5 from 27 votes
Fried Cheese Sticks
Fried Cheese Sticks are crispy, golden-brown snacks made by coating mozzarella and cheddar string cheese in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture and quickly deep frying them. The double-dip technique with buttermilk and panko results in a crunchy crust that contrasts with the melted, stretchy cheese inside. They are best served immediately while hot and gooey, often alongside a tangy marinara sauce for dipping.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings:
12
cheese sticks
Calories:
197 kcal
Course:
Appetizer
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 16 oz string cheese I used mozzarella and cheddar
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs or regular Italian bread crumbs, plain
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika or regular
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper ground
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup buttermilk room temperature
- cooking oil for frying
Instructions
- Fill a deep frying pan or skillet with about 2 inches of oil and heat over high heat until sizzling.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- In a separate shallow bowl, mix bread crumbs with Italian Herbs seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Unwrap the string cheese sticks. Dip each one into the buttermilk mixture, let excess liquid drip, then toss in the breadcrumbs mixture, then quickly again in the buttermilk mixture, and lastly again in breadcrumbs.
- Add to the pan with hot oil. Deep fry for ONLY about 1 minute total, cooking 20-30 seconds on one side and 20-30 seconds on the other side, just until the crust is golden brown.
- Place fried cheese sticks on paper towels briefly to drain excess oil, then serve immediately with a homemade marinara sauce for dipping.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
197kcal
(10%)
Carbohydrates
9g
(3%)
Protein
10g
(20%)
Fat
9g
(14%)
Saturated Fat
5g
(25%)
Cholesterol
38mg
(13%)
Sodium
445mg
(19%)
Potassium
59mg
(1%)
Fiber
0g
(0%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
145IU
(3%)
Calcium
70mg
(7%)
Iron
0.6mg
(3%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12 cheese sticks
Amount Per Serving
Calories 197
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 197kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 9g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 38mg | 13% |
| Sodium | 445mg | 19% |
| Potassium | 59mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 0g | 0% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 145IU | 3% |
| Calcium | 70mg | 7% |
| Iron | 0.6mg | 3% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.