Description
Crispy, golden-brown mozzarella cheese sticks coated with seasoned bread crumbs and fried to perfection. This classic appetizer features gooey melted mozzarella inside a crunchy exterior, perfect for dipping and sharing.
Ingredients
Cheese
- 16 oz low moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese block
Coating Mix
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic salt
Egg Wash
- 3 large eggs
Breading
- 1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
Frying
- Cooking spray for baking or 2 cups oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil recommended)
Instructions
- Prepare Coating Bowls: In the first bowl, combine flour and garlic salt thoroughly. In the second bowl, beat the eggs with a fork until well mixed. In the third bowl, place the Italian seasoned bread crumbs ready for coating.
- Cut Cheese: Slice the mozzarella block into 20-24 sticks, each just under 1/2 inch thick and about 3 inches long, ensuring uniform size for even cooking.
- Double Dredge Cheese Sticks: Coat each cheese stick first in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip into beaten eggs until completely coated, letting excess egg drip back. Repeat by dipping once again in the flour followed by another egg dip to create a strong base for the breadcrumbs.
- Breadcrumb Coating: Roll each doubly dipped cheese stick in Italian seasoned bread crumbs, turning to cover all sides evenly. Place coated sticks on a platter, cover them, and freeze for 45 minutes to help the coating adhere and prevent melting too quickly in the oil.
- Heat Oil: Preheat oil in a deep pan or fryer over medium heat to 350°F, verified with a thermometer. Drop a pinch of bread crumbs in; they should immediately sizzle, indicating the correct temperature for frying.
- Fry Cheese Sticks: Fry the cheese sticks in small batches of 4 at a time, cooking each side for 60 to 90 seconds. Turn halfway through to ensure golden brown, crisp coating. Remove immediately once the exterior is golden and crispy or if cheese begins to ooze out to prevent breaks.
- Drain Excess Oil: Transfer the fried mozzarella sticks to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Freezing the cheese sticks before frying is crucial to prevent the cheese from melting too quickly and leaking out.
- Use medium heat to maintain the oil temperature at 350°F for a perfectly crispy exterior without burning.
- Cooking in small batches prevents overcrowding and allows the oil temperature to stay consistent.
- For a healthier option, you can bake the cheese sticks sprayed lightly with cooking spray at 400°F for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway.
