Cheese Sticks: The Perfect Pairing Guide For Foodies

Cheese sticks are a popular snack, often made with mozzarella cheese, coated in breadcrumbs, and fried until crispy. They are versatile and can be served as a side dish, appetizer, or as part of a larger meal. While they are delicious on their own, there are endless options for side dishes and sauces to elevate this snack.

For a refreshing option, pair cheese sticks with a salad. A classic Caesar salad or a simple garden or tomato salad with a vinaigrette dressing are excellent choices. You can also add some crunch and flavour by including seasonal vegetables, such as cucumbers, or pickles.

If you're craving something more savoury, cheese sticks go well with garlic bread. For a quick option, you can buy garlic bread from the store and bake it at home. Alternatively, spread some garlic powder and olive oil on bread and bake it yourself.

For a heartier meal, cheese sticks can be served with grilled or baked dishes, such as grilled chicken or steak. They also pair well with seafood, like grilled or baked fish, or even salmon or trout.

When it comes to sauces, cheese sticks are commonly served with marinara sauce, but there are many other options to explore. For a spicy kick, try buffalo sauce or sriracha. If you're looking for something creamy, ranch dressing, hollandaise sauce, or even a homemade garlic aioli are excellent choices.

Cheese sticks are a versatile snack that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you're looking for a quick bite or a more substantial meal, there are endless combinations to satisfy your cravings.

Salads

A Caesar salad is also a classic choice to pair with cheese sticks. The rich, creamy dressing and crisp lettuce provide a refreshing contrast to the gooey cheese. Plus, the croutons add a similar crunch to that of the cheese sticks.

If you're looking for a lighter option, a garden salad or a fresh tomato salad are also great options to pair with cheese sticks. The acidity of the tomatoes pairs perfectly with the richness of the cheese, and you can add fresh herbs for an extra touch of flavour.

For a more unique salad, you can even crumble up the cheese sticks and sprinkle them over your salad for some extra cheesy goodness.

Cheese sticks can also be cut into bite-sized pieces and added to a salad with lettuce, cucumber, and dressing for a quick and easy meal.

So, if you're looking for a side dish to pair with your cheese sticks, a salad is a great option to balance out the flavours and textures and add some freshness to your meal.

Dipping Sauces

Cheese sticks are a versatile snack that can be paired with a variety of dipping sauces. While marinara sauce is a classic pairing, there are several other options to enhance their flavour.

Popular Dipping Sauces for Cheese Sticks

Marinara Sauce

A classic choice for cheese sticks, marinara sauce is made with tomatoes and herbs like basil and oregano, providing a tangy and slightly acidic kick that complements the savoury flavour of cheese sticks.

Barbecue and Buffalo Sauces

Barbecue sauce offers a smoky flavour that contrasts well with the crispy exterior and soft interior of breaded cheese sticks. Buffalo sauce, on the other hand, adds a spicy punch that pairs nicely with the mild flavour of the cheese.

Ranch and Other Creamy Sauces

Ranch dressing is a popular choice for dipping cheese sticks, adding a nice contrast to the savoury cheese with its creamy and tangy flavour. Other creamy sauces like hollandaise or regular mayonnaise can also work well.

Hot and Spicy Sauces

For those who like it hot, sriracha or chilli sauce can be a great addition to cheese sticks. Jalapeno poppers and salsa are also fantastic options for those who enjoy a little spice.

Unique and International Sauces

For those looking to try something new, there are several unique and international sauces to explore. Tzatziki, a Greek yoghurt-based sauce with garlic and herbs, pairs well with cheese sticks. Pesto, made with basil, garlic, olive oil, and pine nuts, adds a fresh and herbaceous flavour. Thai sweet chilli sauce is another great option with its sweet and tangy flavour.

Homemade Dipping Sauce Ideas

If you’re feeling creative, you can make your own dipping sauces at home. Garlic aioli, made with garlic, olive oil, and mayonnaise, is a simple and tasty option. You can also mix different sauces to create unique flavour combinations.

Dipping Options for Health-Conscious Foodies

For health-conscious foodies, fresh salad or guacamole can add a nutritious and delicious touch to cheese sticks. You can also make your own honey mustard sauce with honey, mustard, and a touch of salt and pepper.

Main Courses

Cheese sticks are a versatile side dish that can complement a variety of main courses. Here are some ideas for main courses that would go well with cheese sticks:

Pizza or Pasta

Cheese sticks are a great addition to any pizza or pasta dish. They pair particularly well with pesto pasta or tomato sauce-based pasta dishes. If you're making a pizza, consider adding toppings like grilled chicken or red meat, along with cheese sticks, to create an extra layer of flavour and texture.

Grilled and Baked Dishes

Cheese sticks can be a tasty complement to grilled or baked dishes, such as grilled chicken or baked fish. They add a crunchy, cheesy element to the dish and can be dipped in a variety of sauces, such as cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, or even a spicy arrabbiata sauce.

Meatballs and Red Meat

The classic combination of meatballs in marinara sauce is elevated by the addition of cheese sticks. The crunchy, cheesy texture of the sticks complements the savoury flavour of the meatballs. Cheese sticks also go well with other red meat dishes like steak or beef burgers.

Seafood

Cheese sticks can be a surprising yet delicious pairing with seafood dishes. Try them with salmon or trout, or add them to a plate of crispy fish and chips. They provide a nice contrast of textures and can be dipped in seafood sauces or even the classic marinara.

Barbecue

Mozzarella sticks are a perfect addition to any barbecue dish. Their crispy, cheesy goodness will be a hit with your guests. You can even barbecue the mozzarella sticks themselves by threading them onto skewers and grilling until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Mac and Cheese

For the ultimate cheese lover's delight, pair your mozzarella sticks with a creamy mac and cheese. You can even take it up a notch by topping the macaroni mixture with mozzarella sticks before baking it in the oven, resulting in a gooey, cheesy masterpiece.

Appetizers

Cheese sticks are a versatile appetizer that can be served with a variety of dips and side dishes. Here are some ideas for appetizers to serve with cheese sticks:

Dipping Sauces

Cheese sticks are commonly served with a marinara dipping sauce, but there are endless other options to explore. Here are some popular choices:

• Barbecue sauce
• Buffalo sauce
• Ranch dressing
• Hot sauce
• Honey mustard
• Pesto
• Garlic aioli
• Tzatziki
• Thai sweet chili sauce
• Guacamole

Side Dishes

Cheese sticks can be paired with a variety of side dishes to make a more substantial and balanced meal. Here are some ideas:

• Fresh salad: A Caesar salad is a classic choice, but any type of salad with your favourite veggies and a vinaigrette dressing will work well.
• Grilled or baked dishes: Cheese sticks can be served as a side with grilled chicken or baked fish. They also go well with ribs or red meat dishes.
• Stir-fries and omelets: The combination of protein and vegetables makes for a filling and satisfying meal.
• Nachos and snacks: Cheese sticks can be paired with nachos, carrot sticks, celery, cucumber slices, or other snacks. Add toppings like salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for extra flavour.
• Soups: Pairing cheese sticks with a warm soup, such as tomato soup, chicken noodle soup, or vegetable soup, is a great option for a cold day.

Drinks

Cheese sticks are a versatile snack that can be enjoyed with a variety of drinks, depending on the type of cheese used and the desired flavour profile. Here are some drink pairing suggestions specifically for cheese sticks:

Beer

Beer is a popular choice to pair with cheese sticks. The carbonation in beer helps to refresh the palate, cutting through the richness of the cheese. Lighter beers such as ales, ciders, and pilsners are often recommended, but stronger ales (over 5% ABV) can also stand up to the strong flavour of cheese.

Wine

Wine is widely considered to be cheese's best friend. A classic British territorial cheese board, for example, pairs well with ales and ciders, while a spring goat's cheese board is excellent with a chilled Sancerre. However, a rich, dry white wine will generally match a varied cheese board more successfully than a big red wine.

When it comes to specific types of cheese, here are some recommendations:

• Fresh cheeses like mozzarella, burrata, feta, and goat's cheese curd pair well with crisp, dry, young white wines like Soave, Muscadet, Sauvignon Blanc, or a creamy young Chardonnay. If the cheese is salty, like feta, try an off-dry wine such as Gewürztraminer or Riesling.
• Bloomy soft cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and Delice de Bourgogne go well with light-bodied, dry, unoaked Chardonnays, as well as sparkling whites.
• Washed-rind cheeses like Epoisse, Taleggio, and Munster, which are very pungent, can be paired with dry, traditional method sparkling wines, or dry or off-dry unoaked white wines like Gerwurztamier or Pinot Gris from Alsace.
• Semi-soft cheeses like Gruyère and young Gouda are a good match for crisp, dry whites with a touch of oak, such as Chardonnay or Pinot Gris.
• Hard cheeses tend to suit medium-bodied red wines. Examples include St. Emilion from Bordeaux, Sangiovese, Rioja, and Chianti.
• Blue cheese is excellent with sweet, fortified red wines like vintage Port, LBV Port, or Maury.

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Non-alcoholic drinks can also be paired with cheese sticks. Here are some suggestions:

• Fresh cheeses like mozzarella and goat's cheese can be paired with apple juice, elderflower cordial, or traditional lemonade.
• Bloomy soft cheeses go well with a cucumber and mint mocktail.
• Washed-rind cheeses, which are often pungent, can be balanced by a tart drink like dry cider or a spicy Saison beer.
• Semi-soft cheeses like Gruyère and young Gouda can be enjoyed with kombucha, especially apple-flavoured kombucha.
• Hard cheeses are versatile and can be paired with a range of non-alcoholic drinks, including pear or apple juice, a Pear Punch Mocktail, or a Berry Blast-type mocktail.
• Blue cheese is surprisingly good with hot chocolate, as the sweetness offsets the sharpness of the cheese. A milder blue cheese would also go well with a blackberry mocktail with a hint of orange.

Frequently asked questions