Description
Fried mozzarella sticks deliver that satisfying crunch followed by a stretch of melted cheese. They’re a guaranteed hit whenever snacks are needed fast.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 Mozzarella string cheese sticks
- ½ cup Flour
- ½ cup Breadcrumbs
Binding and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 Egg
- 2 tablespoons Milk
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan grated
- ½ teaspoon Basil
- ½ teaspoon Oregano
- ½ teaspoon Thyme
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Cooking and Serving Ingredients:
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Marinara sauce
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Marinara Sauce Ingredients:
- 6 Crushed tomatoes
- 2 Cloves garlic chopped
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Oregano
- ½ teaspoon Basil
- Salt to taste
- Pinch of red pepper
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for cheese stick assembly.
- Combine ½ cup flour, salt, and pepper in one shallow bowl. Whisk 1 egg and 2 tbsp milk in a separate bowl.
- Mix ½ cup breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp parmesan, ½ tsp herbs, and red pepper flakes in another bowl.
- Coat each mozzarella stick by first rolling in seasoned flour, then dipping in egg mixture, and finally covering completely with herbed breadcrumbs.
- Arrange coated cheese sticks gently on prepared parchment sheet, ensuring they do not touch each other.
- Freeze the breaded cheese sticks for 1-2 hours to help breading adhere during frying.
- Pour vegetable oil into a skillet, filling about 2 inches deep, and heat to 350°F.
- Carefully lower 3-4 frozen cheese sticks into hot oil, frying for 1-2 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove fried cheese sticks with a slotted spoon, placing them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Sprinkle with sea salt and serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.
- For marinara, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat and sauté 2 minced garlic cloves for 1-2 minutes.
- Add 6 oz crushed tomatoes, ½ tsp oregano, basil, salt, and red pepper flakes to the pan.
- Simmer sauce for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and flavors meld.
Notes
- Freezing the cheese sticks before frying helps them hold their shape and prevents the cheese from leaking out during cooking.
- Use fresh breadcrumbs for a crispier coating that adheres better to the cheese sticks.
- Test the oil temperature with a small piece of breadcrumb – it should sizzle immediately but not burn when dropped in.
- Drain the fried cheese sticks on a wire rack or paper towels to keep them crispy and remove excess oil.
- Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-17 minutes
- Category: Fried
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg