a lightly floured surface or cutting board. Gently stretch or roll it into an even rectangle about one-quarter inch thick for easy wrapping.
Step 3: Cut dough strips
Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to slice the dough into eight equal rectangles. Each piece should be wide enough to fully enclose one cheese stick without gaps.
Step 4: Wrap the cheese
Place one mozzarella stick near the edge of each dough rectangle and roll it up tightly. Pinch the seams and ends firmly so the cheese stays sealed during baking.
Step 5: Arrange on sheet
Transfer the wrapped sticks seam-side down onto the prepared baking sheet. Space them about one inch apart so heat circulates and they brown evenly on all sides.
Step 6: Make garlic butter
Stir the melted butter together with minced garlic, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt. This mixture adds flavor and helps the exterior crisp beautifully.
Step 7: Brush generously
Brush the tops and sides of each stick thoroughly with the garlic-herb butter. Any leftover butter can be brushed on again halfway through baking for extra richness.
Step 8: Bake until golden
Baked Mozzarella Sticks
Golden baked mozzarella sticks wrapped in dough and brushed with garlic-herb butter. Crispy outside, stretchy melted cheese inside—ready in under 30 minutes with no frying.
1| can | refrigerated pizza dough or crescent dough sheet |
8| | mozzarella string cheese sticks |
3| tbsp | butter | melted
2| cloves | garlic | minced
1| tbsp | fresh parsley | chopped
1/2| tsp | Italian seasoning |
1| pinch | salt |
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Unroll dough and stretch into an even rectangle.
Cut dough into 8 equal rectangles.
Place one cheese stick on each rectangle and roll tightly; pinch seams and ends closed.
Arrange sticks seam-side down on the baking sheet.
Mix melted butter, garlic, parsley, Italian seasoning, and salt.
Brush sticks generously with the garlic butter.
Bake 12–15 minutes until golden. Rest 2 minutes before serving.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes to restore crispness. Seal seams tightly to prevent cheese leakage. Freeze unbaked sticks for up to 1 month; bake from frozen.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the dough is deep golden and the cheese is soft. Let them rest two minutes before serving so the molten cheese sets slightly.
Tips & common mistakes
A few small details make the difference between perfect sticks and cheese leaks.
Seal every seam tightly to prevent cheese from escaping
Do not overbake or the cheese may burst through the dough
Use low-moisture mozzarella for the cleanest melt
Serve immediately while the cheese is still stretchy
Recipe variations
These mozzarella sticks adapt easily to different tastes and dietary needs with simple swaps.
Add red pepper flakes to the butter for a spicy kick
Swap mozzarella for pepper jack for extra flavor
Use gluten-free pizza dough for a wheat-free version
Air-fry at 375°F for eight minutes for extra crispiness
What to serve with this recipe
Pair these hot mozzarella sticks with simple sides and dips for a complete snack or meal.
Here are answers to the questions people ask most about making baked mozzarella sticks at home.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can assemble the sticks up to four hours ahead and refrigerate them covered. Bake them straight from the fridge, adding one or two extra minutes if needed.
Why did my cheese leak out?
Leaking usually happens when the dough seams are not sealed tightly enough. Pinch every edge firmly and place the sticks seam-side down on the sheet.
Can I freeze unbaked sticks?
Yes, freeze the assembled sticks on a tray, then transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen at 400°F for about 18 minutes until golden.
What dough works best?
Refrigerated crescent dough sheets or pizza dough both work well. Avoid biscuit dough, which can become too thick and doughy around the cheese.
Final thoughts
These baked mozzarella sticks deliver restaurant-style cheese pull with almost no effort and zero frying mess. The garlic butter coating makes them fragrant and golden every single time. Make a batch for movie night, game day, or a quick after-school snack and watch them disappear. Leave a comment below with your favorite dipping sauce or any twists you tried—I love hearing how they turn out in your kitchen.
