Pepperoni Pizza-Inspired Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Cook Time:
8 minutes
Servings:
4 Servings
Ingredients
  • ½ cup finely chopped pepperoni
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, for dusting
  • 1 (13-ounce) tube refrigerated pizza dough
  • 1 ½ cups pizza sauce
  • 8 mozzarella string cheese sticks
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Neutral oil, for frying
Directions
  1. In a small bowl, mix the chopped pepperoni with olive oil, oregano, garlic powder, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
  2. Dust the flour over a large work surface and roll the pizza dough out onto the surface.
  3. Cut the pizza dough rectangle in half horizontally, then cut out 8 strips that are roughly 3 inches wide and 4 ½ inches long.
  4. Spread pizza sauce onto each dough piece.
  5. Sprinkle some of the diced pepperoni onto each dough piece.
  6. Place one string cheese stick on each dough strip and roll up the dough, pinching the seam to close.
  7. Brush each wrapped stick lightly with the beaten egg.
  8. Heat about 2 inches of neutral oil in a deep skillet over medium heat until it reaches 350 F.
  9. Fry the sticks in batches for 2 to 3 minutes, turning as needed, until golden brown and crispy.
  10. Drain the mozzarella sticks on a paper towel-lined plate.
  11. Serve the mozzarella sticks right away, optionally with warm marinara sauce for dipping.