Description
Crispy, golden mozzarella cheese sticks coated in seasoned bread crumbs and fried to perfection. These cheesy appetizers are perfect for parties or a delicious snack, featuring a crunchy exterior and gooey, melted mozzarella center.
Ingredients
Scale
Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
- 16 oz low moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese block
Coating Mixture
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
For Frying
- 2 cups oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil recommended)
Instructions
- Prepare Dry and Wet Mixtures: In the first bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and garlic salt thoroughly. In the second bowl, beat the eggs with a fork until mixed well. In the third bowl, pour in the Italian seasoned bread crumbs.
- Cut Cheese Sticks: Slice the 16 oz mozzarella block into 20-24 sticks, each just under 1/2 inch thick and about 3 inches long to ensure even cooking and ease of handling.
- First Coating: Dredge each cheese stick in the flour mixture, then tap off excess. Dip it into the beaten eggs, coating completely, and let excess egg drip back into the bowl. Repeat the flour and egg coating once more to create a sturdy layer.
- Bread Crumb Coating and Freeze: Roll the double-coated cheese sticks in the bread crumbs, turning them until evenly coated on all sides. Arrange them on a platter, cover loosely, and freeze for 45 minutes to firm up the coating. This step prevents cheese from melting too quickly during frying.
- Heat Oil: Pour oil into a deep pan or skillet and heat over medium heat until it reaches 350°F as measured by a thermometer. You can test readiness by dropping a pinch of bread crumbs into the oil—they should sizzle and bubble immediately.
- Fry the Cheese Sticks: Fry the cheese sticks in small batches of 4, cooking each side for 60-90 seconds, turning halfway until the coating turns golden brown and crisp. Remove immediately once you notice any cheese starting to ooze out. Make sure the oil reheats to 350°F between batches to maintain proper frying temperature.
- Drain and Serve: Transfer the fried mozzarella sticks to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. Serve hot with your choice of marinara sauce or dip of preference.
Notes
- Freezing after breading is crucial to prevent melting and leaking cheese during frying.
- Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for even, crisp frying without greasy results.
- Use low moisture mozzarella for a better melt and less water content.
- For a lighter version, baking with cooking spray can be attempted but will result in less crispiness.