Patrick Oconnell
Cheese sticks are a delicious snack, but what are they made of? The most important ingredient is, of course, cheese! Mozzarella is the most popular variety, and the best kind to use is a block of whole milk mozzarella that you can cut into sticks. You can also use string cheese, which melts differently from block mozzarella, but it is easier to prepare. To make the cheese sticks crispy, the cheese is coated in a variety of breading options, such as flour, egg, panko, and breadcrumbs. The coated cheese sticks are then fried, baked, or air-fried, resulting in a delicious snack that can be enjoyed with a variety of sauces, such as marinara, bolognese, or ranch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main Ingredient | Mozzarella |
| Other Ingredients | Vegetable Oil, Flour, Eggs, Breadcrumbs, Cornstarch, Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder |
| Dipping Sauces | Marinara Sauce, Bolognese Sauce, Ranch |
| Calories | 77 |
| Carbohydrates | 5g |
| Protein | 4g |
| Fat | 4g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Cholesterol | 17mg |
| Sodium | 141mg |
| Potassium | 13mg |
| Vitamin A | 15IU |
| Calcium | 18mg |
| Iron | 0.3mg |
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What You'll Learn
- Cheese sticks are made with low-moisture mozzarella or string cheese
- Coating the cheese sticks in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs is essential
- Cheese sticks are best deep-fried, but can be baked or air-fried
- Freeze cheese sticks before frying to prevent disintegration
- Marinara sauce is a popular dip for cheese sticks
Cheese sticks are made with low-moisture mozzarella or string cheese
Cheese sticks are a delicious snack, and they're made with a very simple list of ingredients. The key component is low-moisture mozzarella or string cheese.
Mozzarella sticks are made with low-moisture mozzarella or string cheese, which is cut into sticks and then coated in a variety of breading ingredients. The cheese is typically cut into sticks just under 1/2" thick by 3" long, resulting in around 20-24 cheese sticks from a 16 oz block of cheese. The breading process involves dipping the cheese sticks into flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, with some recipes calling for double-dipping to ensure a crunchy crust. This coating helps to prevent the cheese from leaking out during cooking.
The breaded cheese sticks are then frozen for a period of time, typically around an hour, before being fried. Freezing allows the coating to solidify and get sturdy, creating a barrier that can withstand the heat of the oil during frying. Frying is typically done in a deep pan with vegetable or another neutral oil, heated to around 350°F. The cheese sticks are cooked in small batches for a few minutes until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, with melted gooey cheese on the inside.
Mozzarella sticks can also be baked in the oven or cooked in an air fryer, although frying produces the best results. When baking or air frying, it is important to use a cooking spray to ensure even cooking. The cheese sticks are cooked at a temperature of around 400°F for 9-11 minutes, or until the crumbs are crisp and the cheese is melted.
Cheese sticks made with low-moisture mozzarella or string cheese are a popular snack that can be easily made at home. The key to success is in the breading and freezing process, which helps to create a crispy texture and prevents the cheese from leaking out during cooking.
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Coating the cheese sticks in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs is essential
The coating process typically involves a double-dipping method, where each cheese stick is first dipped in flour, then egg, and then back into the flour and egg wash. This double-dipping technique ensures a well-breaded cheese stick that will hold together during frying. The final step is to roll the sticks in breadcrumbs, ensuring an even coating on all sides.
Freezing the coated cheese sticks is another critical step. Freezing allows the coating to solidify and get sturdy, creating a barrier that can withstand the heat of the oil during frying. It helps prevent the coating from disintegrating and the cheese from leaking out. By freezing the cheese sticks, you can also make them ahead of time and fry them later when the craving strikes!
While the coating and freezing steps may seem time-consuming, they are essential to ensuring the cheese sticks turn out crispy, crunchy, and gooey—the hallmark of a perfect cheese stick. With these steps, you can create a delicious snack that can be enjoyed as an appetizer or side dish and dipped in sauces like marinara, bolognese, or ranch.
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Cheese sticks are best deep-fried, but can be baked or air-fried
Cheese sticks are a delicious snack, perfect for any occasion. They are made of mozzarella cheese coated in a breading and then cooked until crispy and golden. The best way to cook cheese sticks is to deep-fry them, as this creates a crunchy crust and prevents the cheese from leaking out. However, it is important to note that frying requires close attention to avoid any accidents with hot oil.
To deep-fry cheese sticks, heat oil in a deep pan to a temperature of around 350-365°F (185°C). Then, place the breaded cheese sticks into the hot oil in small batches and fry for about 2 minutes, or until golden brown. Be careful not to overcook, as this can cause the cheese to leak out.
If you don't want to deep-fry your cheese sticks, there are other cooking methods you can use. You can bake them in the oven or use an air fryer. To bake cheese sticks, preheat your oven to 400°F and place the cheese sticks on a baking sheet. Spray them with cooking spray and bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the crumbs are crisp and the cheese is melted. For an air fryer, preheat the device to 400°F and cook the cheese sticks in small batches for 4-6 minutes, or until the crumbs are crisp and the cheese is melted.
While frying is the preferred method for the best results, baking and air-frying are also great options. Just be aware that some cheese may leak out during the cooking process, which is normal and they will still taste delicious! Remember to freeze your cheese sticks before cooking, as this helps the coating to solidify and prevents the cheese from leaking out.
No matter which cooking method you choose, be sure to serve your cheese sticks with a delicious dipping sauce. The most popular option is marinara sauce, but you can also try bolognese, ranch, or any other sauce of your choice. Enjoy your crispy, gooey, and cheesy treat!
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Freeze cheese sticks before frying to prevent disintegration
Homemade cheese sticks are a delicious snack, but they can be a little tricky to get right. The most important ingredient is, of course, the cheese. While you can use string cheese, many prefer the flavour and texture of a block of whole milk mozzarella.
The key to getting that perfect, golden, crispy coating is to freeze your cheese sticks before frying. Freezing allows the crispy coating to solidify and get sturdy, so that when it hits the hot oil, it can withstand the heat. If you skip this step, your cheese sticks will disintegrate, and you'll be left with a mess of melted cheese and breadcrumbs.
To freeze your cheese sticks, first prepare your dredge components. Cut your block of cheese into sticks, and then dip them first into flour, then into beaten egg, and finally into a panko or breadcrumb mixture. Place your coated sticks on a cooling rack and, once they're all coated, put them in the freezer for at least an hour, or even overnight if you have the time.
Once your cheese sticks are frozen, you can pop them into a Ziploc bag and store them in the freezer for later, or drop them straight into the hot oil. Fry in small batches for just a couple of minutes, until they're golden brown. Then, serve with a warm pasta or marinara sauce for dipping.
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Marinara sauce is a popular dip for cheese sticks
Cheese sticks are a popular snack, often served as an appetizer or side dish. They are made by coating sticks of cheese in a breading and then frying, baking, or air-frying them. The cheese is typically mozzarella, although other types of cheese can be used. The breading usually consists of flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs, and sometimes cornstarch is added to the flour. The cheese sticks are often served with a dipping sauce, and marinara sauce is a popular choice.
Marinara sauce is a tomato-based sauce that pairs well with the cheesy, crispy flavour of the cheese sticks. It has a slightly sweet and tangy taste that complements the savouriness of the cheese and the breading. The sauce is also quite thick, which makes it ideal for dipping. In addition, the red colour of the sauce provides a visually appealing contrast to the golden-brown cheese sticks.
There are several ways to make marinara sauce, and it can be prepared at home or purchased in a jar from a store. A simple recipe for marinara sauce typically includes tomatoes, garlic, onion, basil, and oregano. Sometimes, other ingredients such as olive oil, red wine, or sugar are added to enhance the flavour. The sauce is usually cooked on a stovetop, and it can be made in large batches and frozen for later use.
When serving cheese sticks with marinara sauce, it is important to ensure that the sauce is warm so that it complements the temperature of the cheese sticks. The sauce can be served in a small bowl alongside the cheese sticks, or the cheese sticks can be dipped directly into the sauce. Some people also like to sprinkle grated cheese on top of the marinara sauce for added flavour and texture.
In addition to marinara sauce, there are several other popular dipping sauces for cheese sticks. These include ranch dressing, Sriracha aioli, BBQ sauce, and garlic aioli. Some people also enjoy dipping their cheese sticks in bolognese sauce or serving them with a side of tomato soup. Ultimately, the choice of dipping sauce comes down to personal preference, and many people enjoy experimenting with different sauces to find their favourite.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese sticks are made of mozzarella cheese, flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, and oil.
You can use low-moisture mozzarella cheese or string cheese. Whole milk mozzarella is recommended for a better flavour.
You can use vegetable oil, canola oil, corn oil, or peanut oil.
Cheese sticks are often served with a marinara sauce for dipping. You could also try a bolognese sauce, ranch dressing, or Sriracha Aioli.
