Randy Chandler
Whether you're making homemade cheese sticks or a pizza, getting cheese to stick can be a challenge. For cheese sticks, the key is to coat the cheese in a protective shell before frying, using a combination of egg, flour or cornstarch, and breadcrumbs. Freezing the cheese sticks before frying also helps to prevent the cheese from leaking out. When it comes to pizza, the main issue is cheese sliding off the dough during baking. To prevent this, it's important to use a moderate amount of cheese, preheat the oven, and partially cook the pizza before adding the cheese.
Characteristics of how to get cheese to stick
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cheese | Mozzarella, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Cheddar, Parmesan |
| Use cheese strings | Cheese strings will not melt as quickly as regular cheese |
| Breadcrumbs | Italian breadcrumbs |
| Egg | Dip each cheese stick into the egg mixture to coat |
| Flour | Flour/cornstarch mixture |
| Freeze | Freeze the breaded mozzarella sticks for two hours before cooking |
| Cooking | Deep fry, bake in the oven |
| Serving | Marinara sauce, bolognese sauce, ranch |
| Grating | Use a food processor or cooking spray to prevent cheese from sticking to the grater |
| Amount of cheese | Use a moderate amount of cheese |
Explore related products
$23.01 $29.95
What You'll Learn
Use cheese strings, not mozzarella
When making cheese sticks, it is important to use cheese strings instead of mozzarella. This is because cheese strings do not melt as quickly as regular cheese. Cheese sticks are easy to make and can be served as an appetizer or alongside warm pasta sauce.
To make cheese sticks, start by peeling open the cheese strings and cutting them in half. Freeze the cheese strings, then dredge them in a beaten egg, followed by a flour or cornstarch mixture. Dip the cheese strings back into the egg and finally, coat them with breadcrumbs. Make sure to press the breadcrumbs into the cheese sticks for an even coating.
You can freeze the coated cheese sticks for later or fry them in hot oil until browned. Cheese sticks are best served immediately and are crispy and delicious when deep-fried. Be careful not to overcook them, as the cheese may start to ooze out.
Cheese sticks can be served with a variety of dips, such as marinara sauce, bolognese sauce, or homemade ranch. They are a great appetizer for parties or gatherings and can be made in advance and popped into the oven when guests arrive.
The Science Behind Sharp Cheeses
You may want to see also
Coat cheese in breadcrumbs
To coat cheese in breadcrumbs, you can follow a few simple steps. First, cut the cheese into cubes or sticks. Next, dredge the cheese in flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip the cheese into beaten egg, letting any excess drip off. Finally, dip the cheese into the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere to the cheese.
It is important to note that the cheese should be evenly coated at each step. You can use a variety of breadcrumbs, such as Panko, to create a crispy and crunchy texture. After coating the cheese, it is recommended to freeze the cheese for about 30 minutes before frying to ensure the cheese is cooked properly.
Once the cheese is coated and chilled, heat oil in a large pot or pan to 375°F. Carefully add the cheese to the hot oil in small batches and cook until golden brown, turning as needed. This should take about 3 minutes.
Serve the fried cheese immediately while it is still warm. It pairs well with a variety of dipping sauces, such as marinara or bolognese sauce, or even ranch dressing. These cheese sticks or bites can be served as an appetizer or snack and are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Freezing Shredded Cheese: Does It Get Slimy?
You may want to see also
Don't overcook
When making cheese sticks, grilled cheese sandwiches, or any other cheesy delights, it's important not to overcook the cheese. Overcooking can cause the cheese to seize up and become hard, rubbery curds. The proteins in the cheese tangle together and separate from the fat and water, resulting in a clumpy mess instead of a gooey, melty texture.
To avoid overcooking cheese, it's important to cook it gently and evenly. Grated or shredded cheese will melt more quickly and evenly, reducing the need for high heat. If you're using sliced cheese, it may take longer to melt and require more heat, which can increase the risk of overcooking. In recipes where cheese is tossed with hot ingredients or melted into sauces or soups, it's best to heat gently and stir frequently to prevent clumping and encourage even melting.
When making grilled cheese sandwiches, avoid pressing down on the sandwich while it cooks. This can cause the bread to stick to the pan and make it harder to flip. Instead, let the sandwich cook on its own, which allows the cheese to melt evenly without oozing out from the sides too quickly. Using a lid can help trap heat and speed up the melting process, but be sure to keep an eye on the sandwich to avoid burning.
For cheese sticks, it's crucial to cook them until they are just browned. Overcooking can cause the cheese to leak out, resulting in a messy and less appetizing snack. Freezing the cheese sticks before frying can help prevent the cheese from melting too quickly and leaking out. Additionally, using a thick coating of flour or cornstarch can act as a barrier, giving the cheese more time to melt before it leaks out.
Subway's Italian Herbs and Cheese: Gone for Good?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Freeze before frying
Freezing cheese before frying it is a great way to ensure that your cheese sticks have a delightful contrast between their crispy exterior and creamy interior. This technique is particularly effective when working with breaded cheese or cheese sticks.
To begin, cut your cheese into your desired shapes or sizes, ensuring they are not too large as smaller pieces are easier to handle and cook more evenly. You can use cheese strings or mozzarella, but avoid regular cheese as it melts too quickly. Arrange the cheese pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they don't touch each other. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and allow the cheese to freeze for at least one hour. This is an essential step that should not be skipped, as it prevents the cheese from melting too quickly in the fryer and allows the shell to properly brown and crisp before the cheese gets overcooked.
While the cheese is freezing, prepare your breading station. Beat some eggs for an egg wash and have your breadcrumbs or coating mixture ready. You can also use a flour and cornstarch mixture for an extra thick coating. Press the breadcrumbs into each cheese stick to ensure an even coating.
Once the cheese is frozen, you can transfer the pieces to a zip-top bag labelled with the date and store them in the freezer for up to two months. When you're ready to fry, heat your oil to the proper frying temperature. Dip each frozen cheese piece in the egg wash and then coat it in your chosen breading. You can repeat this process for an extra crispy layer.
Fry the cheese until it turns golden brown and crispy, which should only take a minute or two. Remove the fried cheese from the oil and let it drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve your cheese sticks immediately with a marinara sauce, bolognese sauce, or homemade ranch for dipping. Enjoy the crispy, gooey, and delicious results!
Cast Iron Skillet Cleaning: Removing Stubborn Cheese
You may want to see also
Use a moderate amount of cheese
When making pizza at home, getting the cheese to stick to the dough can be challenging. The cheese tends to slide off during baking, leaving a bare spot on your pizza. One of the tricks to prevent this is to use a moderate amount of cheese.
While it may be tempting to pile on the cheese, using an excessive amount can weigh down the pizza and cause it to slide off. For best results, use a moderate amount of cheese. This will help to ensure that the cheese stays in place and creates a gooey, melty topping.
When making homemade mozzarella sticks, it is important to use a moderate amount of cheese to ensure that it does not ooze out during cooking. The cheese sticks should be coated with a layer of egg and breadcrumbs before being frozen. This will help to create a shell that protects the cheese from the hot oil during cooking.
When breading the cheese sticks, it is recommended to repeat the process at least twice to create a thick enough coating. However, some people prefer to do three coats for an even more robust shell. By using a moderate amount of cheese and ensuring a thorough coating, you can help prevent the cheese from leaking out during cooking.
In summary, using a moderate amount of cheese is an important factor in getting cheese to stick, whether it be on a pizza or in a breaded cheese stick. Combining this technique with other methods, such as partially cooking the dough before adding cheese or freezing cheese sticks before frying, will help ensure the best results.
The History of String Cheese: From Invention to Snack Time
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
To get cheese to stick to pizza dough, you should: preheat your oven, partially cook the pizza before adding the cheese, and use a moderate amount of cheese.
To make cheese sticks, you should: cut the cheese into sticks, dredge the cheese sticks in a mixture of egg and breadcrumbs, freeze, and fry.
To prevent grated cheese from sticking, you can use a food processor or spritz your grater with cooking spray.
