Gooey Cheese Sticks (Fried or Baked)
User Reviews
4.9
Gooey Cheese Sticks (Fried or Baked)
Description
Gooey Cheese Sticks (Fried or Baked) uses mozzarella string cheese cut and frozen to maintain shape during cooking. The coating involves a mix of all-purpose flour, cornstarch, Italian and panko breadcrumbs combined with an egg and olive oil wash. After a double dredging process, the cheese sticks are fried briefly at 350°F until crisp and lightly browned. The freezing step prevents the cheese from leaking out, resulting in a satisfying crispy shell with molten cheese inside. Serve the cheese sticks hot alongside warm pasta sauce for dipping, making a snack or appetizer that highlights crispy texture and gooey cheese.
The careful preparation of the coating and the freezing time ensures minimal cheese leakage and optimal texture contrast. The method can be adapted to baking if preferred, but frying is traditional for best results. Monitor cooking closely to avoid overcooking which can cause cheese to ooze excessively.
Ingredients
- 16 mozzarella cheese must be string cheese, strings
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 2 egg
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- ¾ cup Italian bread crumbs
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- neutral cooking oil for frying, generic cooking oil
Instructions
- Open the cheese strings and cut each in half. Cover and place in the freezer for at least 2 hours or until completely frozen.
- Combine flour and cornstarch in a small bowl. Combine the Italian and Panko bread crumbs in a separate shallow dish. In third small bowl, whisk eggs and olive oil until well combined.
- Dip each cheese stick half into the egg mixture and then gently roll into the flour mixture.
- Put back into the egg mixture and roll until coated. Finally, place into the bread crumbs pressing the crumbs on each piece of cheese to make sure it's coated all around so the cheese doesn't leak out.
- Place in the freezer while the oil preheats. Preheat oil to 350°F. It should be hot enough that a few crumbs dropped into the oil will bubble.
- In small batches, place breaded cheese sticks into the hot oil for about 2 minutes or just until browned. Do not overcook or the cheese will leak out.
- Serve hot with warm pasta sauce.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 32Cheese Sticks
Amount Per Serving
Calories 77 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cheese stick | |
| Calories | 77 | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 5g | 2% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 17mg | 6% |
| Sodium | 141mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 13mg | 0% |
| Vitamin A | 15IU | 0% |
| Calcium | 18mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.3mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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