Bushra Griffith
Mozzarella sticks are a beloved snack, but traditional recipes often include breadcrumbs, flour, and other ingredients that are unsuitable for low-carb diets. Fortunately, there are now several options for those seeking low-carb mozzarella sticks, with many recipes available online. These recipes typically use alternative ingredients such as almond flour, coconut flour, and Parmesan cheese to create a crispy coating that mimics the texture and taste of traditional breadcrumbs. This paragraph will explore the topic of where to find and how to make low-carb mozzarella cheese sticks, providing a guide to the various options available for those seeking this popular snack in a low-carb form.
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What You'll Learn
Making low-carb mozzarella sticks at home
Low-carb mozzarella sticks are a healthier, gluten-free, grain-free alternative to traditional fried cheese sticks. They are a delicious and wholesome way to fulfil fried appetizer cravings. They are super easy to make and require just a few ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
Ingredients:
- Mozzarella string cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Egg
- Pork rinds
- Italian seasoning
- Coconut flour
- Oil for frying (optional)
Steps:
First, cut the mozzarella string cheese into halves to make bite-sized pieces. Then, follow the steps below to prepare the breading mixture:
- Place the coconut flour in a small bowl.
- Beat the egg in a second small bowl.
- Mix the almond flour, pork rinds, and Italian seasoning in a third bowl.
- Dredge each piece of mozzarella in coconut flour, dip it in the egg, and then roll it in the almond flour mixture until well coated.
- Place the coated cheese sticks on a lined cookie sheet, ensuring they do not touch each other.
- Freeze the coated cheese sticks for at least an hour before cooking. This is crucial to prevent the cheese from melting and oozing out during cooking.
- Once frozen, you can either bake or fry the cheese sticks.
- If frying, heat cooking oil in a deep fryer to 375°F, carefully dropping the cheese sticks into the oil one by one without splattering. Fry for approximately 45 seconds, turning halfway through, until each side is golden brown.
- If baking, place the coated cheese sticks in an oven preheated to 180°C/350°F for about 10 minutes.
- Serve the mozzarella sticks hot with a low-sugar marinara sauce or ranch dressing on the side.
Tips:
- To ensure a crispy exterior, frying is recommended. However, if you prefer an oil-free option, baking or using an air fryer are also viable methods.
- Avoid overcrowding the frying pan to prevent a drop in temperature, which can result in oily mozzarella sticks.
- Do not overcook the cheese sticks, as this can cause the cheese to become too soft and collapse.
Enjoy your homemade, low-carb mozzarella sticks!
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Buying low-carb mozzarella sticks online
Low-carb mozzarella sticks are a healthier, gluten-free, grain-free alternative to traditional fried cheese sticks. They are usually coated with a mixture of whey protein isolate and grated parmesan, and various spices for flavour. They can be baked or fried, and are often served with a low-sugar marinara sauce or ranch dressing.
You can find low-carb mozzarella sticks at online retailers such as Amazon, or specialist low-carb and keto food retailers like Thrive Market. These products tend to be frozen and will need to be cooked before serving.
When buying low-carb mozzarella sticks, it is important to read the nutrition label carefully to ensure that the product fits your dietary needs. The number of carbs in these products can vary depending on the ingredients used, with some recipes using coatings that add more carbs than others. For example, coatings made with almond flour or coconut flour will have a higher carb count than those using crushed pork rinds, which have zero carbs.
Some online retailers, like Amazon, may offer a wider variety of low-carb mozzarella sticks with different coatings and ingredients, while specialist retailers like Thrive Market may have a more curated selection of products that fit specific dietary needs, such as keto or low-carb diets. It is worth comparing prices and selection between these types of retailers to find the best option for your needs.
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Nutritional information for low-carb mozzarella sticks
Low-carb mozzarella sticks are a healthier, gluten-free, grain-free alternative to traditional fried cheese sticks. They are usually packed with protein, fibre, and calcium.
Some recipes for low-carb mozzarella sticks use a combination of almond flour and ground pork rinds (pork panko) to create a crunchy exterior. The almond flour acts as the initial binding agent, while the pork panko provides an irresistible crunchy texture. This combination ensures that the carbohydrate count remains low.
- Calories: 122kcal
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Protein: 13g
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sodium: 324mg
- Potassium: 88mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Vitamin A: 184IU
- Vitamin C: 1mg
- Calcium: 211mg
- Iron: 1mg
It is important to note that the nutritional information provided above does not include the frying oil. The amount of oil absorbed during frying can vary depending on factors such as the type of oil, temperature, and cooking time. Therefore, it is recommended to calculate the macros for the oil separately and divide them by the number of servings.
Additionally, erythritol and monk fruit carbs are typically not included in the nutritional information as they have a minimal impact on blood sugar. However, individuals with diabetes or other health-related issues may need to calculate net carbs differently, and should seek guidance from a medical professional if needed.
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Dipping sauces for low-carb mozzarella sticks
Low-carb mozzarella sticks are a delicious treat, and there are plenty of dipping sauces to elevate them even further. A classic choice is a marinara sauce, which can be easily made at home with basic ingredients like olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, basil, oregano, sugar, salt, and red pepper flakes. For a store-bought option, Rao's Homemade Marinara is a popular choice. If you're looking for something with a kick, try a spicy diavolo sauce, made with crushed tomatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes, and herbs, or a tangy and spicy buffalo sauce, made with hot sauce, melted butter, and vinegar.
For those who enjoy a creamy dipping sauce, blue cheese is a unique and indulgent option. A honey mustard sauce is another tasty choice, offering a harmonious blend of smooth honey and zesty mustard. If you're a fan of Southwestern flavors, a chipotle sauce made with chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, mayonnaise, and lime juice will bring a smoky heat to your mozzarella sticks.
For a taste of Italy, zesty pesto sauce made with fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil will infuse your mozzarella sticks with aromatic flavors. If you're looking for something lighter, a balsamic reduction is a tangy-sweet option that pairs well with mozzarella sticks and a variety of other dishes.
When preparing low-carb mozzarella sticks, remember to calculate the macros for the frying oil by recording the amount used before and after cooking. The oil's impact on the overall macronutrient profile will depend on the type of oil, temperature, and cooking time. It's also important to note that the nutrition facts for low-carb mozzarella sticks typically do not include the dipping sauce, so be sure to account for that when tracking your macros.
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Other low-carb appetisers
There are many options for low-carb appetisers, including keto mozzarella sticks, which can be made in an air fryer, oven, or on a stovetop. Here are some other appetisers with low carbs:
- Zucchini fries: These are made with a simple Parmesan breading, but you can also use the same breading from the keto mozzarella sticks recipe.
- Mini keto corn dogs: A fun and tasty treat for both kids and adults.
- Low-carb spinach-stuffed mushrooms: These are secretly packed with veggies, making them a delicious and healthy option.
- Keto soft pretzels: These pretzels taste like the real thing, without the carbs.
- Sausage balls: A satisfying and protein-rich option.
- Keto buffalo chicken dip, keto devilled eggs, and keto stuffed mushrooms are also great options for low-carb appetisers.
In addition to these, you can also try keto-friendly Mexican food options like quesadillas, fish taco bowls, and tortilla beef burritos. If you're looking for something simpler, a charcuterie platter with cold cuts, olives, capers, and pickled red onions is a great choice. Oven-baked Brie cheese, salami and cheese chips, and keto cheddar cheese and bacon balls are also tasty low-carb appetisers.
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Frequently asked questions
You can make low-carb mozzarella cheese sticks at home. They are easy to make and require only a few simple ingredients.
You will need string cheese, eggs, oil, and breading. For the breading, you can use a combination of almond flour, coconut flour, Parmesan cheese, and garlic salt.
First, cut the string cheese in half and dredge them in the eggs and breading. Then, fry, bake, or air-fry them until golden brown. You can also freeze the cheese sticks before cooking to prevent the cheese from melting too quickly.
