Frederic Melton
Cheese sticks are a delicious snack or appetizer that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including frying, baking, or air-frying. They are typically made with mozzarella cheese, which is coated in a breading or pastry dough and then cooked until golden brown and crispy. The cooking method and temperature can vary depending on personal preference and the desired level of crispness. Cheese sticks can also be served with dipping sauces such as marinara sauce or ranch dressing. While they can be purchased frozen from stores, making homemade cheese sticks allows for customization and a fresher taste.
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What You'll Learn
Frying cheese sticks
Fried cheese sticks are a delicious snack and a great appetizer. They are easy to make and can be prepared in advance and stored for later. The classic way to serve them is with a marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.
Ingredients
- Cheese: Mozzarella is the most commonly used cheese, but you can also use cheddar, or another soft or semi-soft cheese that melts well.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs are recommended for a crispy texture, but regular breadcrumbs will also work.
- Seasoning: Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper are all good options.
- Oil: Use an oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil or canola oil.
- Other: You will also need eggs, flour, and possibly buttermilk.
Method
- Prepare three separate bowls for dredging the cheese sticks: one with beaten eggs, flour, and seasoning; another with buttermilk (optional); and a third with breadcrumbs.
- Dip the cheese sticks into the egg mixture, then the flour, then back into the egg, and finally into the breadcrumbs. Ensure that each cheese stick is evenly coated.
- Place the coated cheese sticks on a wire rack or baking sheet and put them in the freezer for at least an hour.
- Heat oil in a deep fryer, large saucepan, or skillet to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Fry the cheese sticks in batches of two or a few at a time, being careful not to overcrowd the pan.
- Fry until the coating is golden brown and crisp, which should take around 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
- Remove the cheese sticks from the oil with tongs and place them on a paper towel-lined plate or sheet pan to absorb excess oil and allow them to cool slightly.
- Serve immediately with your choice of dipping sauce.
Tips
- Watch the cheese sticks carefully while frying, as they can burn or melt quickly.
- For a healthier alternative, bake the cheese sticks in the oven at 400 degrees F for 9-12 minutes, or until crispy and melted.
- For an even crispier texture, twist the cheese sticks before coating and frying.
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Breading and coating
Preparing the Cheese:
Start by freezing your cheese sticks. This is an important step to prevent the cheese from melting too quickly and leaking out during cooking. Cut your cheese blocks into smaller sticks or halves, as they will expand during the breading and cooking process. Freeze the cheese sticks for at least 2 hours or until they are completely frozen.
Preparing the Breading Station:
Set up three separate bowls for dredging. In the first bowl, whisk together eggs with a small amount of water and a pinch of salt. You can also add a touch of olive oil to this mixture. The second bowl should contain plain flour or a mixture of flour and cornstarch. The third bowl will hold the bread crumbs. You can use Italian-style or plain bread crumbs. If using plain bread crumbs, consider adding seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or Italian seasoning. For an extra crispy shell, you may also want to prepare a second set of bowls with the same ingredients for a double or triple coating.
Dredging and Coating:
Take each cheese stick and dip it into the flour or flour-cornstarch mixture, making sure to shake off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat the cheese stick thoroughly with the bread crumbs, ensuring it is evenly coated. You can press the bread crumbs gently onto the cheese stick to ensure an even coating. Place the coated cheese stick on a wire rack or tray. Repeat this process for all cheese sticks. For an extra crispy shell and to prevent cheese leakage, repeat the dredging process a second or third time.
Freezing the Coated Cheese Sticks:
Once all the cheese sticks are coated, place them in the freezer for at least one hour or up to two hours. This step helps to firm up the coating and prevents the cheese from melting too quickly during frying. If chilling for longer than an hour, transfer the cheese sticks to an airtight container and store them in the freezer until you are ready to fry them.
Frying the Cheese Sticks:
Heat your oil of choice in a heavy saucepan or deep fryer to a temperature of 350°F to 365°F (175°C-185°C). You can use a thermometer to monitor the oil temperature. Carefully place the breaded cheese sticks into the hot oil, frying 2-4 sticks at a time to avoid overcrowding. Fry the cheese sticks for about 30 seconds to 2 minutes, or until they turn golden brown. Remove them from the oil and drain any excess oil on paper towels. Serve immediately while still hot and crispy!
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Using the right cheese
Cheese sticks are typically made with mozzarella, but you can use any cheese that melts. Cheddar, Parmesan, and Halloumi are all popular alternatives. Mozzarella sticks are usually made with a block of mozzarella, as cheese strings will not melt as quickly and may leak out of the coating during cooking, causing hot oil to splatter.
If you are using mozzarella, it is important to fully coat the cheese sticks in a flour/cornstarch mixture, egg, and breadcrumbs before frying. This will help to prevent the cheese from leaking out. It is also important to chill the coated cheese sticks in the freezer for at least one hour before frying.
When frying cheese sticks, it is best to use small batches and fry for only 2 minutes or until browned. Do not overcook, as this can cause the cheese to leak out. The best oil temperature for frying cheese sticks is 350°F (175°C).
If you are looking for a healthier alternative to frying, you can bake or air-fry cheese sticks. However, be aware that some cheese may leak out during cooking. To bake cheese sticks, preheat the oven to 400°F and bake for 9-11 minutes or until the crumbs are crisp and the cheese is melted. For an air fryer, preheat to 400°F and cook in small batches for 4-6 minutes.
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$34
Reheating cheese sticks
Homemade cheese sticks are a delicious snack, but reheating them can be tricky. If you're not careful, you might end up with a cheesy mess. Here are some tips and instructions for reheating cheese sticks to ensure you get that perfect, gooey texture without any sogginess.
Firstly, it's important to note that you should always reheat cheese sticks from a refrigerated or frozen state. Leaving them at room temperature will result in soggy breading. If your cheese sticks are frozen, it's recommended to freeze them in a single layer to prevent them from sticking together. When you're ready to reheat, preheat your oven, air fryer, or pan to the desired temperature before adding the cheese sticks.
For refrigerated cheese sticks, place them in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes, or until heated through. You can also use a toaster oven or an air fryer set to the same temperature for 4-6 minutes. If you're using a stovetop, add enough oil to lightly coat the bottom of a skillet and heat it over medium heat. Place the cheese sticks in a single layer and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until browned and crispy.
Reheating frozen cheese sticks requires a higher temperature. Place them in an oven preheated to 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also use an air fryer, but it's recommended to reduce the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 4-6 minutes.
No matter which method you choose, it's important to keep a close eye on your cheese sticks to prevent overcooking. The goal is to heat them just long enough for the cheese to melt and the breading to crisp up. Always remove them from the heat as soon as the cheese is fully melted. Additionally, flipping or shaking the cheese sticks halfway through the reheating process will ensure even cooking.
With these tips in mind, you'll be able to enjoy warm, gooey cheese sticks with a crispy exterior, just like they're freshly made!
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Dipping sauces
Cheese sticks are often served with a marinara dipping sauce. However, there are several other sauces that you can pair with cheese sticks.
One option is to make a homemade garlic aioli by mixing mayo, olive oil, an herb of your choice, lemon, and either roasted garlic or garlic powder. If you're looking for something spicy, Frank's Buffalo Wing hot sauce is a good choice. Alternatively, you could make a tangy BBQ sauce or go for honey mustard.
If you're a fan of pesto, you can whip some up at home by blending fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, and olive oil. For something saltier, you can try a whipped feta dip with herbs like dill or thyme. Beer cheese is another savoury option that typically includes ingredients like Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and dark beer.
For those with a sweet tooth, hot honey is a great choice. The sweetness of the honey pairs well with the creamy and gooey cheese, while the piquant notes of chilli add a nice contrast. If you're looking for a more conventional sweet option, raspberry or blackberry sauce can also be a good choice.
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Frequently asked questions
Preheat your air fryer to 360°F-400°F. Arrange the cheese sticks in a single layer in the basket and air fry for 4-7 minutes, turning halfway. Work in batches if needed to ensure that the hot air can circulate.
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Arrange the frozen cheese sticks in a single layer on a baking sheet and place on the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
Cut mozzarella into sticks just under 1/2" thick and about 3" long. Dredge the cheese stick in flour, tapping off the excess, then dip in beaten egg, and finally in breadcrumbs. Freeze for at least an hour. Heat oil to 350°F. Fry the cheese sticks in small batches for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown.
Frying cheese sticks in oil will give you the best results and a crunchy exterior. However, you can also bake them in the oven or cook them in an air fryer.
