Learn how to make this easy and tasty treat in a matter of minutes: These mouthwatering Vegan Mozzarella Sticks will have you feeling satisfied with their delightfully crispy coating and soft middle. Enjoy!
We love to dip these vegan cheese sticks in a tangy marinara sauce, but our creamy barbecue-flavored dipping sauce is another great option.
They are one of our favorite vegan appetizers to snack on and indulge in, so we are excited for you to enjoy this healthy yet flavorful vegan mozzarella stick alternative!
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This post is supported by Pomí and Reese Specialty Foods. A big shoutout to the supporting brands, who make The Simple Sprinkle possible!
📋 Ingredients
To make vegan mozzarella sticks at home you need the following ingredients:
- Reese’s select Hearts of Palm: They are the main ingredient used to mimic the texture of dairy-based mozzarella cheese. Reese's canned Hearts of Palm have a stringy and fibrous texture, resembling the stretchy qualities of melted mozzarella, without the hassle of having to make vegan mozzarella cheese from scratch.
- All-purpose flour and rice flour: These flours are breading ingredients and help create a coating on the hearts of palm sticks, providing a base for the breadcrumbs to adhere to.
- Breadcrumbs: They form the outer crunchy layer of the dairy-free mozzarella sticks, giving them a crispy texture when baked or fried.
- Nutritional yeast: Adds a cheesy flavor, which contributes to the overall mozzarella-like taste.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
🔄 Substitutions
Are you looking for substitutions or quicker alternatives? Here is a list of possible substitutions, but feel free to experiment and adapt based on your preferences and dietary needs.
- Hearts of Palm - If you can't find Hearts of Palm, try substituting them with sliced zucchini, eggplant sticks, white asparagus in a jar, or store-bought vegan cheese sticks.
- Cooking Oil - Instead of using cooking oil to spray the sticks before baking, you can use melted vegan butter or a light coating of olive oil. To fry them use frying-safe oil.
- All-Purpose Flour - If you prefer a gluten-free option, you can replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 flour blend.
- Rice Flour - If you don't have rice flour on hand, you can use cornstarch or tapioca flour as a substitute.
- Bread crumbs - Opt for gluten-free breadcrumbs if you have a gluten intolerance. You can also experiment with crushed cornflakes or crushed crackers for a different texture. Our vegan chicken wings recipe uses crushed crackers as a crispy breading!
- Nutritional Yeast - Adds a cheesy flavor to the breading, but if you don't have it, you can omit it or replace it with vegan parmesan cheese, or a sprinkle of garlic powder.
- Marinara Dipping Sauce - While our recipe suggests using Marinara sauce, you can get creative with your dipping sauce. Try using vegan ranch dressing, spicy sriracha mayo (yup, it's vegan!), or our barbecue-flavored dipping sauce. For more ideas read the serving ideas section.
Keep in mind, substitutions will bring their own unique flavors and texture to the dish. Enjoy exploring different variations and discovering your favorite twist on our recipe!
💡 Variations
There are many delicious variations to explore with this vegan mozzarella sticks recipe! Here are a few ideas to play around with to zing it up:
- Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the breading mixture for a spicy twist.
- Herb-infused: Experiment with your favorite spices like thyme, onion powder, turmeric, rosemary, sage, or an Italian seasoning to infuse the breading with different aromatic flavors.
- Gluten-Free: To make these vegan mozzarella sticks gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and use gluten free 1:1 flour instead of all purpose flour.
- Cheese-Stuffed: For an extra gooey center, cut vegan mozzarella cheese into thin slices and place them around the hearts of palms before breading. You can use both store-bought or homemade vegan mozzarella for this. Another alternative is using Daiya cheese sticks. Simply dunk them in vegan milk or aquafaba (brine of a can of chickpeas) and roll through the breading before baking or frying.
Feel free to mix and match these flavor variations and play with the recipe. Experimenting with different ingredients and flavors is part of the fun! If you end up whipping up a fantastic variation, don't forget to drop a comment at the bottom of the blog post! I'm all ears and absolutely thrilled to hear about your culinary adventures.
🍽 Equipment
To make this vegan mozzarella sticks recipe, you'll need a few kitchen essentials. A baking sheet lined with parchment paper is necessary to provide a flat surface for the hearts of palm sticks. That way they will bake evenly without sticking to the sheet.
A shallow plate or bowl is needed to hold the dry breading ingredients. Cooking spray or oil is used to lightly coat the breaded sticks before baking, which is used to achieve a crispy and golden texture.
A serving bowl and plate are necessary to hold the dipping sauce and provide a convenient and appealing presentation for your vegan mozzarella sticks.
If you choose to fry the mozzarella sticks instead of baking, you'll need either a pot, deep fryer, or skillet to heat the frying oil or alternatively use an air-fryer.
Find product links in the recipe card below.
👩🏽🍳 How To Make Vegan Mozzarella Sticks
Let's chat about how to make the best baked vegan mozzarella sticks from scratch! Follow our step-by-step guide:
1. Start by preheating your oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Then, in a shallow plate or bowl, combine all the breading ingredients.
2. Drain the hearts of palm from the cans and rinse and pat them dry thoroughly.
3. Roll each heart of palm through the breading mixture, coating them evenly. Place the breaded sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Spray all sides of the breaded sticks with cooking oil to help them crisp up during baking.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until the breading is crisp and golden brown. Flip the sticks halfway through. While the sticks are baking, prepare the dipping sauce or any other items you want to serve with your vegan mozzarella sticks.
Alternative Cooking Methods:
- Air Fryer: Yes you can air-fry these! Air-fry sprayed mozzarella sticks at 375ºF (190ºC) for 10- 15 minutes. Check on them halfway through and flip.
- Deep Frying: If you prefer a more indulgent treat, deep frying the breaded hearts of palm in hot oil until golden brown is an option. Voilà, vegan fried mozzarella sticks! However, keep in mind that this method will shorten the cook time, and be higher in calories and oil content.
✨ Sprinkle's Expert Tips ✨
- When breading the hearts of the palm, use one hand for the dry ingredients and the other hand for the wet ingredients to avoid clumping and sticking.
- To amp up the crunch double-dip the hearts of palm in the breading mixture for a thicker outer layer.
- Don't shy away from experimenting with additional seasoning. Add herbs like basil, onion powder, oregano, or thyme to the breading mixture for a more nuanced flavor.
🍝 Serving Ideas
Vegan mozzarella cheese sticks are a versatile and delicious appetizer that can be served in various ways! Here are some of our favorite serving ideas:
- Classic Dip and Serve: Marinara sauce is a classic, complements the cheesy flavor and provides a tangy contrast. Other dip ideas include homemade avocado pesto, roasted red pepper sauce, this 4 ingredient artichoke dip, vegan chipotle sauce, or this easy barbecue dipping sauce.
- Buffalo Style: Toss mozzarella sticks in buffalo sauce for a spicy kick and serve with vegan ranch dressing.
- Loaded Mozzarella Sticks: Make vegan loaded fries, and load them up with mozz sticks! Another idea is to load your mozz sticks up with fresh tomato and basil bruschetta for a refreshing and Italian-inspired twist. Feel free to get creative here!
- Pasta: Serve your vegan mozzarella sticks with your favorite pasta dish! We love it with our healthy vegan Alfredo recipe, this classic spaghetti tofu bolognese, and our favorite pasta with this easy 3 ingredient tomato sauce.
- Nachos: Arrange mozzarella sticks on a plate and top with black beans, jalapeños, diced tomatoes, guacamole, and dairy-free sour cream for a fun twist on classic nachos.
Remember to serve the mozzarella sticks hot and crispy for the best experience. Whether you're hosting a party or simply looking for a delicious snack, these serving ideas can elevate your mozzarella stick game and impress your guests!
💭 Recipe FAQ
If you don't want to make them from scratch, you can find vegan mozzarella sticks at health food stores, vegan grocery stores, online retailers like Amazon, some supermarkets, vegan restaurants, and some local vegan food vendors or farmers' markets. Some popular brands that sell plant-based mozzarella sticks are WhoolyVeggie!, and Farm Rich.
Yes, you can freeze the vegan mozzarella sticks before or after frying.
Before frying: Bread the hearts of palm, place them on a parchment-lined tray, and freeze for 1-2 hours. Then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag, separating the layers. Fry or bake them directly from frozen when you're ready to enjoy!
After frying: Allow them to cool, then place them on a baking sheet in the freezer for 1-2 hours until hardened. Transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper. They stay good for 2-3 months. To reheat, bake in a preheated oven at 375ºF (190ºC) for 15-20 minutes until heated through and crispy.
You can buy hearts of palm at grocery stores, specialty food stores, online retailers (like Amazon), health food stores, or Latin American markets. Look for brands like Reese's in cans or jars. Check the label for additives and choose the option that fits your recipe.
🥣 Storage & Reheating Instructions
Storage: To store leftover vegan mozzarella sticks, cool them completely. This is essential to avoid trapping moisture, which can lead to soggy mozz sticks! Then pack them in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-4 days. Reheat these babies in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes until crispy.
Freezing: If you intend to keep the mozzarella sticks for a longer period, you have the option to freeze them. Follow the steps from above, but place the airtight container or bag with the vegan mozzarella sticks in your freezer instead of the fridge.
Freeze the vegan cheese sticks for up to 2-3 months. Freezing helps to preserve their texture and flavor. When ready to enjoy, pop them in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until crispy and cooked through.
🌱 More Vegan Recipes You'll Love
📖 Recipe
Vegan Mozzarella Sticks
Equipment
- shallow plate or bowl
- small bowl for sauce
- oven or
- pan to pan-fry or
- air-fryer to air-fry
Ingredients
- 4 cans hearts of palm 16 sticks (we used Reese's select hearts of palm)
- cooking spray or frying oil
Breading
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup rice flour
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon of each garlic powder, black pepper, and sea salt
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
Homemade Marinara Sauce for Dipping
- 1 package crushed tomatoes with basil (we used Pomì)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Mozzarella Sticks
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF (190ºC).
- In a shallow plate or bowl, combine all the breading ingredients: all-purpose flour, rice flour, breadcrumbs, nutritional yeast, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper and parsley.
- Drain the hearts of palm from the cans and rinse and pat them dry thoroughly.
- Roll each heart of palm through the breading mixture, coating them evenly. Place the breaded sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Spray all sides of the breaded sticks with cooking oil to help them crisp up during baking. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until the breading is crisp and golden brown. Flip the sticks halfway through the baking process and apply more cooking oil if needed (15 minutes into baking).
- Alternatively, you can choose to air-fry* or fry the sticks in oil using a deep-fryer*, pot, or skillet.
- Once the vegan mozzarella sticks are ready, serve them warm with the prepared dipping sauce or as desired.
Dipping sauce
- While the sticks are baking, prepare the dipping sauce. In a bowl, mix the crushed tomatoes with basil and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences. Set aside some of the sauce for serving with the mozzarella sticks and store any leftovers in an airtight container or jar in the fridge (good for around 5 to 7 days in an air-tight container).
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The provided nutritional information is an estimate. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
For food safety see guidelines at USDA.gov.
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