Olive Garden Fried Mozzarella
Most popularOlive Garden Fried Mozzarella costs $9.29 and delivers 800 calories of breaded, golden cheese served with a side of marinara. It is the most ordered appetizer on the menu and the one kids reach for first.
The Olive Garden Fried Mozzarella is one of the most popular appetizers items on the Olive Garden Menu, priced at $9.29 ($8.79 to $11.49 depending on your state). A standard serving contains 800 calories.
Ingredients Summary
Mozzarella cut into thick planks, coated in seasoned Italian breadcrumbs, fried in soy oil and served with homemade marinara for dipping.
Taste Profile
Crisp breadcrumb shell, then a long, salty cheese pull. The marinara cuts the richness with acidity and a little garlic. Eat it within five minutes; the cheese firms up quickly.
One order has 49 g of fat and 1,990 mg of sodium, close to a full day's sodium limit, and it is meant for the table rather than one person.
Healthier alternative: Share it four ways and pair it with a house salad instead of a second fried starter, or start with minestrone at 110 calories.
“It is the reliable crowd pleaser: nothing surprising, always hot, and the marinara is better than the cheese. A strong pick for a table with kids.”
Menu Hacks & Pro Tips
Dietary Information
Not vegetarian by Olive Garden's definition because of shared fryer use and rennet. Contains dairy, wheat, gluten and soy, and it is fried in the shared soy oil fryer.
Nutritional Facts
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 800kcal | 40% |
| Total Fat | 49g | 63% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 57g | 21% |
| Protein | 33g | 66% |
| Sodium | 1990mg | 87% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 17g | 85% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | |
| Cholesterol | 65mg | 22% |
| Dietary Fiber | 4g | 14% |
Nutritional values are based on standard recipes and may vary by location or customization. Compare this item with the rest of the menu on our complete Olive Garden nutrition facts page.
Most Ordered Together
Fried mozzarella and calamari are the two fried starters most tables order together; both share the same marinara.
Allergen Information
The official Olive Garden allergen guide lists dairy, wheat, gluten, soy for the Fried Mozzarella. Kitchens share fryers and prep areas, so cross-contact is possible. See the full Olive Garden allergen menu.
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Fried Mozzarella Price by State
Olive Garden prices differ by market. The typical price of $9.29 is the most common one across the states below; California, New York and Alaska run highest.
| State | Price | vs typical |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $9.29 | — |
| Alaska | $11.49 | +$2.20 |
| Arizona | $10.29 | +$1.00 |
| Arkansas | $8.79 | −$0.50 |
| California | $10.49 | +$1.20 |
| Colorado | $9.79 | +$0.50 |
| Connecticut | $9.79 | +$0.50 |
| Delaware | $9.29 | — |
| Florida | $9.79 | +$0.50 |
| Georgia | $8.79 | −$0.50 |
| Idaho | $9.29 | — |
| Illinois | $10.29 | +$1.00 |
| Indiana | $9.29 | — |
| Iowa | $9.29 | — |
| Kansas | $9.29 | — |
| Kentucky | $9.29 | — |
| Louisiana | $8.79 | −$0.50 |
| Maine | $10.29 | +$1.00 |
| Maryland | $9.29 | — |
| Massachusetts | $10.29 | +$1.00 |
| Michigan | $8.79 | −$0.50 |
| Minnesota | $10.29 | +$1.00 |
| Mississippi | $8.79 | −$0.50 |
| Missouri | $8.79 | −$0.50 |
| Montana | $9.79 | +$0.50 |
| Nebraska | $8.79 | −$0.50 |
| Nevada | $10.29 | +$1.00 |
| New Hampshire | $9.29 | — |
| New Jersey | $9.29 | — |
| New Mexico | $8.79 | −$0.50 |
| New York | $10.29 | +$1.00 |
| North Carolina | $8.79 | −$0.50 |
| North Dakota | $9.79 | +$0.50 |
| Ohio | $9.29 | — |
| Oklahoma | $9.29 | — |
| Oregon | $10.49 | +$1.20 |
| Pennsylvania | $9.29 | — |
| Rhode Island | $9.79 | +$0.50 |
| South Carolina | $9.29 | — |
| South Dakota | $8.79 | −$0.50 |
| Tennessee | $9.29 | — |
| Texas | $9.29 | — |
| Utah | $9.29 | — |
| Vermont | $9.29 | — |
| Virginia | $9.29 | — |
| Washington | $10.49 | +$1.20 |
| West Virginia | $9.29 | — |
| Wisconsin | $9.29 | — |
| Wyoming | $9.29 | — |
Common Questions
How much is fried mozzarella at Olive Garden?
Fried mozzarella is $9.29 at the typical US price, with California and New York locations charging a dollar or two more. The price is the same at lunch and dinner.
How many calories are in Olive Garden fried mozzarella?
A full order has 800 calories, 49 g of fat, 57 g of carbohydrates, 33 g of protein and 1,990 mg of sodium. The marinara is included in that count.
How many pieces come in the fried mozzarella appetizer?
Orders come with six planks of breaded mozzarella cut thick, not thin sticks, plus a ramekin of marinara. It comfortably serves two to four as a starter.
Is fried mozzarella gluten free?
No. The breading is wheat based and the item is fried in a shared fryer. The gluten sensitive menu has no fried appetizers.
Can I get fried mozzarella to go?
Yes, it is on the ToGo and delivery menu. It travels better than most fried items if the marinara stays in its own container.