Frying Cheese Sticks: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Making cheese sticks in a deep fryer is a relatively simple process, but it does require some preparation. The first step is to cut the mozzarella into sticks of around 3/4 inch thickness. Next, you'll need three separate bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and another with breadcrumbs. You can also add spices to the flour and breadcrumbs for extra flavour. Then, coat each mozzarella stick first in flour, then in the egg, and finally in the breadcrumbs. You can repeat this process to ensure the coating is even and thick. After that, you can start frying! Heat oil in a deep fryer or a heavy saucepan to around 365-375 degrees Fahrenheit. Fry the coated cheese sticks for about 30 seconds to a minute, or until they turn golden brown. Finally, drain the fried cheese sticks on paper towels and serve with your favourite dipping sauce.

Preparing the cheese sticks

Ingredients

• 1 lb mozzarella cheese, cut into 3/4-inch thick sticks
• 1 heaping spoonful of dried oregano (optional)
• 3 bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs (and oregano, if using)
• Oil for deep frying

Method

• Set up your breading station by pouring the flour into one bowl, the beaten eggs into a second, and the breadcrumbs and oregano (if using) into a third.
• Use one hand to handle the cheese sticks while they are dry and the other hand while they are wet. This will stop your hands from becoming breaded.
• Dredge a mozzarella stick in flour and shake off any excess.
• Dip the stick into the egg mixture, then coat well with the breadcrumbs.
• Repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps to double-coat the cheese stick.
• Place the breaded mozzarella stick on a plate or wire rack and repeat with the remaining sticks.
• Leave the breaded cheese sticks to rest for a few minutes. This will help the breadcrumbs to adhere.
• Preheat your deep fryer to 365-375°F.
• Fry 3-4 mozzarella sticks at a time until golden brown and crispy. This should take around 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Remove the cheese sticks from the oil and drain on paper towels.
• Repeat with the remaining mozzarella sticks.

Tips

• You can use string cheese to save time as it comes in pre-portioned sticks.
• For extra flavour, you can add black pepper and garlic powder to the breadcrumbs.
• If you don't have a deep fryer, you can use a cast-iron skillet or heavy saucepan.
• Make sure you use a vegetable oil with a high smoke point, such as canola oil.
• If you want to freeze your cheese sticks for later, place them in an airtight container or zip-top bag and freeze for up to three months.

Preparing the breading

Set up a standard breading station by pouring the flour into one bowl, whisking the eggs and water (or milk) in a second bowl, and mixing the breadcrumbs, garlic salt (or powder) and oregano in a third bowl. You can also add black pepper to the breadcrumb mixture.

Some recipes recommend adding a second coating by dipping the cheese sticks in the egg and then the breadcrumbs again. This double coating offers maximum crunch and structure to stand up to frying.

To keep your hands from becoming breaded, use one hand to handle the sticks while they are dry and the other hand while they are wet. Dredge the mozzarella sticks in the flour first, then shake off any excess before adding to the egg mixture. Coat well with the egg, drain well, then toss into the breadcrumbs. Coat well and then let rest.

It is best to bread all the sticks once, then go back and bread them all again, and then a third time. A few minutes' rest in between coats will help the breadcrumbs adhere.

Coating the cheese sticks

To coat the cheese sticks, you'll need three separate bowls. In the first bowl, mix flour with cornstarch (optional). In the second bowl, whisk together eggs and a little water or milk. In the third bowl, mix breadcrumbs with dried herbs and spices of your choice, such as oregano, garlic salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

Now you're ready to start coating! First, dredge each mozzarella stick in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dip the stick into the egg mixture, making sure it's well-coated, and allowing any excess to drip back into the bowl. Finally, toss the stick into the breadcrumbs, coating it well.

For the best results, it's recommended to double-coat the cheese sticks. After the first round of coating, let the sticks rest for a few minutes before repeating the process: dredge in flour, dip in the egg, and toss in the breadcrumbs. This second coating will ensure a crispier, crunchier texture.

Some recipes also suggest freezing the coated cheese sticks for a few hours or overnight before frying. This helps the coating adhere and reduces the risk of the cheese melting too quickly during frying, resulting in a mess.

Once you've finished coating all the cheese sticks, you're ready to start frying!

Frying the cheese sticks

Before frying your cheese sticks, it is important to ensure that they have been thoroughly coated in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, and have been left to rest for a few minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to adhere. It is also a good idea to freeze the cheese sticks for at least an hour, or up to 24 hours, before frying. This will help to prevent the cheese from melting too quickly and leaking out of the coating.

When you are ready to fry, heat your oil in a heavy saucepan or skillet to around 350-375°F. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature, as it is important to keep the oil at the right temperature. You will need at least a couple of inches of oil in your pan. Canola oil or another vegetable oil with a high smoke point is recommended.

Once your oil is hot, carefully lower 3-4 cheese sticks into the pan using a spider spoon or tongs. Fry the cheese sticks for around 30 seconds to 2 and a half minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy. Be careful not to overcook them, as the cheese will melt and leak out.

Remove the cheese sticks from the oil and drain them on paper towels to absorb any excess grease. Season with salt while they are still hot, if desired. Repeat the process until all your cheese sticks are fried.

Serve your cheese sticks hot with your choice of dipping sauce. Marinara sauce is a classic pairing, but you could also try ranch dressing, Sriracha Aioli, BBQ sauce, or garlic aioli.

Serving the cheese sticks

When it comes to serving your homemade cheese sticks, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure they taste great and stay safe to eat.

Firstly, it's important to drain the fried cheese sticks on paper towels to absorb any excess oil. This will prevent them from becoming soggy and will also help to keep the texture of the coating crisp and crunchy.

Secondly, cheese sticks are best served hot and fresh. If you need to keep them warm for a short period before serving, place them in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. For refrigerated cheese sticks, heat for about 5 minutes, and for frozen cheese sticks, heat at 450 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes.

Finally, cheese sticks are commonly served with a dipping sauce. Marinara sauce is a classic choice, but you can also get creative with other options such as Sriracha Aioli, BBQ Sauce, Garlic Aioli, or even a drizzle of honey and some black pepper.

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days, or freeze them for up to three months. Reheat them slowly in the oven to ensure the cheese melts evenly.

Frequently asked questions