Andy Montoya
When it comes to making homemade cheese sticks, the best cheese to use is mozzarella. While you can use regular mozzarella, many recipes recommend using mozzarella string cheese as it is already in stick form and melts differently to regular mozzarella. Some recipes suggest that you can use other cheeses, such as baby bells, but mozzarella is the most popular choice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese type | Mozzarella, string cheese, baby bells |
| Cheese texture | Low moisture, whole milk |
| Coating | Breadcrumbs, flour, cornstarch, egg |
| Cooking method | Frying, baking, air frying |
| Dipping sauce | Marinara, bolognese, ranch |
| Storage | Refrigerate for up to 5 days, freeze for up to 3 months |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Mozzarella is best
Mozzarella is the best cheese to use for homemade cheese sticks. While some recipes call for cheese strings, which are convenient as they can be purchased pre-shaped, mozzarella has a better flavour and texture. Whole milk mozzarella, in particular, is recommended over part-skim mozzarella.
Mozzarella sticks are easy to make at home, requiring only a few basic ingredients and no special equipment. The cheese is cut into sticks, dredged in flour, dipped in beaten eggs, coated in breadcrumbs, and fried. The breadcrumbs can be store-bought or made from scratch using a rolling pin or food processor to crush bread into fine crumbs.
Freezing the mozzarella sticks before frying is crucial to achieving the perfect cheese sticks. This step ensures that the cheese does not leak out during cooking and allows the outer coating to become crispy and golden brown before the cheese melts.
Mozzarella sticks can be served with various dipping sauces, with marinara sauce being the most popular choice. Other options include Sriracha Aioli, BBQ Sauce, Comeback Sauce, Garlic Aioli, or ranch dressing.
Homemade mozzarella sticks offer a superior experience to store-bought alternatives, providing a crispy, crunchy, gooey, and salty delight that can be made from scratch with just a few simple steps.
Rennet's Role in Cheese Making Explained
You may want to see also
Use string cheese, not fresh mozzarella
Mozzarella sticks are a popular snack, but when making them at home, it's important to consider the type of cheese to use. While fresh mozzarella is a common choice, it may not be the best option. Instead, using string cheese can lead to better results. Here's why:
Melting Point
One of the challenges with making homemade cheese sticks is preventing the cheese from melting too quickly. Fresh mozzarella has a lower melting point than string cheese, which means it can turn into a gooey mess before the coating has a chance to cook properly. String cheese, on the other hand, has a higher melting point, allowing you to achieve the desired crispy texture on the outside without the cheese melting too fast.
Ease of Preparation
String cheese is already in the perfect shape for making cheese sticks, saving you time and effort in the kitchen. With fresh mozzarella, you would need to cut it into sticks, which can be a sticky and time-consuming task. String cheese also tends to be drier, making it easier to handle and coat without turning into a sticky mess.
Flavor and Texture
While some people prefer the flavor and texture of fresh mozzarella, others find that it can be too soft and gooey. String cheese provides a firmer texture and a milder flavor that can be more appealing to those who don't like their cheese sticks too rich or overwhelming.
Yield and Cost-Effectiveness
When using block mozzarella, you'll get more sticks out of it compared to a standard package of string cheese. String cheese tends to be more expensive per unit of weight, so using block mozzarella can be a more economical choice if you plan on making a large batch.
Storage and Convenience
String cheese often comes individually wrapped, making it easier to store and use as needed. It also has a longer shelf life than fresh mozzarella, reducing the chances of waste if you don't use it all at once. With string cheese, you can conveniently make a single serving of cheese sticks without worrying about the rest of the cheese going bad.
In conclusion, while fresh mozzarella is a popular choice for cheese sticks, using string cheese can offer several advantages. By considering the melting point, ease of preparation, flavor preferences, yield, and storage options, you can make an informed decision about which cheese to use for your homemade cheese sticks.
Cheese and Scrambled Eggs: The Perfect Pairing
You may want to see also
Freeze cheese before frying
Homemade cheese sticks are a delicious snack, but they can be a little messy to make. The key to success is freezing your cheese before frying it. This is a crucial step that should not be skipped, as it ensures that your cheese sticks are golden and crispy on the outside, and gooey and melty on the inside.
Freezing the cheese before frying it has several benefits. Firstly, it helps to ensure even cooking, preventing the cheese from melting too quickly and leaking out of the breading. By freezing the cheese sticks, you give the shell a chance to brown and crisp up before the cheese gets too hot. This is especially important when deep-frying, as the oil temperature can be difficult to control.
Secondly, freezing the cheese helps to prevent disintegration during frying. When the cheese is frozen, it is less likely to melt and escape through any gaps in the breading. This step is essential to achieving the perfect cheese pull when you bite into your cheese stick.
Finally, freezing your cheese sticks before frying allows you to make a large batch and store them in the freezer for future snacking. Homemade mozzarella sticks can be stored in the freezer for up to two or three months, so you can always have some on hand when the craving strikes.
To freeze your cheese sticks, simply follow these steps:
- Prepare your cheese sticks by coating them with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs.
- Place the coated cheese sticks on a tray in a single layer and put them in the freezer for at least one hour, or preferably longer.
- Once frozen, transfer the cheese sticks to an airtight bag or container and label with the date.
- When you're ready to enjoy your cheese sticks, remove them from the freezer and fry them in hot oil until golden brown.
By following these steps and freezing your cheese before frying, you'll achieve the perfect homemade cheese sticks every time. Enjoy!
Creative Ways to Use Leftover Parmesan Cheese
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Coat cheese in egg, flour, then breadcrumbs
Homemade cheese sticks are a great snack and can be made with a variety of cheeses. Mozzarella is a popular choice, and whole milk mozzarella is recommended for the best flavour and cheese pulls. You can use a block of mozzarella or mozzarella string cheese, which is easier to work with as it melts more slowly than regular cheese.
Now, onto the breading technique! You will need three separate bowls for this process. First, dip the cheese sticks into the flour, shake off any excess, and then dip them into the egg mixture. Next, lift them up so that any excess egg drips back into the bowl. Finally, press the cheese sticks into the breadcrumbs to coat them evenly. Repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps for a thicker coating. Place the coated cheese sticks onto a plate or wire rack and put them in the freezer while the oil heats up.
Heat the oil to between 350°F and 365°F. Fry the cheese sticks in small batches for around 30 seconds to 2 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Do not overcook, or the cheese will leak out. Drain the fried cheese sticks on paper towels and serve immediately with a dipping sauce of your choice. Enjoy!
Mozzarella's Microbial Magic: Unveiling the Bacterial Blend
You may want to see also
Fry, bake, or air fry
Frying
Frying cheese sticks is a quick and easy process. First, prepare three separate bowls for dredging your mozzarella sticks. One bowl with buttermilk, egg, and cayenne pepper, another with flour, and a third with Italian-seasoned Panko crumbs. Dip the cheese sticks into the buttermilk mixture, then the flour, then back into the buttermilk, and finally into the crumbs. Heat a 12-inch skillet with about 2 inches of peanut or vegetable oil to 350°F. Fry the cheese sticks in batches for a couple of minutes, removing them as soon as they turn golden brown. Drain them on a paper towel-lined baking sheet and serve warm with marinara sauce.
Baking
Baking is a healthier alternative to frying, with less grease and fewer calories. Preheat your oven to 400-415°F and line a baking sheet with foil. Prepare three bowls: one with beaten eggs and water, another with flour, and a third with seasoned breadcrumbs, Panko crumbs, melted butter, salt, and pepper. Cut the cheese sticks in half and dredge them in the flour, then the egg mixture, and finally the breadcrumb mixture. Place them on the baking sheet and bake for 9-11-20 minutes, turning halfway, until heated through, crispy, and golden. Serve immediately with marinara sauce.
Air Frying
Air frying is a convenient option that yields crispy and delicious cheese sticks. Prepare three bowls: one with beaten eggs, another with flour, and a third with seasoned Panko breadcrumbs, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and grated parmesan cheese. Cut the cheese sticks in half and dredge them in the flour, then the egg mixture, and finally the breadcrumb mixture. Freeze the cheese sticks for at least an hour. Preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F and spray the fry basket with cooking spray. Add 4-6 sticks in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and the cheese starts to bubble out. Serve with marinara sauce.
Choosing the Right Cheese
Mozzarella is the most commonly used cheese for cheese sticks, but other flavours can be used as well, such as jalapeno for a spicy kick. It is important to use cheese strings instead of regular cheese to prevent the cheese from melting too quickly.
The Ultimate Guide to Adding Brie to Burgers
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The best cheese to use for homemade cheese sticks is mozzarella. It is important to use cheese strings, as they melt differently from regular mozzarella.
To make homemade mozzarella cheese sticks, cut the cheese strings in half and freeze them. Then, dredge the cheese strings in a beaten egg, followed by a flour/cornstarch mixture, back into the egg, and finally into the breadcrumbs. Press the breadcrumbs into each cheese string to ensure an even coating. Freeze for later or fry in hot oil until golden brown.
Many people enjoy mozzarella cheese sticks with a classic marinara sauce. You could also use a bolognese sauce for a meatier option, or homemade ranch.
