Description
Classic Fried Mozzarella Cheese Sticks feature gooey melted mozzarella with a crispy double-coated breading, perfect as a quick appetizer or snack. This recipe includes dipping the cheese sticks in flour, egg wash, and Italian seasoned breadcrumbs before deep frying to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Breading Mixture
- 1.5 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic salt
- 0.66666668653488 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.33333334326744 cup cornstarch
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 0.25 cup water
Main Ingredients
- 1 (16 ounce) package mozzarella cheese sticks
- 2 cups oil for frying, or as needed
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Collect all necessary ingredients and prepare your workstation with separate bowls for flour mixture, egg wash, and breadcrumb mixture.
- Prepare Coatings: In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and water to form the egg wash. In a medium bowl, combine the seasoned bread crumbs and garlic salt. In a separate bowl, mix the all-purpose flour and cornstarch thoroughly.
- Heat Oil: Heat oil in a deep fryer or large, heavy saucepan to 365 degrees Fahrenheit (185 degrees Celsius). Use a thermometer to ensure accurate temperature for proper frying.
- Coat Mozzarella Sticks: Dredge each mozzarella stick first in the flour-cornstarch mixture, shaking off excess. Dip into the egg wash letting excess drip off. Press into the breadcrumb mixture to coat. Repeat the egg wash and breadcrumb coating once more for a double breaded layer. Place coated sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Freeze to Set: Place the breaded mozzarella sticks in the freezer for about 45 minutes until firm. This helps the coating set and prevents cheese from melting too quickly during frying.
- Fry Sticks: Working in small batches, carefully lower 3 to 4 frozen mozzarella sticks into the hot oil using tongs or a spider spoon. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes, turning occasionally to achieve an even golden brown crust. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain oil temperature.
- Drain and Serve: Remove fried sticks with tongs and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy crispy, gooey mozzarella sticks.
Notes
- For best results, double coat the sticks to ensure a crispy crust that holds the cheese inside during frying.
- Freezing the breaded sticks is crucial to prevent the cheese from oozing out when frying.
- Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature at 365°F for even frying without burning the coating.
- Serve with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce for extra flavor.
- You can substitute Italian seasoned bread crumbs with plain breadcrumbs plus Italian seasoning blend if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 789 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 806 mg
- Fat: 67 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 83 mg
