Red Lobster Mozzarella Cheese Sticks — Price & Calories 202
Price: $10.99 | 720 Calories
Red Lobster Mozzarella Cheese sticks
The Red Lobster Mozzarella Cheese Sticks 2026 is one of the most familiar and crowd-pleasing starters on the Red Lobster Starters menu, priced at $10.99 with 720 calories. This dish features breaded mozzarella cheese sticks, fried until golden and crispy, served with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.
Unlike many other Red Lobster starters, the Mozzarella Cheese Sticks do not contain seafood, making this one of the most popular choices for diners who prefer a non-seafood starter, or for families with children who want a familiar, comforting appetizer before their seafood main courses arrive.
At 720 calories, this starter is on the higher end of the calorie range for the Starters menu, reflecting the fried breading and melted cheese filling. The combination of crispy exterior and gooey, melted mozzarella interior has made this a consistently popular choice across casual dining restaurants, and Red Lobster’s version maintains that same appeal.
Why Mozzarella Cheese Sticks Remain Popular
As one of the few non-seafood options on the Starters menu, the Mozzarella Cheese Sticks serve an important role for diners with seafood allergies, picky eaters, or anyone simply craving a classic comfort food starter. The marinara dipping sauce adds a tangy contrast to the rich, cheesy interior.
This starter is frequently ordered for families with children, as it provides a familiar option that pairs well with the also-popular Cheddar Bay Biscuits for a comfort-food-focused start to the meal.
The Only Non-Seafood Starter at Red Lobster
The Red Lobster Mozzarella Cheese Sticks is the only starter on the Starters Menu that contains no seafood whatsoever.
Every other starter Shrimp Cocktail, Coconut Shrimp, Dragon Shrimp, Lobster Dip, Lobster Flatbread, Bacon-Wrapped Sea Scallops is built around shellfish or fish. Mozzarella Cheese Sticks stand alone as the one option for guests with shellfish allergies, seafood aversions, or simply a preference for something entirely different at the start of the meal.
Nutrition Table (Per Serving)
| Dish | Calories | Protein (g) | Carbs (g) | Fat (g) | Saturated Fat (g) | Sodium (mg) | Sugar (g) | Fiber (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mozzarella Cheese sticks |
720 |
30 |
56 |
40 |
20 |
1640 |
6 |
2 |
Also Available as a Hot Platter
Mozzarella Cheese Sticks appear in two formats at Red Lobster in 2026.
The individual Starters version at $10.99 and 720 calories is designed as a solo starter or a shared two-person appetizer.
The Mozzarella Sticks Platter on the Hot Platters Menu at $23.99 and 2,220 calories is a large group-sharing format — approximately three times the individual starter portion, designed for tables of three to five guests.
For groups who want Mozzarella Sticks as a shared appetizer for the whole table rather than an individual starter, the Hot Platters version at $23.99 delivers better per-person value.
How Red Lobster's Mozzarella Sticks Compare to the Rest of the Menu
At 720 calories, the Mozzarella Cheese Sticks starter is the third highest-calorie individual starter on the Starters Menu below Crispy Dragon Shrimp at 1,010 and Lobster Dip at 890, but above Lobster Flatbread at 800.
For a non-seafood item, 720 calories is on the higher end driven by the combination of fried wheat breading and melted mozzarella filling, both of which are calorie-dense.
Shared between two guests, the per-person calorie count drops to 360 — more manageable alongside a full entrée.
Allergen Information
Contains: Dairy (Mozzarella Cheese), Wheat (Breading — direct gluten source), Eggs (Breading Batter)
Does Not Contain: Shellfish — this is the only starter on the menu suitable for guests with shellfish allergies.
Cross-contamination with other allergens is possible in Red Lobster’s shared kitchen environment. Guests with food allergies should inform their server before placing an order.
Gluten Information
Red Lobster Mozzarella Cheese Sticks are not gluten-free.
The breading on every cheese stick contains wheat flour as a direct ingredient.
No gluten-free version of this starter is available at Red Lobster restaurant locations.
Availability
Red Lobster Mozzarella Cheese Sticks are available on the Starters Menu at participating Red Lobster locations.
Delivery availability through platforms such as DoorDash varies by location. For official ordering, visit redlobster.com.