11 Frozen Mozzarella Stick Brands, Ranked Worst To Best

Ah, frozen mozzarella sticks -– the savior of party hosts and late-night snackers alike. The Beyoncé of fried treats, if you will. While you can bake and air fry your own, real mozzarella stick fans aren't looking for a hassle, and snacking doesn't need to be with an array of frozen options on the market. These crispy, gooey snack sticks have been a freezer staple for decades, but with so many brands on the market, it's hard to know which one is truly the best.

That's where we come in to save the day. Countless hours and calories were consumed to examine everything from breading crispiness, cheese stretchiness, nutritional profile, and of course, flavor explosion. But fair warning: This list is not for the faint of heart. There are some serious cheese fails along the way with multiple tasteless disappointments.

Through the trials and tribulations of this cheesy journey, you can discover which brands made the cut and which ones to avoid. So without further ado, grab your favorite dipping sauce and get ready to join fellow cheese lovers on a journey through the world of frozen mozzarella sticks. Because if there's one thing in this world that's for sure, it's that cheese makes everything better -– even when it's frozen.

They say certain items with cheese, like pizza for example, are always good, even when they're not. Whether you agree with that statement or are a posh cheese snob, there are some who feel this way about Snapps Mozzarella Sticks. Snapps offers a crunchy, cheesy snack that is quick to prepare and easy on the wallet, ringing in at under $2 for a 5-ounce box. But there is a reason they say you get what you pay for.

Snapps' nutritional profile leaves cause for concern with 920 milligrams of sodium and 430 calories per serving. You'll also find a whole lot of words you'll struggle to pronounce on the packaging under the ingredients heading. Along with a salt bomb and chemical additives come low-end reviews, pushing these cheesy treats into the last-place spot. Many reviewers complained that the cheese "melted like liquid." Some consumers aren't convinced it's even real cheese as the box claims. 

With little to no cheese in each stick, lackluster flavor, and a poor health rating, the cheap price tag just isn't worth it. Snapps may be great in a pinch, but these cheese treats reflect their last-place ranking.

No one is talking about Kroger Mozzarella Breaded Cheese Sticks, and that leaves pause for concern, pushing this grocery store brand away from the top choices. Not many people are reviewing this frozen snack option, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're not good. Is Kroger a diamond in the rough when it comes to flavor and value? 

After some research, it doesn't appear that way. While a 33-ounce box rings in at $10, that box has a poor nutritional profile, offering another option with an ingredient list that reads like a chemistry test. A serving of three sticks is 280 calories and 610 milligrams of sodium, leaving eaters looking for water and a nap.

While these cheesy treats, like most on the list, are highly processed, the few who are talking about them say they hold up well in the oven. Crunch and structure are important aspects of any mozzarella stick, but when it comes to flavor, the taste simply doesn't hold up to most of the other brands. With a bland flavor profile, why pay this much for a store-bought item? At this rate, you're better off going out to eat and enjoying the real deal.

Petite Cuisine Mozzarella Sticks are a gourmet option for those who enjoy a touch of sophistication in their snacks. The breading is light and crispy, and the cheese filling is rich, both holding up during the cooking process in the oven. A serving of three sticks is only 190 calories, and the fat content is lower than most with 10 grams per serving.

Why aren't they higher up on the list? You really have to commit to this brand because you can only buy them in bulk, and we mean bulk. Ordering from Amazon is your main option, but you have to sacrifice $70 for two, 5-pound boxes. Your only other purchasing option is through Costco, but those deliveries are for commercial addresses only. 

Unless you're looking to throw a party or try your hand at a mozzarella stick eating contest, Petite Cuisine just doesn't make the cut. But if you do need a large number of frozen cheese sticks, this bulk brand name has you covered.

Member's Mark Battered Mozzarella Sticks have a crispy coating and gooey cheese filling, boasting "restaurant quality" on the box, as one reviewer put it. They're a crowd-pleaser for any occasion with an average of 4.3 stars on the Sam's Club website. Even though the nay-sayers swear these treats have a funky taste, there are more lovers of this brand and its cheesy goodness than not.

However, Member's Mark comes with some downsides. The first: These are one of the least healthy options on the list, with 230 calories and 750 milligrams of sodium in only two sticks. On top of that Debbie Downer nutritional profile, you can only get them at Sam's Club, which makes them a less accessible option than most in the ranking. While they are one of the best frozen deals with 72 sticks ringing in between $15 – $17 a box, that's another high-stock commitment for something you may not love. 

Between accessibility, quantity, and lower reviews, these mozzarella treats rank close to the middle of the road.

With 390 milligrams of sodium and only 210 calories per three sticks, Publix Mozzarella Sticks is one of the healthiest in the bunch. Like most of the frozen options in the ranking, they are absolutely processed, but less so than most of the others. However, if you don't have a Publix supermarket in your area, you won't get to try these cheesy treats, making them less accessible than others on the frozen snacks list.

From the gooey cheese and the crispy breading to their price point per stick, this snack is a good deal. A 24-ounce box contains roughly 27 sticks and rings in at $9, but without a bigger audience, and complaints about leaky cheese, these sticks stay in the middle of the list. 

They're not the best, and they're not the worst. Publix cheese sticks are great in a pinch, but there is no need to write home about them.

Feel Good Foods Mozzarella Sticks are a tasty and healthier option, boasting a gluten-free label. Many agree that these sticks are some of the crispiest bites in the bunch, and the majority of consumers seem to like them, even if they are gluten-free.

While these mozzarella sticks may be a bit pricier compared to other frozen options, their nutritional value and delicious taste make them a solid value for those with dietary restrictions or those looking for a healthier alternative. A serving of four sticks contains 270 calories and only 490 milligrams of sodium. You can get a box of these delicious frozen treats for around $6 depending on which retailer you're near, and you can also get them shipped directly to your door. However, the price will jump in your Amazon cart.

Even though some feel the quality has "gone downhill" over the last few years, with others saying the cheese flavor just doesn't hold up, the overall ratings are high with Feel Good. It seems this frozen snack is truly a personal preference, and for that reason, it ranks lower on the list than the top flavorful choices.

Whole Foods 365 Frozen Mozzarella Cheese Sticks may seem like a healthier alternative to traditional frozen options, as they're made with real mozzarella cheese and tout the Whole Foods brand name. However, these high-end cheese sticks contain 320 calories per three-stick serving and 550 milligrams of sodium, making them one of the worst calories per stick in the bunch.

What they lose in nutrition, they gain in flavor. While the breading is not as crispy as some other brands, the cheese is rich and creamy with a flavor explosion you just won't find in many of the other frozen options. An overwhelming majority of consumers rank these cheese sticks as their favorite. But at a higher price point, they may not be the most affordable choice on the freezer shelf. With online ordering options from Amazon and guaranteed deliciousness, it seems these frozen snacks are worth the $5 price tag and are a solid choice for your fried cheese cravings. No matter your fried cheese preference, they are absolutely worth a try.

Nathan's Mozzarella Sticks are a delicious taste of nostalgia in every box, with perfectly melty cheese and tasty breading. While the brand is known for its famous hot dogs and hot dog eating contest, the company has so much more to offer, which is reflected in these cheesy, frozen snacks. However, there are only seven sticks per container, which has a high price point of $7. But surprisingly, these cheese sticks are healthier than most with three sticks containing 160 calories and only 300 milligrams of sodium. Who would have thought?

When it comes to taste, these mozzarella sticks will not disappoint, giving you the feeling you're at Coney Island with a hot dog in one hand and a stick of fried cheesy goodness in the other. You can hear the sounds of carnival rides and the waves rolling in as you wait for these sticks to bake in the oven. Speaking of which, Nathan's breading holds up to the oven test, and both the outer and inner flavors will make your taste buds dance. However, these treats can be harder to find than most, so while the taste profile is there, the accessibility is not, leaving them out of the top three placements.

Market Pantry Mozzarella Cheese Sticks are a convenient and affordable option for those looking for a quick and easy snack. With this brand from Target, you get a lot of bang for your buck, as one box contains 40 sticks, ringing in at $8. The nutritional profile is great, too, with 280 calories and 660 milligrams of sodium in every four sticks. These cheesy treats also sit high on the review list with a 4.5 star rating on Target's website. Only 6% of consumers ranked the product under 3 stars, which is something you don't see with many other options on this list. There aren't many brands that hold a candle to Market Pantry reviews.

Like Starbucks, you can find a Target anywhere you travel, and for an even easier option, you can order online for same-day pick-up or delivery. The low price, accessibility, and solid reviews of a tasty flavor profile make them a perfect choice for any party, late-night snack, or mozzarella craving. However, this brand is exclusive to Target only, pushing it out of the top two spots.

If you've never had TGI Fridays' signature mozzarella sticks, you simply haven't lived. All frozen cheese stick connoisseurs know about these rectangular monoliths – a frozen classic with crispy panko breading and a gooey cheese center. While the price is slightly higher than other frozen options because of the popular brand name, the quality and flavor are worth it. The sticks even come with a marinara sauce packet to make you feel like you're actually at the restaurant. No need to buy or make your own marinara sauce. You can find this frozen snack at a variety of retailers with in-store options and online accessibility. 

However, it's important to note that these mozzarella snacks are not the healthiest. Each three-stick serving contains 290 calories and 640 milligrams of sodium. But the name of the game with TGI Fridays is consistency, and that's exactly what you'll get. People enjoy these fried treats with consistent ratings across the board. They have that crispy crunch, super gooey inside, and both the cheese and breading offer a wealth of flavor. A classic is a classic for a reason, and that's why TGI Fridays are taking the runner-up spot.

Coming in at No. 1 is Farm Rich Breaded Mozzarella Sticks. These frozen snacks are budget-friendly and a delicious option that's easy to prepare. They can be found at a variety of storefronts and online marketplaces across the nation, making them the most accessible on the list, by far. 

While they're not the healthiest snack, with 270 calories and 660 milligrams of sodium per three-stick serving, the number of sticks per package and good reviews make them a solid value. You can buy 24 sticks for under $7 or a party size of 45 sticks for $12.50. 

The breading is crispy and the cheese is gooey and flavorful, making them a great option for any occasion. From families to friend groups, the comments speak for themselves with consistent 4+ star reviews on most retailer websites. The smaller package also contains a marinara sauce packet, so you'll have everything you need for an indulgent snack. 

If you haven't tried Farm Rich yet, this is your sign. From taste to value, these cheese sticks have it all!