Emilie Meyer
Mozzarella is a popular cheese for frying, and it can be cooked in a pan in a variety of ways. Frying mozzarella is a delicate process as the cheese can quickly melt and ooze out of its casing. However, with careful preparation and the right tools, it is possible to achieve a golden brown crust on the outside while maintaining a soft and gooey cheese inside. This can be done by coating the cheese in a variety of breading options, such as flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs, and frying it in oil at a temperature of around 350°F for 90 seconds to two minutes on each side. The fried mozzarella can then be served with a range of sauces and garnishes, such as marinara, basil, and Parmesan cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of mozzarella | Fresh mozzarella, pre-sliced |
| Thickness of slices | 1/2-inch-thick |
| Breading | Flour, cornstarch, egg wash, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, basil |
| Oil temperature | Medium-high heat, 350 F |
| Oil type | Olive oil, cooking oil |
| Cooking time | 90 seconds to 3 minutes per side, until golden brown |
| Serving suggestions | Marinara sauce, red sauce, basil, Parmesan cheese, avocado, lettuce, balsamic vinegar, plum chutney, ciabatta, focaccia |
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What You'll Learn
Pan-fried mozzarella moons
Ingredients
- Mozzarella cheese
- Flour
- Eggs
- Breadcrumbs
- Cornstarch (optional)
- Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, basil, or red pepper flakes (optional)
- Cooking oil
- Fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Cut the mozzarella into half-inch-thick rounds or slices.
- Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, salt, and pepper; one with an egg wash; and one with breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and any desired seasonings.
- Dredge the mozzarella pieces in flour, then dip them in the egg wash, and finally coat them with the seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Place the breaded mozzarella on a cutting board or baking sheet while you prepare the rest.
- Heat enough cooking oil in a large skillet or frying pan to liberally coat the bottom of the pan. You can use olive oil or any oil with a low smoke point. Heat the oil to 350°F (177°C).
- Carefully place the mozzarella slices in the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for approximately 90 seconds to two minutes per side, or until each side is golden brown.
- Use a flexible utensil like a fish spatula to carefully flip the mozzarella over. The melted cheese inside is delicate, so take care not to break the crust.
- Once both sides are golden brown, remove the fried mozzarella from the pan and place it on a paper towel-lined plate or a cooling rack.
- Serve immediately. Pan-fried mozzarella goes well with a warm marinara sauce or balsamic vinegar dressing and fresh basil.
Tips
- You can double-dip the mozzarella in the egg wash and breadcrumbs for a thicker crust.
- Freeze the breaded mozzarella for 30 minutes before frying to help the crust stay intact during frying.
- If you're serving a crowd, you can make a large batch and freeze the fried mozzarella. Reheat in a toaster oven or a preheated oven at 300°F (149°C) for 5-10 minutes.
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Pan-fried mozzarella parcels
Ingredients
- Mozzarella cheese
- Breadcrumbs
- Cornstarch
- Eggs
- Flour
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Oil for frying
- Lettuce
- Avocado
- Balsamic vinegar
- Plum chutney
- Ciabatta or focaccia
Method
First, cut the mozzarella into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Set up three shallow dishes: one with cornstarch, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs. Dip each mozzarella round into the cornstarch, coating both sides, then dip it into the eggs, letting the excess drip off, and finally, dredge it in the breadcrumbs. Place the coated mozzarella pieces on a parchment paper-lined cutting board or baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes.
Next, pour about an inch of cooking oil into a frying pan and heat to 350°F. Add the coated mozzarella pieces to the pan, frying for 90 seconds to two minutes on each side, or until each side is golden brown. Be careful, as the cheese will fry very quickly! Use a flexible utensil like a fish spatula to flip the parcels, as they are delicate and the cheese may start to ooze out.
While the mozzarella is cooking, arrange small piles of lettuce on four plates and add a few slices of peeled, stoned, and sliced avocado.
Once the mozzarella parcels are golden brown, remove them from the pan and place three on each plate. Pour balsamic vinegar into the pan and stir to combine with the cooking juices. Drizzle the warm dressing over the leaves and parcels. Serve with plum chutney and slices of ciabatta or focaccia.
Tips
- If you want to get fancy, you can add some Italian seasoning and shredded parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs for extra flavour.
- You can also serve the mozzarella parcels with a side of heated red sauce or marinara sauce and fresh basil.
- Don't let the fried mozzarella sit for too long after cooking, as the cheese will harden and not taste as good.
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Pan-seared crusted mozzarella with tomatoes and arugula
This recipe is a twist on the Caprese Salad. It is a happy food memory and is a fancy yet easy-to-make dish.
Ingredients
- Mozzarella
- Tomatoes
- Arugula
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper
- Egg
- Bread crumbs
- Oregano
Method
- Cut the mozzarella into 1-inch cubes or 1/2-inch-thick rounds.
- Dredge the mozzarella slices into the egg wash and then coat with the bread crumbs. You can do this twice if you want more crumbs to stick to the cheese.
- Place a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add enough olive oil to liberally coat the bottom of the pan.
- When the oil is hot but not smoking, add the cheese slices. Don’t overcrowd the pan or it will lower the temperature and the crust will not turn golden.
- When the cheese turns golden on the bottom side, flip it over and brown the other side. Remove the mozzarella from the pan immediately and place it on the prepared plates.
- Top with fresh arugula (or any other salad greens) that has been tossed in oil and balsamic vinegar and seasoned with salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle with fresh oregano, or 1-2 teaspoons dried oregano.
- Serve hot.
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Beer-battered mozzarella
Yes, you can cook mozzarella in a pan. In fact, there are several ways to cook mozzarella in a pan, one of which is to make beer-battered mozzarella sticks or balls.
To make beer-battered mozzarella, you will need the following ingredients:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Beer (a dark beer will add a deep malty sweetness, but any light lager or pale ale works great)
- Egg
- Oil for frying (use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable or canola oil)
- Mozzarella
First, make the batter by whisking together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and beer in a bowl. The batter should be smooth and free of lumps, with a consistency similar to pancake batter. You can adjust the thickness by adding more flour or beer as needed. Let the batter rest for about an hour. Then, add an egg to the mixture and whisk to combine.
Next, prepare your mozzarella sticks or balls by dredging them in flour until fully coated (this helps the batter stick to the cheese). Dip the cheese into the batter, ensuring it is completely covered.
Heat about 2 inches of oil to 375°F (190°C) in a deep frying pan. To test if the oil is hot enough, drop a small bit of batter into the oil; if it sizzles and turns golden, you're ready to start frying. Carefully drop the battered cheese into the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry for about 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
Remove the fried mozzarella from the oil with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces, such as marinara, ranch, or garlic aioli. Enjoy!
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Mozzarella cooking time and temperature
Mozzarella is a popular cheese for cooking, whether it's pan-fried, baked, or made from scratch. Here are the ideal cooking times and temperatures for mozzarella:
Pan-Fried Mozzarella
When frying mozzarella, it's essential to work quickly as the cheese cooks in just a minute or two on each side. Here are the steps to fry mozzarella:
- Cut the mozzarella into 1/2-inch thick rounds.
- Coat the cheese with cornstarch, then dip it in egg, and finally dredge it in breadcrumbs.
- Freeze the coated mozzarella for about 30 minutes.
- Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the mozzarella to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Remove the mozzarella from the pan once the cheese starts to ooze out and serve immediately.
Baked Mozzarella
Baking mozzarella in the oven or under a broiler is another delicious option. Here are the general steps and temperatures for baking mozzarella:
- Use a cast-iron skillet and preheat the oven to 350-400°F (180-200°C).
- Place the mozzarella in the skillet and bake for 5-10 minutes until browned and bubbly.
- For an appetizer, spread cherry jam at the bottom of the skillet, add torn fresh mozzarella, and broil for about 5 minutes.
Making Fresh Mozzarella
Making mozzarella from scratch is a temperature-sensitive process. Here are the key temperatures to follow:
- Use non-homogenized milk pasteurized at 170°F (77°C) or lower.
- Heat the milk over medium heat until it reaches 90°F (32°C).
- Add the rennet mixture and stir for 30 seconds.
- Cover and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Cut the milk gel into 1/2-inch square curds.
- Cook the curds over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the temperature reaches 105°F (41°C).
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Frequently asked questions
First, cut the mozzarella into 1/2-inch thick slices or sticks. Then, dredge the slices in flour, dip them in egg wash, and coat them with breadcrumbs. Next, heat oil in a pan over medium to medium-high heat. Place the mozzarella slices in the pan and fry for 90 seconds to 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Serve immediately.
Pan-fried mozzarella can be served with a side of warm marinara sauce and garnished with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese. It can also be served with a salad of lettuce, avocado, balsamic vinegar, plum chutney, and slices of ciabatta or focaccia.
You can use fresh mozzarella or pre-sliced mozzarella for pan-frying. If you are making your own mozzarella, it is recommended to slice it into 1/2-inch thick pieces.
Yes, you can reheat pan-fried mozzarella in the oven. Place the leftover pieces on a greased baking sheet and warm them in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-10 minutes.
