Mozzarella Sticks Platter: Prices, Sizes, Pairings
A mozzarella sticks platter is a shareable appetizer of golden, deep fried or air-fried breaded mozzarella cheese sticks, typically served with marinara sauce for dipping. Platters range from single-serving restaurant orders (around $12–$24) to large catering trays that feed 10–20 people (roughly $25–$110), and can be ordered pre-made from restaurants and caterers or made at home using frozen bulk packs.
Whether you’re hosting a party, catering an event, or just want a quick appetizer with dinner, there’s a format to match, from a $23.99 single platter with marinara to a 40-piece catering tray for a crowd.
Restaurant & Catering Trays
For parties and events where you don’t want any kitchen prep, restaurants and local caterers offer ready-made trays in a range of sizes:
| Source | Price | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant single platter | $23.99 | Individual order, served with marinara, ~2,200 calories |
| Khayat Catering | $25.00 | Tray |
| Michael’s Event Catering | $40.00 | Tray |
| Glenside Pizza | $69.95 | Catering tray |
| Tasty Options | $69.00 | Full tray + 16oz marinara |
| Loaded Cafe | $105.90 | 40-piece tray |
Prices vary by portion count, region, and whether marinara is included. Always confirm sauce quantity and piece count before ordering for a group.
Frozen & DIY Party Packs
If you’d rather stock your freezer and skip the delivery fee, bulk frozen mozzarella sticks are an easy option. Bake or air-fry them straight from frozen, then arrange them on your own board with marinara and extras like ranch or pepperoncini for a custom snack spread. This route is typically the cheapest per-serving option and works well for casual get-togethers or game-day snacking.
Platter Sizing Guide
- Small (personal/appetizer): 6–8 pieces — good for 1–2 people as a starter
- Medium (party): 20–30 pieces — good for 6–10 guests
- Large (catering): 40+ pieces — good for 15–20+ guests
Rule of thumb: plan for 3–4 sticks per person if served alongside other appetizers, or 6–8 per person if mozzarella sticks are the main snack.
What Goes With Mozzarella Sticks?
Dips and sauces: Marinara is the classic pairing, but ranch, honey mustard, garlic aioli, or a spicy arrabbiata sauce all work well too.
As part of a meal: Mozzarella sticks pair naturally with pasta dishes, a simple salad, or grilled proteins if you’re serving them as part of dinner rather than a standalone snack.
With pizza night: Mozzarella sticks are one of the most popular appetizers to serve alongside pizza — the cheese-on-cheese combo is a crowd favorite, and they cook in about the same time as a pizza.
How to Make Mozzarella Sticks
Classic fried method: Cut mozzarella into sticks, freeze briefly to firm up, then bread with a flour–egg–breadcrumb coating (double-coat for a thicker crust) and deep fry until golden, about 1–2 minutes per batch.
Air fryer method: Follow the same breading process, then air fry at 390–400°F for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and the cheese is melted but not leaking.
Using string cheese (shortcut method): String cheese works as a quick substitute for cut mozzarella blocks — it’s pre-portioned, so you can go straight to breading without cutting. Freeze the breaded sticks for at least 30–60 minutes before cooking to prevent cheese leakage.
From fresh mozzarella (from-scratch method): Fresh mozzarella has higher moisture content, so pat it dry and freeze it longer (1–2 hours) before breading, and consider a double-bread coating to seal in the cheese during frying.
Nutrition
A single mozzarella stick typically runs 80–100 calories, meaning a full platter (like the 2,200-calorie restaurant version) reflects a larger serving of roughly 20+ pieces plus marinara. Calorie counts vary by breading thickness and cooking method air-fried sticks generally run lower in fat than deep-fried.
For full nutritional breakdowns by menu item, see our Nutrition Guide and Ingredients & Allergens page.
FAQs
How do you make mozzarella sticks?
Cut mozzarella into sticks, freeze briefly, bread with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, then deep fry or air fry until golden and the cheese is melted.
How to make mozzarella sticks with string cheese?
Use string cheese in place of cut mozzarella bread it the same way, then freeze the breaded sticks for 30–60 minutes before cooking to keep the cheese from leaking out.
How to make mozzarella cheese sticks from scratch?
Start with fresh mozzarella, pat it dry to remove excess moisture, cut into sticks, freeze for 1–2 hours, then double-bread before frying or air frying.
How many calories are in mozzarella sticks?
A single mozzarella stick is typically 80–100 calories; a full platter can range from a few hundred calories to 2,000+ depending on portion size.
What do you serve mozzarella sticks with?
Marinara sauce is the classic pairing, along with ranch, honey mustard, or garlic aioli. They also pair well with pasta, salads, or as a side to pizza.
What sauce goes with mozzarella sticks?
Marinara is most common, but ranch, honey mustard, garlic aioli, and spicy arrabbiata are all popular alternatives.
What goes with mozzarella sticks for dinner?
Pasta dishes, grilled chicken or seafood, and a simple side salad all balance out mozzarella sticks as part of a fuller meal.
What appetizer goes with pizza?
Mozzarella sticks are a top choice; they share similar cook times and flavors, making them an easy pairing for pizza night.
How many pieces of mozzarella sticks come in an order?
This varies by source: individual restaurant orders often include 6–8 pieces, while catering trays can include 20–40+ pieces.
Where can I get mozzarella sticks?
They’re available at most casual dining restaurants, from local caterers for parties, or in the freezer aisle of grocery stores for home cooking.
Are mozzarella sticks Italian?
Not traditionally; while mozzarella cheese originates in Italy, breaded and deep-fried mozzarella sticks as a dish are an American bar-food invention, popularized in the U.S. in the 1970s–80s.
Why are mozzarella sticks so expensive?
Pricing reflects the cost of cheese, breading, oil, and labor for fresh preparation — catering-size trays also factor in delivery, packaging, and bulk prep time, which raises the per-tray cost even though the per-piece cost often drops.
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