Frederic Melton
Pizza cheese sticks are a quick and easy snack that can be made in under 20 minutes. They are a perfect appetizer for any occasion and can be made with simple, readily available ingredients. The recipe is also highly customizable, allowing you to add your favourite fillings and flavours. You can even make them ahead of time and store them in the fridge or freezer for a quick snack whenever you need. In this guide, we will walk you through the simple steps to make delicious pizza cheese sticks at home.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Pizza Cheese Sticks
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Pizza dough, cheese, toppings (pepperoni, garlic, herbs, etc.), olive oil, butter, flour, yeast, sugar, salt, water, oil, tomatoes, cornmeal |
| Preparation | Roll out pizza dough, cut into strips or rectangles, add toppings, roll dough around toppings, seal, brush with butter or oil, bake |
| Baking Temperature | 425-475°F |
| Baking Time | 8-20 minutes, until lightly browned or golden |
| Serving Suggestions | Serve warm with pizza sauce for dipping |
| Storage | Can be baked ahead of time, cooled, and stored in the fridge or freezer |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing your dough
When it comes to choosing your dough, there are a few options to consider. You can opt for store-bought dough, which is readily available in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores, typically near other pre-made items like salads or sushi. Alternatively, you can go for canned pizza dough, found in the canned goods aisle. If you're feeling adventurous and have the time, you can also make your own homemade pizza dough from scratch.
Each option has its advantages. Store-bought dough is convenient and saves time, especially if you're in a pinch. Canned dough has a longer shelf life and can be useful if you don't have regular access to a refrigerator. Homemade dough, on the other hand, offers the freshest option and allows you to customize the ingredients to your liking, such as adding herbs or spices to the dough itself.
When choosing store-bought or canned dough, be sure to check the ingredients and nutritional information to ensure it aligns with your preferences and dietary needs. Some brands may include preservatives or additional ingredients that you might want to avoid. Additionally, check the serving size and weight of the dough to ensure you have enough for your desired number of cheese sticks.
If you decide to make your own dough, you'll need a few simple ingredients like flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and water. You can also experiment with adding herbs, spices, or different types of flour to create unique flavors. Keep in mind that making homemade dough requires some planning, as it needs time to rise and rest before rolling it out. However, the benefit of making your own is that you can control the texture and taste to suit your preferences.
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Preparing the filling
For a more indulgent option, you can add pepperoni or other fillings such as sliced olives, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, sausage, or bacon. However, remember not to overfill the pizza sticks as this will make them difficult to wrap and the inside bottom crust may not cook well.
If you want to make your own pizza dough, simply combine flour, undissolved yeast, sugar, salt, warm water, and oil in a large bowl and mix until well blended. The dough should form a ball and will be slightly sticky. You can also use store-bought pizza dough or canned pizza dough if you prefer.
Once you have your dough and filling prepared, roll out the dough into a large rectangle and cut it into equal pieces, long enough to fit the cheese sticks. Add your desired fillings to the centre of each piece of dough, making sure not to overfill, and then roll the dough tightly around the cheese, pinching the sides to seal.
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Shaping the sticks
Next, cut the dough into long strips. You can use a knife or a pizza cutter to do this. The number of strips you cut will depend on how many cheese sticks you want to make and how large you want them to be. For example, you can cut the dough into 10 equal pieces to fit the cheese sticks, or you can cut the dough into 2x6-inch strips.
Now it's time to add the cheese! Place your desired filling, such as a cheese stick or shredded cheese, in the center of each strip. You can also add pepperoni or other fillings like sliced olives, mushrooms, or onions. Just be careful not to overfill the sticks, as this will make them difficult to wrap and the inside bottom crust may not cook well.
Finally, roll up the dough tightly around the cheese, making sure to pinch the sides to seal. Place the sticks seam-side down on a baking sheet. You can brush the sticks with butter or olive oil, or even a mixture of melted butter, garlic powder, and parsley for extra flavor.
Your pizza cheese sticks are now ready to be baked!
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Baking the sticks
Once you have prepared your pizza dough and fillings, it's time to bake your pizza cheese sticks!
First, preheat your oven. Different recipes suggest different temperatures, ranging from 425°F to 475°F. You may also want to line a baking sheet with parchment paper or sprinkle cornmeal onto a rimmed baking sheet pan.
Next, roll out your dough and cut it into strips or rectangles. The size and shape of your dough will determine how many cheese sticks you can make. For example, one recipe suggests cutting the dough into 2 x 6-inch strips, while another recommends cutting it into 10 equal pieces long enough to fit the cheese sticks.
After cutting your dough, it's time to add your fillings. Place your desired fillings, such as pepperoni, down the center of each piece of dough. Then, add your cheese. Be careful not to overfill, as this can make it difficult to wrap the dough and may result in a soggy bottom crust.
Roll the dough up tightly around the fillings, making sure to pinch the sides to seal. Place the dough seam-side down on your prepared baking sheet. At this point, you can brush the dough with melted butter, olive oil, or a mixture of olive oil, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and herbs.
Finally, bake your pizza cheese sticks! The baking time will vary depending on your oven temperature, but most recipes suggest baking for 8-12 minutes or until the cheese is lightly browned and the edges are deep golden brown. Keep an eye on your pizza cheese sticks to ensure they don't overcook.
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Storing and reheating
For longer-term storage, you can freeze the baked pizza cheese sticks. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to enjoy them again, you don't need to defrost them first. Just pop them into the oven at 400°F for about 15 minutes, or until heated through.
To ensure your pizza cheese sticks maintain their texture and taste, it's important to follow some key tips. Firstly, avoid adding sauce to the inside of the sticks before storing, as this can make them soggy. Instead, serve the sauce on the side when you're ready to eat. Secondly, when freezing, ensure the cheese sticks are wrapped tightly to prevent freezer burn and maintain freshness. Lastly, when reheating, keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking, as this can affect their texture and taste.
Additionally, you can also reheat pizza cheese sticks in an air fryer. This method is especially useful if you want to achieve a crispy exterior. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F and place the desired number of cheese sticks in the basket. Reheat for 3-5 minutes, or until they are warmed to your liking. This method is quick and convenient, and it adds a nice crispness to the exterior of the cheese sticks.
In summary, storing and reheating pizza cheese sticks is straightforward and allows you to enjoy them whenever you crave them. By following the simple steps outlined above, you can have delicious, warm, and crispy cheese sticks ready in no time!
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Frequently asked questions
You can use store-bought or homemade pizza dough, cheese, and pizza sauce. You can also add toppings such as pepperoni, garlic, butter, and herbs.
Pizza cheese sticks are a quick and easy snack that can be made in about 20 minutes.
Pizza is usually baked at a high temperature to achieve a crispy crust. Breadsticks are often baked at a lower temperature, around 425-475°F, to keep them soft.
Yes, you can bake the pizza cheese sticks, let them cool, and then store them in the fridge or freezer. To reheat, bake them in the oven or air fryer until heated through.
