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Mozzarella in carrozza

Carrozza

Mozzarella cheese sandwich coated in egg and fried until crisp

Photo: Catia Giaccherini, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Carrozza is a fried mozzarella sandwich from Italy, especially popular in Campania. Slices of bread are filled with mozzarella, dipped in egg and flour, and fried in olive oil until golden. Sometimes other fillings like ham or anchovies are added. It is served hot, often as an antipasto or street snack.

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  • Carrozza is a fried mozzarella sandwich from Italy.
  • Buffalo mozzarella is often used in Campania.
  • It is popular as street food and in Italian-American restaurants.
  • Variations include mozzarella fritta and eggplant carrozza.

What is Carrozza?

Carrozza is a fried cheese sandwich from Italy, mainly made with mozzarella and slices of bread. The sandwich is dipped in egg and flour, sometimes also coated in breadcrumbs, and fried in olive oil. The result is a crisp, golden outside with melted cheese inside. Buffalo mozzarella is often used in Campania, giving a rich, milky flavor. The sandwich may include extra fillings like ham, anchovies, eggplant, green tomato, or basil, but mozzarella is always the main ingredient.

Where does Carrozza come from?

Carrozza comes from Italy, with strong ties to the Campania region in the south. Its name means 'mozzarella in a carriage,' referring to the cheese encased in bread. The dish has become popular in Italian-American communities, especially in New York City, where it is commonly served in restaurants. Its roots are in Italian street food, where simple ingredients are transformed into something satisfying and portable.

How is Carrozza made?

To make carrozza, slices of bread are filled with mozzarella, sometimes with added ham or vegetables. The sandwich is dipped in an egg wash, dredged in flour, and may be rolled in breadcrumbs. It is then fried in olive oil, either pan-fried or deep-fried, until the outside is crisp and golden. The bread crust can be removed or left on, and the bread may be lightly toasted before assembly. The sandwich is cut and served hot, with the cheese soft and gooey inside.

Fritto di mozzarella, a fried cheese dish
Fritto di mozzarella, a fried cheese dish. Photo: Franzconde, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How and when is Carrozza eaten?

Carrozza is eaten hot, often as a snack or antipasto (starter) before a meal. In Campania, it is a common street food, enjoyed on the go or at casual gatherings. In New York City, it is found in Italian-American restaurants, usually deep-fried and served as an appetizer. The sandwich is sometimes paired with other small dishes or enjoyed on its own, making it a flexible choice for informal eating.

Kinds of Carrozza

One variation, mozzarella fritta, skips the bread and simply batters and fries slices of mozzarella cheese. Another version replaces the bread with slices of eggplant, creating a different texture and flavor. Fillings like ham, anchovies, or vegetables can be added for variety. The basic method of coating and frying remains the same, but the ingredients may change to suit local tastes or available produce.

What Carrozza means

Carrozza is part of everyday eating in Campania and has become a recognizable Italian street food. Its presence in New York City reflects the influence of Italian immigrants and the adaptation of traditional foods in new settings. The dish is valued for its simplicity and comfort, bringing together familiar ingredients in a satisfying way. It is not tied to any particular festival or religious occasion, but is enjoyed as a treat or snack.

Questions people ask about Carrozza

What is carrozza made of?

Carrozza is made with mozzarella cheese sandwiched between slices of bread, dipped in egg and flour, and fried in olive oil. Sometimes, other fillings like ham, anchovies, or vegetables are added.

Where does carrozza come from?

Carrozza comes from Italy, especially the Campania region in the south. It is also popular in Italian-American communities, particularly in New York City.

How is carrozza served?

Carrozza is served hot, usually as a snack or antipasto. It is enjoyed as street food in Campania and as an appetizer in Italian-American restaurants.

Are there variations of carrozza?

Yes, variations include mozzarella fritta, which is fried cheese without bread, and versions using eggplant instead of bread. Other fillings like ham or anchovies can also be added.

Is carrozza vegetarian?

The basic carrozza, made with mozzarella, bread, egg, and flour, is vegetarian. However, some versions may include meat or fish such as ham or anchovies.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Carrozza (sandwich)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

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