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It only takes 3 ingredients to make these easy, cheesy Pizza Sticks! Wrap cheese and mini pepperonis in wonton wrappers, then fry to crispy golden perfect. So great with marinara sauce, ranch, or nacho cheese dipping sauces!
Meggan’s notes
I never met a deep-fried snack that I didn’t love, but making them at home is always more satisfying. As a classically-trained chef, I’m well-versed in what makes a good snack, and I’ve got all the tips and tricks to make sure you succeed when you make pizza sticks at home.
To ensure maximum pepperoni flavor, I tuck mini pepperonis both inside of and next to a mozzarella cheese stick. Seal the wonton wrapper edges with water before carefully folding and rolling the pizza sticks into perfect little parcels.
350 degrees is the ideal frying temperature here, and just be sure you don’t overcrowd the fryer. Every time you add a stick, the temperature will drop, so keep an eye on that. With these tips and a fool-proof recipe, you’re guaranteed Pizza Stick Success every single time!
Table of Contents
Recipe ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
Ingredient notes
- Cheese: Any string cheese works. If I’m snacking with adults, sometimes I grab smoked string cheese.
- Mini pepperoni: Or substitute full-size pepperoni and cut the pieces in half or in quarters.
- Egg roll wrappers: These are often sold in the refrigerated section of the produce aisle.
Step-by-step instructions
- Slice the string cheese sticks lengthwise about 75% of the way through to make a crevice. Fill each crevice with 4 slices of mini pepperoni.
- Working with one egg roll wrapper at a time, lay a wrapper on a cutting board or other flat surface and brush the edges with water. Arrange a filled cheese stick on one side. Add 4 more mini pepperoni on the wrapper next to the cheese stick.
- Starting at the end of the wrapper with the cheese stick, roll the wrapper tightly around the cheese stick and the pepperoni. When the cheese stick is about 75% rolled, fold in the sides like a burrito and continue rolling.
- Seal the edges of the egg roll wrapper on itself. Set aside on a plate covered with a damp paper towel and repeat with remaining wrappers, cheese, and pepperoni.
- Heat oil in a sauce pan, stock pot, or electric deep fryer to 350 degrees. Working in batches, deep-fry 3 to 4 pizza sticks at a time until the egg roll wrapper is golden brown on all sides, about 3 minutes.
- Remove to a plate lined with paper towels and repeat with remaining pizza sticks.
- Serve pizza sticks warm with the marinara dipping sauce on the side.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: This recipe makes 12 Pizza Sticks.
- Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer.
- Make ahead: Wrap the cheese and pepperoni in the wonton wrappers up to one day in advance. Store covered, wrapped in damp paper towels, in the refrigerator. You don’t want the wrappers to dry out.
- Favorite dipping sauces for pizza sticks: Try Marinara Dipping Sauce, cool and creamy Ranch Dressing, or even Homemade Cheese Sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
A pizza stick is any kind of appetizer filled with pizza toppings such as sauce, cheese, pepperoni, or vegetables. They could be wrapped in bread dough, in a batter, or in a wonton wrapper.
I love classic tomato-based marinara, but ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, nacho cheese sauce, or any sort of garlic butter dip could be delicious as well. Need more inspiration? See what your favorite pizza chains are serving for dipping sauces.
You can use water or a mixture of egg and water depending on your recipe.
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Pizza Sticks
Ingredients
- 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks (see note 1)
- 1 package mini pepperoni (see note 2)
- 12 egg roll wrappers (see note 3)
- 2 quarts vegetable oil or canola oil, for frying
- marinara sauce for serving
Instructions
- Slice the string cheese sticks lengthwise about 75% of the way through to make a crevice. Fill each crevice with 4 slices of mini pepperoni.
- Working with one egg roll wrapper at a time, lay a wrapper on a cutting board or other flat surface and brush the edges with water. Arrange a filled cheese stick on one side. Add 4 more mini pepperoni on the wrapper next to the cheese stick.
- Starting at the end of the wrapper with the cheese stick, roll the wrapper tightly around the cheese stick and the pepperoni. When the cheese stick is about 75% rolled, fold in the sides like a burrito and continue rolling.
- Seal the edges of the egg roll wrapper on itself. Set aside on a plate covered with a damp paper towel and repeat with remaining wrappers, cheese, and pepperoni.
- Heat oil in a sauce pan, stock pot, or electric deep fryer to 350 degrees. Working in batches, deep-fry 3 to 4 pizza sticks at a time until the egg roll wrapper is golden brown on all sides, about 3 minutes.
- Remove to a plate lined with paper towels and repeat with remaining pizza sticks. Serve pizza sticks warm with the marinara dipping sauce on the side.
Notes
- Cheese: Any string cheese works. If I’m snacking with adults, sometimes I grab smoked string cheese.
- Mini pepperoni: Or substitute full-size pepperoni and cut the pieces in half or in quarters.
- Egg roll wrappers: These are often sold in the refrigerated section of the produce aisle.
- Yield: This recipe makes 12 Pizza Sticks.
- Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer.
Nutrition
Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.
I don’t use canola oil and prefer not to fry in oil. This sound great! Would it work in the air fryer? If not, avocado oil?
Thank you!
Hi Linda, I just tested some coated brushed with avocado oil in the air fryer, and some without. I air fried them at 390 degrees in a preheated air fryer for 6 minutes. A good range would be 5 to 7 to account for your individual air fryer. I feel both the oiled and un-oiled egg roll wrappers were dry, and not as tasty as their fried counterparts. Otherwise, they were cheesy and delicious. They may taste better fried in avocado oil on the stove top. I hope this helps! – Meggan
You mentioned air frying leftovers but what time/temp could I air fry to begin with? For health reasons, we cannot deep fry.
Hi Norma, I just tested some coated brushed with oil in the air fryer. I air fried them at 390 degrees in a preheated air fryer for 6 minutes. A good range would be 5 to 7 to account for your individual air fryer. I feel the wrappers were dry, and not as tasty as their fried counterparts. Otherwise, they were cheesy and delicious. I hope this helps! – Meggan
Yum! Can you make them in an air fryer?
Hi Carolyn, I just tested some coated brushed with oil in the air fryer. I air fried them at 390 degrees in a preheated air fryer for 6 minutes. A good range would be 5 to 7 to account for your individual air fryer. I feel the egg roll wrappers were dry, and not as tasty as their fried counterparts. Otherwise, they were cheesy and delicious. I hope this helps! – Meggan
Can these be made ahead and frozen uncooked?
Hi Hannah! I haven’t tried that, but I think so. Freezing them would work fine, I just cannot predict for sure what the cook temperature and time would be coming from frozen. If you thawed them, then the recipe should work without issue. If you cook them straight from frozen, you might need to play around with that to figure out the time and temperature. To freeze, set them on a plate or something like that, not touching, and freeze individually, then transfer to a bag so they don’t get stuck together. Thank you! -Meggan
Can these be wrapped ahead of time, frozen and then fried up the day of? These look like the perfect little appetizer and my lil’ ones would absolutely love them! Thanks for sharing ๐