Mozzarella sticks are a popular appetizer or side dish consisting of string cheese coated in breading and deep fried. They are an American adaptation of Italian mozzarella cheese. The most common dipping sauce for mozzarella sticks is marinara sauce, providing a delicious blend of cheesy and tomato flavors.
Marinara Sauce
Marinara sauce is the classic dipping sauce for mozzarella sticks. It is an Italian sauce made from tomatoes, garlic, onions, and herbs. The tangy tomato flavor complements the rich, melty cheese in the mozzarella sticks perfectly. When dunking fried mozzarella into marinara sauce, the hot cheese stretches and melts into the sauce for a mouthwatering bite.
Marinara sauce can be bought ready-made in jars or cans from the grocery store. For best results, look for marinara with minimal ingredients and no added sugars. Simply heat it up and pour into a bowl or dipping cup to serve alongside hot mozzarella sticks straight from the fryer.
Making homemade marinara to dip mozzarella sticks takes a little extra effort, but is worth it for the vibrant flavor. Sauté onions and garlic, then simmer with canned crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, olive oil, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of sugar. The sauce can be tweaked to preference by adding more herbs or spices. Allow the marinara to simmer until thickened before dipping tender mozzarella sticks.
Why Marinara Sauce Works Well
There are a few key reasons why marinara sauce is pretty much universally accepted as the best dip for mozzarella sticks:
- The tomatoey, gently spiced flavor forms the perfect balance of acidity, sweetness, and umami to contrast the milky mozzarella cheese.
- The smooth, saucy texture helps the breading stick to the cheese and makes each bite more cohesive.
- The vibrant red-orange color is an appealing accent to the off-white mozzarella sticks.
- Warm marinara is the ideal temperature and viscosity for dipping just-fried hot mozzarella sticks so the cheese gets deliciously melty.
While marinara sauce is the top choice, it’s not the only good dip for mozzarella sticks. Certain other sauces can be just as tasty if you want to change things up.
Other Dipping Sauces
Pizza Sauce
For a change from marinara, try dipping mozzarella sticks in pizza sauce. The spices and flavors are similar, with pizza sauce being a little less acidic. The smooth, herby tomato sauce complements the cheese sticks well. Make your own by tweaking marinara with more oregano and a splash of olive oil, or use your favorite ready-made pizza sauce.
Ranch
Cool and creamy ranch makes a refreshing dipping sauce alternative to warm marinara. The rich, tangy flavor cuts through the fried mozzarella for a satisfying flavor contrast. Ranch pairs especially well with cheesy sticks made from buffalo mozzarella. Try mixing up blue cheese dressing for a spicier riff on ranch.
Honey Mustard
Honey mustard blends the sweet and savory beautifully when dipped by gooey mozzarella sticks. The smooth, mildly spicy mustard flavor balances the rich cheese. For best results, use a high quality honey mustard or make your own blending mustard, honey, and a splash of lemon. Honey mustard dipping sauce is a fun way to shake up mozzarella stick dipping.
Salsa
For a fresh, chunky dipping sauce, go for salsa. The acidity of tomatoes, spice of chilies, and zest of cilantro and lime makes a tasty pairing with hot fried cheese. Try a traditional tomato salsa, or switch it up with peach, mango, or pineapple salsa. The varieties of salsas available means endless options for livening up a plate of mozzarella sticks.
Guacamole
Creamy, cooling guacamole makes for an unconventional but delicious mozzarella stick pairing. The rich avocado base harmonizes with melty mozzarella wonderfully. Spice it up with jalapeños or keep it mild for a kid-friendly dip. The colors look beautiful together too, with vibrant green guacamole next to golden fried cheese.
Queso Dip
For an extra cheesy dip, try queso! The smooth, cheesy sauce is made for dipping, pairing oh-so-well with mozzarella sticks. Use a store-bought queso or make your own cheese dip blending melted cheeses like cheddar, Monterey jack, and American with milk and spices. Serve the queso warm in a dipping bowl alongside hot cheese sticks.
Marshmallow Fluff
For an unorthodox but delicious drizzle over cheese sticks, try marshmallow fluff. The sweet, pillowy soft fluff complements the salty, crispy mozzarella sticks for a flavor combo similar to caramel or chocolate dip. Feeling indulgent? Try dipping those cheese sticks right into hot fudge sauce too! The interplay of hot and cold, crispy and creamy, salty and sweet is simply amazing.
Choosing Dipping Sauces by Cheese Type
The choice of dip can also vary depending on the type of mozzarella used in the sticks.
| Cheese | Best Pairing Sauces |
|---|---|
| Fresh Mozzarella | Marinara, ranch |
| Low-moisture mozzarella | Marinara, pizza sauce, honey mustard |
| Provolone | Marinara, queso |
| Pepper jack | Ranch, salsa, guacamole |
| Swiss | Honey mustard, ranch |
| Cheddar | Ranch, queso, salsa |
| American | Chili sauce, honey mustard, ranch |
Fresh mozzarella and low-moisture mozzarella are classic choices that pair wonderfully with marinara or pizza sauce. Provolone, cheddar and American all melt beautifully in mozzarella sticks too. To complement the sharpness of these cheeses, try out dips like ranch, queso, honey mustard or salsa. For spicy cheese sticks made with pepper jack or jalapeño, cool down the heat with guacamole or ranch dipping options.
Creating the Perfect Dipping Experience
To optimize the mozzarella stick dipping experience, follow these tips:
Temperature
Dip with hot sauce! Warm up your marinara, queso, or whatever dipping sauce in the microwave or pot just before serving. Warm sauce helps melt the mozzarella for maximum stretchy cheese pulls.
Pairing
Choose a sauce that complements or contrasts the cheese flavor. For mild fresh mozzarella, opt for a bold sauce like marinara. Sharper cheddar or pepper jack sticks pair better with a cool, creamy dip like ranch or guacamole.
Consistency
Look for sauces with a viscosity that will stick to the mozzarella for a delicious mouthful. Tomato or cream-based dips work best. Watery salsa or thin vinaigrettes will just drip right off.
Frying
Fry the mozzarella sticks just until the cheese begins to ooze for prime dipping. Undercooking leaves the center hard and not melty enough. Overcooking causes the cheese to separate from the breading which leads to a mess.
Breading
Use a light, Crisp breading that won’t get too soggy or slide off in the sauce. Seasoned panko, crushed Ritz crackers, or tempura batter are all good options.
Dipping Vessel
Shallow bowls, ramekins, or dip cups work best for dunking with ease. Provide enough dipping vessels so guests don’t double-dip and contaminate the sauce.
Garnishes
Top dips with a sprinkle of parsley, a drizzle of olive oil, or a dusting of parmesan. Mix in roasted garlic or peppers to marinara. Garnish the mozzarella plate with sliced tomatoes or basil.
Accompaniments
Serve mozzarella sticks with dipping sauce and complementary sides like garlic knots, french fries, or caesar salad. Provide enough napkins for the inevitable drips and spills!
Conclusion
At the end of the day, while marinara sauce is the classic dip for mozzarella sticks, the beauty is you can experiment with any sauce that sounds good. The hot, crispy, cheesy sticks pair well with so many dips from savory marinara to sweet honey or fluff. Switch up the dipping sauce to give this appetizer variety. And be sure to follow these dipping tips for mozzarella stick perfection every time!