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12+ BEST Dipping Sauces for Mozzarella Sticks

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Posted by:

Erin Lynch

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Updated:

June 24, 2025

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5 from 1 vote

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Wondering what the best dipping sauces for mozzarella sticks are? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide of 12+ easy sauce recipes.

Collage of sauces for mozzarella sticks with text overlay.

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Elevate your mozzarella stick game with these irresistible dipping sauces. From the classic marinara to the tangy BBQ and unique Asian fusion, there’s a dipping sauce for every palate.

Whether you prefer a kick of spice, a burst of sweetness, or a creamy and indulgent experience, these sauces will take your mozzarella stick snacking to new heights.

So go ahead, get dipping, and enjoy the cheesy deliciousness!

Wondering what to serve with your meal? Try one of these 25+ sides for mozzarella sticks!

PS – These dipping sauces are not only delicious with mozzarella sticks, but they’re also great with pizza, toasted ravioli, chicken tenders and chicken wings too!

The BEST Mozzarella Stick Dipping Sauces

Hand holding jar of homemade marinara sauce.
Simple Marinara Sauce
Starting off with a classic, marinara sauce is a timeless choice for mozzarella sticks. Its rich tomato base, enhanced with garlic, herbs, and a touch of sweetness, complements the cheesy goodness perfectly.
Marinara Sauce
Spoonful of creamy garlic sauce.
Creamy Garlic Sauce
Indulge in the decadence of a creamy garlic sauce. This velvety delight, made with butter, garlic, and cream, provides a rich and savory experience that pairs flawlessly with mozzarella sticks.
Creamy Garlic Sauce
Close up of creamy sun dried tomato sauce on serving spoon.
Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
Make this 15-minute Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Sauce to instantly transform your pasta, chicken, or seafood into a gourmet meal! It’s luxurious and easy to make with cream, sun dried tomatoes, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese.
Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Sauce
Hand holding jar of homemade bbq sauce
Easy BBQ Sauce
Add a twist to your mozzarella sticks with a tangy barbecue sauce. Its smoky flavor and slight sweetness will provide a delightful contrast to the creamy cheese, resulting in a lip-smacking combination.
Tangy BBQ Sauce
Side view of parmesan cream sauce in serving bowl.
Parmesan Cream Sauce
This 15-minute Parmesan Cream Sauce is the ultimate condiment for cheese lovers. Parmesan cheese, garlic, and heavy cream are swirled together in a skillet to give you a silky smooth and decadent sauce for pasta, chicken, and more.
Parmesan Cream Sauce
Restaurant ranch dressing in small glass jar with spoon.
Restaurant Ranch Dressing
Ranch dressing lovers, rejoice! The cool and creamy goodness of ranch complements the warm mozzarella sticks beautifully. The blend of herbs and buttermilk in ranch dressing adds a refreshing element to the indulgent snack.
Creamy Ranch
Side view of red wine pasta sauce pasta.
Red Wine Pasta Sauce
This quick and easy Red Wine Sauce is made with simple ingredients, and it’s one of the best ways to use leftover red wine!
Red Wine Sauce
Basil Arugula pesto in small white bowl with spoon.
Arugula Pesto
Bring a taste of Italy to your mozzarella sticks with zesty pesto sauce. Made with fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil, this vibrant sauce infuses your cheesy delights with a burst of aromatic flavors.
Zesty Pesto
Honey mustard dipping sauce in small serving bowl next to honey wand.
Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
Strike a perfect balance between sweet and tangy by dipping your mozzarella sticks into a honey mustard sauce. The combination of smooth honey and zesty mustard creates a harmony that will leave you craving more.
Honey Mustard
Jar of chipotle crema with spoon on small plate next to lime wedges and small bowl of chipotles.
Chipotle Crema
Add a touch of smoky heat to your mozzarella sticks with a chipotle sauce. Made from chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, mayonnaise, and lime juice, this spicy, smoky delight brings a Southwestern flair to your snack time.
Smoky Chipotle
Hand holding spoon dipped into jar of buffalo sauce.
Buffalo Wing Sauce Recipe
Fans of Buffalo wings will love this tangy and spicy option. Buffalo sauce, made with hot sauce, melted butter, and a touch of vinegar, gives your mozzarella sticks a fiery kick that's hard to resist.
Buffalo Sauce
Side view of container of blue cheese dressing in small jar with spoon.
Steakhouse Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe
Pair the creaminess of blue cheese with the cheesy goodness of mozzarella sticks. The distinct flavor of blue cheese provides a unique and indulgent dipping experience that will leave you wanting more.
Creamy Blue Cheese
Sauce with spoon in skillet.
Fra Diavolo Sauce
Diavolo sauce is a fantastic option for dipping mozzarella sticks. Diavolo, meaning "devil" in Italian, is a spicy tomato-based sauce that adds a fiery kick to your snack. The combination of crushed tomatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes, and herbs creates a bold and intense flavor profile that pairs exceptionally well with the mild and creamy mozzarella sticks.
Diavolo Sauce
Spoon drizzling balsamic reduction into small bowl.
Balsamic Reduction (Balsamic Glaze)
Learn how to make Balsamic Reduction with just 2 ingredients! This easy, 20-minute recipe turns balsamic vinegar and an optional sweetener into a thick, glossy, and tangy-sweet syrup that’s perfect for drizzling on salads, veggies, meats, desserts, and more.
Balsamic Glaze
Overhead shot of jalapeno ranch in small jar with spoon, topped with sliced jalapenos.
Jalapeño Ranch
Jalapeño Ranch is perfect as a dressing, dip or sauce. It’s creamy with a distinct herby flavor but its subtle spicy kick is what keeps you coming back for more!
Jalapeno Ranch

How to make ahead and store

Many of these dipping sauce recipes can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for a few days. Simply check the individual recipes for full storing instructions and details on how to make ahead. 

What to serve with mozzarella sticks

  • Caesar Salad
  • Tomato & Cucumber Salad
  • Cherry Tomato Salad
  • Pesto Pasta
  • Pizza
  • Fried Ravioli

More sauce recipes

  • Sauces for Chicken Wings
  • Sauces for Pizza
  • Sauces for Salmon
  • Sauces for Steak
  • Sauces for Sushi
  • Sauces for Tacos

Did you make any of these mozzarella stick dipping sauce recipes?

Please leave a comment and rating below, if you loved this round up of delicious dipping sauces for mozzarella sticks. Also, be sure to snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #platingsandpairings and tagging me @platingsandpairings.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? For more great Platings & Pairings recipes, be sure to follow me on Pinterest, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

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Collage of sauces for mozzarella sticks.

Full Recipe

12+ BEST Sauces for Mozzarella Sticks

Wondering what the best dipping sauces for mozzarella sticks are? I’ve got you covered with this handy guide of 12+ easy sauce recipes. Try this easy 30 Minute Marinara Sauce. Using basic ingredients & only 1 pot.
5 from 1 vote
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Serves 4 people
Created by Platings and Pairings
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 25 minutes mins
Total Time: 30 minutes mins

Equipment

  • Large Saucepan

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 28-ounce can San Marzano whole tomatoes (with juices)
  • 1 large fresh basil sprig
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus additional, to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon sugar (plus additional, to taste)
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

For Serving (optional):

  • Cooked Pasta
  • Grated Parmesan
  • Chopped Basil

Instructions

  • In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and saute about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
  • Add the tomatoes (with their juices), basil sprig, oregano, sugar, salt, and red pepper flakes (if using).
  • Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium-high heat. Then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and continue to simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, and using a sturdy spoon to crush the tomatoes as they cook.
  • Remove and discard the basil sprig. Season with additional salt and sugar, to taste. (If you prefer a smooth sauce, you can also purée it with an immersion blender, blender or food processor until it reaches your desired consistency.)

Notes

This sauce keeps well, covered and refrigerated, for up to 5 days. Freeze it for up to 3 months.
Note: Amount of sugar needed will depend on the sweetness of your tomatoes, so be sure to season to taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 67kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 582mg | Potassium: 9mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 4mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @platingsandpairings or tag #platingsandpairings!
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Hi, I’m Erin!

Can I pour you a glass of wine? Let’s have some fun in the kitchen! Maybe some pasta? A juicy steak? I’ve got loads of yummy, easy recipes for you! Because cooking should feel as comfy as your favorite yoga pants. ♥

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