Bushra Griffith
Cheese sticks are a delicious snack that can be made at home with a few simple ingredients. They are made by coating sticks of cheese with a variety of breading and cooking them in an oven, air fryer, or deep fryer. The cheese is typically mozzarella, but other types of cheese can be used as well. The breading usually consists of flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs, but there are many variations that include different spices and types of cheese. The key to making good cheese sticks is to ensure that the cheese is fully coated so that it does not leak out during cooking.
How are cheese sticks made?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Mozzarella cheese ?(block or string), flour, breadcrumbs, eggs, cooking spray, vegetable oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, coconut oil/butter |
| Preparation | Cut cheese into sticks, dredge in flour, dip in beaten egg, coat with breadcrumbs, freeze, bake/fry/air fry |
| Cooking Method | Baked, fried, or air-fried |
| Cooking Time | 9-11 minutes in the oven, 4-6 minutes in an air fryer, or 2 minutes in hot oil |
| Cooking Temperature | 400°F in the oven or air fryer, hot oil for frying |
| Serving Suggestions | Marinara sauce, ranch dressing |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cheese
Mozzarella cheese, specifically whole milk mozzarella, is the most commonly used cheese for making cheese sticks due to its mild flavour and excellent meltability. It is available in blocks or as string cheese, which can be easily cut into sticks. String cheese is a convenient option as it melts differently and can help prevent the cheese from leaking out during cooking. However, some people prefer using blocks of mozzarella as they yield more sticks and have a better flavour.
If you opt for block mozzarella, you will need to cut it into sticks before proceeding with the recipe. This involves cutting the cheese into uniform pieces, typically around 3 inches in length and 3/4 inch in width. This step is crucial for ensuring even cooking and a consistent texture.
For those who want to explore different cheese options, low-moisture mozzarella is a suitable alternative. It has a slightly drier texture, which can affect the overall taste and appearance of the cheese sticks. Additionally, other types of cheese, such as Parmigiano-Reggiano, can be used to add a unique flavour to your cheese sticks. This cheese is typically sprinkled on top of the sticks to enhance their taste.
Ultimately, the choice of cheese depends on your personal preference and the specific recipe you are following. However, keep in mind that using a cheese with good meltability and a mild flavour, like mozzarella, will give you the classic cheese stick experience.
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Preparing the coating
First, you'll need to gather your ingredients. For the coating, you'll need flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, and seasonings of your choice. Common seasonings used in cheese sticks include salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. You may also want to add some grated Parmesan cheese to your breadcrumb mixture for a nutty flavour.
Once you have your ingredients, it's time to set up your dredging station. This is a simple process: just grab three bowls and line them up. In the first bowl, you'll want to place your flour and any dry seasonings you're using. The second bowl should be filled with beaten eggs. You can thin the eggs with a bit of water if you like. The third and final bowl should contain your breadcrumbs and any other seasonings you're using.
Now it's time to start coating your cheese sticks. Take one piece of cheese at a time and dip it into the flour, making sure to coat it well. Then, dip it into the egg mixture. This step may take a few tries to get an even coat. Finally, dip the cheese into the breadcrumb mixture, making sure to thoroughly coat it.
Once all of your cheese sticks are coated, it's important to place them in the freezer for at least an hour before cooking. This will help the cheese sticks hold their shape and prevent the cheese from melting and leaking out during the cooking process.
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Shaping the sticks
Once you have your cheese sticks, it's time to prepare the dredging components. Set up a station with three bowls. In the first bowl, you'll need flour, and you can add seasonings like salt, pepper, and garlic powder if desired. The second bowl should contain beaten eggs, and you can thin this mixture with a small amount of water if needed. The third bowl will contain the breadcrumbs. You can use a combination of regular and panko breadcrumbs, and adding Italian seasoning to this mixture will enhance the flavour.
Now, it's time to coat your cheese sticks. Start by dipping a cheese stick into the flour, making sure it's well coated. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, followed by the breadcrumb mixture. Ensure that the cheese stick is thoroughly coated at each step. Repeat this process, dipping the cheese stick back into the egg mixture and then the breadcrumbs again, for a double coating. This double dredging helps ensure that the cheese won't leak out during cooking.
After coating, place the cheese sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. It's important to flash-freeze the coated cheese sticks before cooking. Freezing helps the cheese sticks hold their shape and prevents the cheese from melting too quickly and leaking out. Once frozen, you can transfer the cheese sticks to an airtight container and store them in the freezer until you're ready to cook them.
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Cooking methods
Cheese sticks can be made in an oven, air fryer, or by frying.
Oven
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Place the cheese sticks on the sheet and bake for 9-11 minutes, or until browned and crisp. Flip the sticks halfway through for even browning.
Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Place the cheese sticks in the air fryer in small batches and cook for 4-6 minutes, or until browned and crisp.
Frying
Use a neutral cooking oil such as vegetable, canola, corn, or peanut oil. Heat the oil in a deep fryer or a pot on the stove. Fry the cheese sticks two at a time for about 2 minutes, or until browned and crisp. Do not overcook, as the cheese will leak out.
Regardless of the cooking method, it is important to freeze the cheese sticks before cooking. This helps the cheese sticks hold their shape and prevents the cheese from melting and leaking out. Additionally, make sure the cheese sticks are fully coated before cooking to avoid the cheese from leaking out.
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Serving suggestions
Mozzarella cheese sticks are best served warm with a side of marinara sauce for dipping. You can also serve them with warm pasta sauce. If you're feeling adventurous, you can dip them in ranch dressing or experiment with dried herbs and spices, such as curry powder or smoked paprika.
If you're making twisted cheese sticks, you can sprinkle Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese over the sticks before baking. This will add a nutty flavour to the breading.
Mozzarella sticks are a great appetizer or snack, and they can be easily made at home. They are best served fresh, but you can also freeze them for later.
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Frequently asked questions
Mozzarella is the best choice for cheese sticks due to its meltability and mild flavour. However, you can use other types of cheese, such as string cheese.
Freezing the cheese before cooking helps the cheese sticks hold their shape and prevents the cheese from melting and leaking out. You should also ensure the cheese is fully coated with egg and breadcrumbs.
Vegetable oil is recommended for frying cheese sticks, but any neutral cooking oil, such as canola, corn, or peanut oil, will work.
Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature of your oil. It should be hot but not too hot, otherwise the cheese will melt and leak out.
Depending on your cooking method, cheese sticks should be cooked for between 4-11 minutes or until the crumbs are crisp and the cheese is melted. Do not overcook or the cheese will leak out.
