Description
Crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, these fried mozzarella cheese sticks are a classic appetizer perfect for any occasion. Breaded with Italian seasoned crumbs and double coated for maximum crunch, then quickly deep-fried to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Coating Mixtures
- 0.6667 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.3333 cup cornstarch
- 1.5 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic salt
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 the ingredients needed for the recipe to ensure a smooth cooking process without interruptions.
- Prepare Coating Mixtures. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and water until combined. In a medium bowl, mix the Italian seasoned bread crumbs and garlic salt thoroughly. In a third bowl, blend the all-purpose flour and cornstarch.
- Heat Oil. Heat 2 cups of oil in a deep fryer or large, heavy saucepan to 365 degrees Fahrenheit (185 degrees Celsius), ensuring it reaches the proper frying temperature for crispy exterior.
- Coat Cheese Sticks. Dredge each mozzarella stick first in the flour and cornstarch mixture, shaking off the excess. Then dip it into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip back into the bowl. Press the stick into the bread crumbs to coat it evenly. Repeat the egg dip and bread crumb coating to create a double layer for extra crispiness. Place the coated sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Freeze for Firmness. Freeze the breaded mozzarella sticks for about 45 minutes until firm. This step helps the coating set properly and prevents the cheese from oozing out during frying.
- Fry Cheese Sticks. Working in batches, carefully lower 3 to 4 frozen mozzarella sticks into the hot oil using tongs or a spider spoon. Fry them until they turn golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes, turning occasionally for an even color. Avoid overcrowding to maintain consistent oil temperature.
- Drain Excess Oil. Remove the fried mozzarella sticks from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain off excess oil, keeping them crispy.
- Serve and Enjoy. Serve the fried mozzarella sticks hot for the best gooey and crispy experience.
Notes
- Freezing the coated mozzarella sticks before frying is crucial for preventing cheese from melting out and to ensure a crispy crust.
- Use a deep-frying thermometer to maintain the oil temperature at 365°F for best frying results.
- You can substitute Italian seasoned bread crumbs with plain bread crumbs mixed with Italian herbs if preferred.
- Drain on paper towels after frying to avoid soggy cheese sticks.
- Serve with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce for added flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 789 kcal
- Sugar: 2 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
