Description
Crispy golden mozzarella sticks deliver a classic Italian-American appetizer with irresistible cheese pull. Gooey melted mozzarella encased in crunchy seasoned breadcrumbs will delight you with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) milk
- 0.33 cup (79 ml) all-purpose flour
- 0.75 cup (177 ml) plain panko bread crumbs
- 0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) dried basil
- 0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) dried oregano
- 0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) dried parsley
- 0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) dried thyme
- 0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) garlic powder
- 0.125 tsp (0.6 ml) salt
- 0.125 tsp (0.6 ml) ground black pepper
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Prep Coating Stations: Arrange three shallow dishes – first with seasoned flour, second with egg-milk mixture, third with herbed breadcrumbs and Parmesan.
- Coat Cheese: Roll mozzarella sticks through flour, dip in egg wash, then thoroughly cover with breadcrumb mixture, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
- Chill Preparation: Place breaded mozzarella sticks on parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 45-60 minutes to solidify coating and prevent cheese leakage during frying.
- Heat Oil: Fill heavy-bottomed pan with vegetable oil, warming to precise 350°F, monitoring temperature with cooking thermometer for optimal frying conditions.
- Fry Mozzarella: Gently lower frozen cheese sticks into hot oil, cooking 3-4 pieces simultaneously, rotating periodically until achieving rich golden-brown exterior, roughly 1.5-2 minutes per batch.
- Drain and Serve: Extract fried mozzarella sticks using slotted spoon, allowing excess oil to drip on wire rack, then plate immediately with warm marinara sauce and optional fresh parsley garnish.
Notes
- Freezing Technique: Chilling the mozzarella sticks before frying is crucial for preventing cheese leakage and creating a crispy, golden exterior that holds together perfectly during cooking.
- Oil Temperature Precision: Maintaining exactly 350°F is critical for achieving the ideal golden-brown crust without burning the coating or leaving the cheese cold in the center.
- Coating Layering Strategy: Double-dipping in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs creates a thick, protective shell that seals in the cheese and provides maximum crunch and flavor.
- Frying Best Practice: Cook in small batches to ensure consistent oil temperature and prevent overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking and greasy results.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg