Description
Crispy homemade mozzarella sticks coated in seasoned panko breadcrumbs and fried to golden perfection, served hot with a tangy marinara dipping sauce. This classic appetizer is easy to prepare and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Wet Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 quart vegetable oil (for frying)
Cheese
- 12 ounces low moisture mozzarella cheese, cut into pieces 3-inch x ¾ inch (or 12 oz string cheese cut in half)
Serving
- Homemade marinara sauce, for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside to place coated cheese sticks on later.
- Mix Dry Coating: In a small shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, mixing well to distribute the seasoning evenly.
- Prepare Egg Wash: In a second bowl, beat the eggs together with 1 tablespoon of water until smooth and well combined; this will help the coating adhere to the cheese.
- Season Panko: In a third bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the Italian seasoning thoroughly.
- Coat the Cheese Sticks: Working with one cheese piece at a time, dip it first into the egg wash, then into the flour mixture, back into the egg wash, and finally into the seasoned panko. Gently press the panko onto all sides of the cheese stick to ensure a good coating. Place the coated sticks onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat this process for all the cheese pieces.
- Freeze the Coated Cheese: Place the baking sheet with the coated cheese sticks in the freezer and freeze them for 45 minutes. This step prevents the cheese from melting too quickly while frying.
- Heat Oil: In a large pot or deep fryer, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F, using a deep-fat thermometer to monitor the temperature for safe frying.
- Fry the Cheese Sticks: Remove the cheese sticks from the freezer. Working in small batches, carefully drop them into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown on all sides, about 2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the sticks, and place them on a metal cooling rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil. Repeat with remaining sticks.
- Serve: Serve the mozzarella sticks immediately while hot and crispy with homemade marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Freezing the coated cheese sticks before frying is essential to prevent the cheese from leaking out during frying.
- Maintain the oil temperature at 350°F to ensure even cooking and prevent sogginess.
- You can substitute low moisture mozzarella with string cheese cut in half, but low moisture mozzarella is preferred for better melting consistency.
- Serve immediately for best texture; mozzarella sticks tend to lose crispiness as they cool.
- To keep fried sticks warm while frying batches, place them on a rack in a low oven (around 200°F).
