Pizza Sticks

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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!

A plate of pizza sticks.


 

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!

Recipe ingredients

Labeled ingredients for pizza sticks.

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

  1. 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.
Twelve string cheese pieces on a wooden cutting board with pepperoni wedged in them.
  1. 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.
A pizza stick being assembled on a wooden cutting board.
  1. 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.
A pizza stick being assembled on a wooden cutting board.
  1. 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.
Prepared pizza sticks on a wooden cutting board before being baked.
  1. 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.
Pizza sticks in a countertop deep fryer.
  1. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels and repeat with remaining pizza sticks.
Pizza sticks on a paper towel lined wooden cutting board.
  1. Serve pizza sticks warm with the marinara dipping sauce on the side.
Pizza sticks on a small baking sheet.

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

What is a pizza stick?

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.

What are the best dipping sauces for pizza sticks?

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.

How do you seal wonton wrappers?

You can use water or a mixture of egg and water depending on your recipe.

More party appetizers

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A plate of pizza sticks.

Pizza Sticks

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! 
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 12 servings, 1 pizza stick each
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Calories 177
5 from 10 votes

Ingredients 

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

  1. Cheese: Any string cheese works. If I’m snacking with adults, sometimes I grab smoked string cheese.
  2. Mini pepperoni: Or substitute full-size pepperoni and cut the pieces in half or in quarters.
  3. Egg roll wrappers: These are often sold in the refrigerated section of the produce aisle.
  4. Yield: This recipe makes 12 Pizza Sticks.
  5. Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 pizza stickCalories: 177kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 10gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 480mgPotassium: 43mgFiber: 0.2gVitamin A: 6IUCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @culinaryhill on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece! #culinaryhill
5 from 10 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Comments

    1. I bought an air fryer on Black Friday. I’ll definitely try these out in that! Thank you so much for the great idea. -Meggan

  1. Thanx for another wonderful recipe…can’t wait to try it! HOWEVER, I can’t join you in your “frying dance” as my family will not eat fried food….boo hoo! Would you share the best way to bake these “little wonders” so they come out kidda like yours? I will try them this weekend!

  2. I can’t say no to anything that includes warm, gooey cheese, especially when they are this simple to make! My husband would absolutely love these so I know I’ll be making them soon! Off to pin…

  3. These look insanely good. I love those little pepperoni pieces wedged in the cheese. My guys will love these while watching football.5 stars

    1. Thank you Cindy, they were definitely a hit in my household! It seems that on the weekends these days, it’s nothing but one football game after another, so no matter when I made these sticks, there would be football on. 🙂 But at least I could eat pizza sticks!!!

  4. Meggan!!! You have totally and completely outdone yourself. I cannot take these more than adorable and most definitely drool-inducing pictures of pizza sticks!!! You are a genius, friend! Let the frying begin 😉5 stars

    1. Kathi you are the sweetest! High praise coming from you. 🙂 Thank you so much, I definitely enjoyed making, and more importantly, DEVOURING all the pizza sticks! They were pretty delicious, if I say so myself. 🙂

  5. Get out of here with that baking talk–we need to deep fry these babies all the way! Those are some sexy, sexy pictures of stringy, melting cheese and pepperoni–hot dang! I cannot WAIT to give these a try at my next party.5 stars

    1. Yes, I try to leave the baking to YOU, my SugarHero, whenever possible. 🙂 I’ll do the deep-fry dance! I did work really hard on the stretchy-cheese shot. It finally worked out, so thank you for noticing!

    2. Yes I shall leave the baking to you, I’ll stick to my deep-fryer. 🙂 Thanks for appreciating my stretchy-cheese shot too. 🙂

  6. those mini pepperoni are adorable!! My husband is ALWAYS asking for mozzarella sticks, like to the point where it is annoying, but maybe I can shut him up if I make him these, haha!

    1. Isadora, I find these soooo much easier to make than regular mozzarella sticks! No messing around with bread crumbs and egg or milk or whatever to batter the cheese, just wrap them in an egg roll! And hey, leave out the pepperoni and tell him it’s a mozzarella stick! 🙂 Thank you for stopping by!

  7. These are amazing! I love this idea Meggan! And could those little pepperonis be any cuter? What a perfect football game day appetizer.

    1. Thank you so much, Natalie! The pepperonis are super adorbs. I will probably always buy that size from now on, they are just too cute to pass up!