Andy Montoya
Fried cheese sticks are a delicious snack that can be easily made at home. They can be baked, air-fried, or deep-fried, with frying being the most recommended option. The process involves coating cheese sticks with a variety of ingredients, including flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, and seasonings, before frying them in hot oil until golden brown. The cheese sticks are then served warm with dipping sauces such as marinara or bolognese sauce. Making fried cheese sticks at home ensures a fresh and delicious treat that can be customized to your liking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Mozzarella or cheese strings |
| Ingredients | Flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, buttermilk, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic salt, oregano, basil, cornstarch, water |
| Oil temperature | 350°F-365°F (175°C-185°C) |
| Oil type | Peanut or vegetable oil |
| Cooking method | Deep frying, baking, or air frying |
| Dipping sauces | Marinara sauce, bolognese sauce, ranch |
| Serving suggestions | Appetizer, snack, side dish |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing your cheese
When it comes to choosing your cheese, there are a few options to consider for making fried cheese sticks.
Mozzarella is a popular choice, and you can use either string cheese or a block of mozzarella. Some people prefer the flavour and texture of block mozzarella, as it tends to yield more sticks. However, string cheese is easier to work with and can be more readily shaped into sticks.
Low-moisture mozzarella is also a good option, as it will help prevent the cheese from melting too quickly and leaking out of the coating.
Another option is to use cheese strings, which are not made of mozzarella specifically. Cheese strings are designed to melt more slowly than regular cheese, so they can help prevent leaks and ensure the cheese sticks hold their shape better during frying.
For a more authentic, Italian-style cheese stick, you might opt for a combination of cheeses, such as mozzarella, Parmesan, and Romano. This blend can add more depth of flavour to your fried cheese sticks.
Ultimately, the choice of cheese depends on your personal preference and the specific texture and flavour you are aiming for.
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Preparing the coating
The first bowl should contain buttermilk, egg, and cayenne pepper, lightly whisked together. You can also add some water to the egg mixture. The second bowl should contain all-purpose flour, which you can also blend with cornstarch. The third bowl should contain Panko crumbs, which you can season with Italian seasoning, garlic salt, oregano, and basil. You can also use regular breadcrumbs, or a mixture of breadcrumbs and garlic salt.
Once you've prepared your bowls, it's time to start dredging. Take a cheese stick and dip it into the first bowl, making sure to coat it evenly. Then, dip it into the flour bowl, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it back into the first bowl, and finally, into the Panko crumb or breadcrumb bowl, ensuring the entire cheese stick is coated. Place your coated sticks on a wire cooking rack on top of a baking sheet. Repeat this process until all your cheese sticks are coated.
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Shaping the cheese sticks
First, prepare three separate bowls for dredging the cheese sticks. The first bowl should contain buttermilk, egg, and cayenne pepper, lightly whisked together. The second bowl should contain all-purpose flour, and the third bowl should contain Panko crumbs, also known as breadcrumbs, and an Italian seasoning mixture. You can season plain Panko crumbs with garlic salt, oregano, and basil to create an Italian seasoning blend.
Next, dip the cheese sticks into the buttermilk mixture, ensuring they are fully coated. Then, dip them into the flour, shaking off any excess. Return the cheese sticks to the buttermilk mixture for a second coating, and finally, dip them into the Panko crumb mixture. Make sure the entire cheese stick is coated evenly with the crumbs. Press the crumbs gently into the cheese sticks to ensure a consistent coating.
At this stage, it is essential to place the coated cheese sticks on a wire rack or baking sheet to rest until the oil is ready for frying. This step ensures that the coating sets and helps maintain the shape of the cheese sticks. You can also freeze the coated cheese sticks at this point if you plan to cook them later. Freezing helps prevent the cheese from melting too quickly during frying, ensuring the cheese sticks hold their shape.
When shaping the cheese sticks, it is important to work with one stick at a time and ensure they are at room temperature. This temperature allows for better adhesion of the coating. Additionally, cutting the cheese sticks in half before dipping can help create a more manageable size for frying and ensure even cooking.
By following these steps, you will achieve perfectly shaped fried cheese sticks with a crispy coating and a gooey, melted cheese centre.
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Frying the cheese sticks
Next, heat your oil of choice—peanut or vegetable oil are popular options—in a large pot or skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Use a deep-fat thermometer to heat the oil to around 350°F (175-185°C). The oil is ready when it shimmers and a few crumbs dropped into it will bubble.
Now, carefully place the breaded cheese sticks into the hot oil in small batches. Fry 2-4 cheese sticks at a time, using tongs or a spider spoon to gently lower them into the oil. Avoid overcrowding the pan, as this can cause the cheese sticks to stick together. Fry the cheese sticks for about 2 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crisp. Keep a close eye on them as they can overcook quickly.
Once they are browned, remove the cheese sticks from the oil with tongs and place them on a metal cooling rack set over a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain the excess oil. Repeat this process with the remaining cheese sticks, ensuring the oil returns to the correct temperature between batches. Serve your fried cheese sticks immediately with your choice of dipping sauce, such as marinara or ranch.
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Serving the cheese sticks
When serving fried cheese sticks, there are several factors to consider, including the sauce, the side dishes, and the temperature of the cheese sticks.
Firstly, it is important to serve fried cheese sticks warm. They are best enjoyed freshly cooked, as this ensures the cheese is melted and the coating is crispy. If you are making a large batch, it is recommended to use a cooling rack placed over a baking sheet to prevent the cheese sticks from becoming soggy.
Secondly, sauces and dips are essential when serving fried cheese sticks. A classic marinara sauce is a popular choice, but other options include bolognese, ranch dressing, or various other dipping sauces.
Thirdly, consider what side dishes you want to serve with the cheese sticks. They can be served as a snack or appetiser, alongside dishes like loaded nachos, chicken wings, potato skins, or sliders. Alternatively, they can be served as a side dish with a soup, such as tomato soup, for a more filling meal.
Lastly, it is important to note that fried cheese sticks are best served fresh, but they can also be made in batches and stored in the freezer for later consumption. When reheating, simply place the frozen cheese sticks on a baking sheet and warm them in the oven or air fryer until crispy again.
By following these serving tips, you can ensure that your fried cheese sticks are tasty, crispy, and enjoyed by all!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need cheese mozzarella or cheese strings, eggs, flour, breadcrumbs, and oil for frying. Some recipes also call for buttermilk, Italian seasoning, garlic salt, oregano, basil, cayenne pepper, cornstarch, and water.
First, prepare your cheese sticks by cutting them in half or into thirds. Then, set up a dredging station with separate bowls of flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. Dip the cheese sticks into each bowl in that order, ensuring they are fully coated. Place the coated cheese sticks in the freezer for at least an hour. Finally, heat oil to 350°F (or 365°F according to one source) and fry the cheese sticks in batches until golden brown.
Fry the cheese sticks for about 2-3 minutes or until they turn golden brown. Be careful not to overcook them, as the cheese can start to leak out.
Fried cheese sticks are often served with a dipping sauce such as marinara sauce, bolognese sauce, or ranch. They can be served as an appetizer, snack, or side dish.
Yes, cheese sticks can be baked in the oven or cooked in an air fryer. However, frying is recommended for the best results as it creates a crispy texture without the cheese leaking out. If baking or air-frying, be sure to spray the cheese sticks with cooking spray and cook until the crumbs are crisp and the cheese is melted.
