Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
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Mozzarella Cheese Sticks may take a little bit of time, and can be messy, but believe me, these cheese sticks will rival any you’ve eaten at a restaurant. The breaded crust is seasoned to perfection, and then you bite into the melted ooey-gooey cheesy yumminess. Ahhhh. Your taste buds are in heaven. So good!
The last time I made this recipe, I had my granddaughter (who is 7) help me. Having that extra hand to work through the breading steps was incredibly helpful! So, I encourage you to have a friend or family member help you, too. It makes the process go more quickly, and is less messy.
Ingredients Needed to Make Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
- large eggs (2 of them)
- water
- Italian-style bread crumbs
- all-purpose flour
- cornstarch
- garlic salt
- seasoned salt
- peanut oil for frying
- mozzarella cheese sticks (I like Sargento brand. Do not buy reduced fat for this recipe.)
Instructions
In a medium bowl, combine eggs and water, whisking until frothy.
On a large plate, pour out the bread crumbs. On a second plate, mix together flour, cornstarch, garlic salt, and seasoned salt.
Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
Steps for Breading the Cheese Sticks
- Coat cheese sticks in flour mixture.
- Dip cheese sticks in egg mixture to cover.
- Coat cheese sticks a second time in flour mixture, making sure cheese is covered completely.
- Dip once more in egg mixture.
- Coat in bread crumbs, covering completely, and pressing in with fingers. (At this time, your fingers may get really messy. That’s okay. Just rinse them off and continue on.)
Having an Extra Hand is Helpful
Working through these steps is where my granddaughter was a big help. She was in charge of coating the cheese sticks in the bread crumbs. So, I did steps 1-4, using one hand for the flour, and one for the egg wash.
Then I’d place the gooey cheese sticks on the plate of bread crumbs for her to cover. She used a spoon and managed to get through the process with very little mess.
Set the breaded cheese sticks on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with all cheese sticks.
Place the baking sheet in your freezer for 20 minutes. After twenty minutes, you may opt to place the cheese sticks in a freezer bag for using later. The cheese sticks will keep in your freezer for 2-3 months.
When ready to cook, heat a Dutch oven with enough oil to fill 5-6 inches deep. Deep fry cheese sticks 3-4 at a time, cooking for 30-40 seconds until deep golden brown at 350-365 degrees. (Remove if cheese starts to splatter in oil.) Be sure to bring oil back to desired temperature between batches.
You may keep the cheese sticks warm at a low temperature in your oven until ready to serve. Serve warm with your favorite Mariana Sauce. This recipe makes 12 sticks.
Wine Recommendation: Kendall-Jackson Vitner’s Reserve Chardonnay 2018
Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups Italian-style bread crumbs
- 2/3 cup flour
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- peanut oil for frying
- 16 oz Mozzarella cheese sticks 12 sticks
Instructions
- In medium bowl, combine eggs and water, whisking until frothy.
- On a large plate, pour out the bread crumbs. On a second plate, mix together flour, cornstarch, garlic salt, and seasoned salt.
- Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Prepare cheese sticks in the following 5 steps:
- Coat cheese sticks in flour mixture.
- Dip in egg mixture to cover.
- Coat again in flour mixture, making sure cheese is covered completely.
- Dip a second time in egg mixture.
- Coat in bread crumbs, covering completely, and pressing in with fingers. (At this time, your fingers may get really messy. That's okay. Just rinse them off and continue on.)
- Set breaded cheese sticks on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with all cheese sticks. Place baking sheet in freezer for 20 minutes.
- Add oil to Dutch oven and heat over medium-high heat until temperature reaches 350-365 degrees. Deep fry cheese sticks 2-3 at a time, cooking for 30-40 seconds until deep golden brown. (Remove if cheese starts to splatter in oil.) Be sure to bring oil back to desired temperature between batches.
- You may place the cheese sticks in a warm oven until ready to serve. Serve warm with your favorite Mariana Sauce. Makes 12 sticks.