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Fried Mozzarella

Olive Garden Fried Mozzarella

$9.29 800 cal,marinara 35 cal AppetizersCatering

Fried mozzarella cheese with marinara sauce.
Olive Garden Menu View on OliveGarden.com

About This Dish

Fried Mozzarella at Olive Garden is a classic appetizer priced at $9.29 that consistently ranks as one of the most ordered starters at the restaurant. The dish consists of sliced whole-milk mozzarella, breaded in a seasoned coating and fried until the exterior is golden-crisp while the interior melts into a stretched, gooey pull. It is served with a side of homemade marinara sauce, which adds 35 calories to the 800-calorie total for the dish. The combination of the crispy breaded shell and the hot, molten mozzarella creates a textural contrast that makes this one of the most satisfying appetizers in casual Italian-American dining.

At $9.29 per order, the Fried Mozzarella at Olive Garden delivers significant value relative to the quality of the preparation. The restaurant uses whole-milk mozzarella, which has a higher fat content and melts more cleanly than part-skim alternatives. The breading is seasoned with Italian herbs and Parmesan, providing a savory crust that complements the mild, creamy cheese. For group orders, this appetizer is best shared among 2 to 3 guests before the main pasta course.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving

800 Calories
49g Total Fat
1990mg Sodium

* Nutritional values are approximate and may vary. Last updated March 2026.

How to Copycat Olive Garden Fried Mozzarella at Home?

Prep: 45 min Cook: 10 min Total: 55 min Easy

Fried Mozzarella at Olive Garden works because the restaurant uses whole-milk mozzarella frozen slightly before breading, which gives the breading time to crisp in hot oil before the cheese reaches its full melting point. Home versions fail when the cheese is added at room temperature — the interior melts and erupts through the crust before the breading can properly set.

The double-breading technique used in this copycat recipe creates a thick enough crust to contain the hot, molten mozzarella. A single layer of breadcrumbs provides insufficient barrier; using egg-breadcrumb-egg-breadcrumb builds the structure needed for a clean, pull-apart result. The oil temperature is equally critical — 375F ensures the crust crisps in about 90 seconds without the cheese inside completely melting away.

Ingredients

4 servings

Mozzarella

Dipping Sauce

Instructions

0 / 5

  1. Slice mozzarella into 1/2-inch rounds or rectangles. Place on a plate and freeze for 30 minutes.

    30 min

    The freezing step is non-negotiable. Room-temperature mozzarella melts through the breading before the crust crisps. 30 minutes in the freezer is the minimum.

  2. Set up a breading station: flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in another, and combined Italian breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a third.

    3 min

  3. Coat each frozen mozzarella piece in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs, pressing firmly. Repeat the egg and breadcrumb step for a double coating.

    8 min

  4. Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy pot to 375F. Fry 4 to 5 pieces at a time for 60 to 90 seconds per side until deeply golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

    10 min

    Watch carefully. The difference between perfectly golden and burnt is under 30 seconds at this temperature. Keep your eye on the pan.

  5. Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.

    1 min

Pro Tips

  • Return mozzarella to the freezer for 10 minutes after breading if you are not frying immediately. Keeping the cheese cold is the whole strategy.
  • Do not crowd the frying pot. Lowering too many pieces at once drops the oil temperature and produces greasy, pale crust.
  • Whole-milk mozzarella in block form is essential. Part-skim mozzarella separates and turns rubbery instead of stretching cleanly when fried.

Variations

Air Fryer Version

Spray breaded mozzarella generously with cooking oil spray. Air fry at 400F for 5 to 6 minutes until golden. The texture is slightly different from deep-fried but substantially lower in fat.

Spicy Version

Add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture. Serve with spicy marinara made with arrabbiata sauce.

Serving Ideas

  • Serve while still sizzling — the cheese sets quickly as it cools
  • Warm marinara is the classic pairing; keep it in a small ramekin on the side
  • A drizzle of balsamic glaze on top adds a sophisticated note
  • Pair with a cold Italian lager or sparkling water with lemon to cut the richness

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Find Fried Mozzarella Near You

Visit one of Olive Garden's 900+ locations to enjoy the Fried Mozzarella at $9.29.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Fried Mozzarella is priced at $9.29 per order. It includes a side of homemade marinara sauce. Prices vary slightly at Olive Garden locations in New York, Alaska, and California.
The Fried Mozzarella appetizer contains 800 calories. The marinara dipping sauce adds 35 calories per serving. The dish has 49 grams of fat and 1,990 milligrams of sodium.
Olive Garden uses whole-milk mozzarella for the Fried Mozzarella appetizer. Whole-milk mozzarella has a higher fat content than part-skim, which allows it to melt smoothly without separating or turning rubbery when fried. The cheese is sliced into rounds or blocks before breading.
Freeze mozzarella slices for 30 minutes before breading to prevent them from melting too quickly during frying. Dip each slice in egg, then seasoned breadcrumbs with Parmesan, then egg again, then breadcrumbs a second time for a thicker crust. Fry in 375F oil for 60 to 90 seconds per side until golden. Serve immediately with warm marinara.
Yes, Fried Mozzarella is vegetarian. The mozzarella is plant-rennet or standard rennet based on the supplier, and the breading contains no meat. The marinara sauce is also meat-free. This makes it one of the few vegetarian appetizers on the Olive Garden menu.