Bushra Griffith
Cheese curds are a beloved delicacy in Wisconsin, often eaten fresh with a distinctive squeak or fried. They are also a main ingredient in poutine, a Quebec dish where cheese curds are served on top of french fries and smothered in hot gravy. While frying is a popular method of cooking cheese curds, they can also be baked in a convection oven. This method is healthier than deep frying and results in a delicious snack with the same flavour and cheesiness as fried cheese curds, but without the heaviness of deep-fried breading.
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the oven to 350-400°F
To cook cheese curds in a convection oven, start by preheating your oven to 350-400°F. This temperature range is ideal for cooking cheese curds as it will ensure they are crispy on the outside and warm and gooey on the inside.
If you are using frozen cheese curds, note that they can be stored for up to four months, but they will lose their characteristic squeak and freshness. It is best to use fresh cheese curds if possible, as this is when they have their unique springy or rubbery texture.
Once your oven is preheated, you can begin preparing your cheese curds for baking. There are several ways to do this, depending on the desired result and your personal preference.
One option is to coat the cheese curds in a mixture of grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, onion powder, and black pepper. Another option is to create an assembly line of bowls containing flour, beaten egg, and a mixture of breadcrumbs, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, and seasoning salt. Dip the cheese curds in each of these bowls to create a coating, then place them on a baking sheet.
You can also coat the cheese curds in a batter before frying them, which is a more traditional method. This can be done by dipping the curds in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, or by using a batter made from a combination of almond flour and flax meal or grated Parmesan.
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Prepare an egg wash and coat the curds
To prepare an egg wash, you'll need eggs, and possibly water or milk. The type of egg wash you make will depend on the colour and glossiness you want your cheese curds to be. Using a whole egg will give a golden brown finish, while an egg yolk will give a deeper golden hue. If you want to avoid eggs altogether, you can use milk, cream, almond milk, butter, or oil to get a similar effect.
Once you've decided on the type of egg wash you want to make, beat the egg, egg yolk, or egg white with your chosen liquid in a bowl with a whisk or fork until it's well combined. If you're using milk, cream, or a plant-based alternative, add a small amount at first, then add more if you need to thin out the mixture. You'll know it's ready when it's thin enough to spread smoothly onto the cheese curds.
Now that your egg wash is ready, it's time to coat the cheese curds. You can do this by carefully dropping a few cheese curds at a time into the egg wash, shaking gently to ensure they don't stick together or get too clumpy. Make sure the curds are fully coated, then transfer them to a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or foil.
If you're using the egg wash as part of a breading procedure, there are a few additional steps. After coating the curds in the egg wash, you'll need to coat them in breadcrumbs. Be sure to press the breadcrumbs into the cheese curds to ensure they're fully coated. Then, place the coated curds on a wire rack resting on a rimmed baking sheet and freeze them for about an hour.
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Bread the curds with a mixture of seasonings
Breading cheese curds with a mixture of seasonings is a great way to add flavour to this mild cheese. The process of breading also gives the cheese curds a crispy texture on the outside, while keeping them warm and gooey on the inside.
To begin, you'll need to create an assembly line of bowls. The first bowl should contain flour, preferably all-purpose flour. The second bowl should contain egg, beaten. You can use a whole egg or just the egg white, depending on your preference. The final bowl should contain your breadcrumb mixture. This is where you can get creative with your seasonings. A simple mixture of breadcrumbs, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, and seasoning salt is a great option. You can also try using grated Parmesan cheese instead of breadcrumbs, for an extra cheesy kick. Add Italian seasoning, onion powder, and black pepper to taste.
Take each cheese curd and coat it first in the flour, then dip it in the egg, and finally, coat it in your chosen breadcrumb mixture. Make sure to press the mixture into the cheese to ensure it's fully coated. Place the breaded cheese curds on a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or foil.
Once all your cheese curds are breaded and on the baking sheet, they're ready to go into the oven. Preheat your convection oven to between 350°F and 400°F. Bake the cheese curds for 3 to 5 minutes, keeping a close eye on them as they cook quickly and you don't want them to turn into a puddle of oozy cheese (unless you want to turn that into a dip!). Serve immediately and enjoy the delicious, crispy, cheesy treat you've created.
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Bake for 3-5 minutes
Once you've coated your cheese curds in your chosen breading, it's time to bake them in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F or 400°F, depending on your recipe. Place your coated cheese curds on a lined baking sheet, making sure they are not touching each other. Now, put the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 3-5 minutes.
It is important to keep a close eye on your cheese curds at this stage, as they can go from perfectly cooked to a puddle of oozy cheese very quickly. You want to bake them until the cheese begins to melt, and no longer. This should take around 3-5 minutes, but it may take slightly longer or shorter depending on your oven and the thickness of your curds.
Once the cheese is melted to your liking, remove the curds from the oven and serve immediately. They go very well with a dipping sauce, such as marinara, spicy ranch, or gravy. Enjoy!
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Serve with a dipping sauce
Cheese curds can be eaten plain, but they are often breaded or battered and fried for extra crunch. The salt and fat content of each bite can be a bit overwhelming, so a dipping sauce can help balance the flavours.
If you're looking for a traditional pairing, try ranch dressing. This classic American sauce is made from a creamy base (usually buttermilk), herbaceous spices like thyme, dill, or parsley, onion or garlic, and black pepper. If you want to elevate your ranch, you can add Parmesan.
If you're a hot sauce fan, drizzle a little onto the crunchy outer shell of the curd for a slight kick, or go for a full-on immersive heat experience by dipping your curds directly into a container of hot sauce. If you're feeling adventurous, try alternating bites with hot sauce and blue cheese or ranch for a mind-bending spicy and cool contrast.
For something sweet and savoury, pomegranate molasses is a fantastic way to take your fried cheese curds to the next level. You can dip your curds directly into the syrup or drizzle it over them.
If you're feeling creative, you can make your own dipping sauce with three cloves of garlic, mayo, and salt and pepper.
Other dipping sauce options include marinara, honey mustard, horseradish cream, chimichurri, and pepper jelly.
Now that you have some dipping sauce ideas, here's how to cook your cheese curds in a convection oven:
Preheat your oven to 350-400°F. Prepare your cheese curds by cutting them into bite-sized pieces, usually about 6-7 pieces per stick. Set up an assembly line of three bowls: the first with all-purpose flour, the second with beaten egg whites, and the third with breadcrumbs, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, and seasoning salt. Coat each cheese curd in flour, dip it in egg white, and then coat it with the breadcrumb mixture. Place the coated cheese curds on a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or foil and spray with cooking spray.
Bake your cheese curds for 3-5 minutes, keeping a close eye on them as the cheese will melt quickly. Serve your crispy, salty, and creamy cheese curds immediately with your chosen dipping sauce!
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Frequently asked questions
Preheat the oven to 400°. Cut the cheese sticks into bite-sized pieces, then dip them in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. Place the coated curds on a baking sheet and put them in the oven for about 4 minutes.
Cheese curds should be baked in the oven for 3-5 minutes. Keep a close eye on them as the cheese will melt quickly.
Preheat your oven to 350-400°F.
Oven-baked cheese curds go well with a dipping sauce like marinara or spicy ranch.
Yes, you can reheat them in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes.
