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Fried Cheese Sticks Recipe

Fried Cheese Sticks Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 25 reviews

Crispy, golden fried cheese sticks with a flavorful herb and spice breadcrumb coating. These deep-fried mozzarella and cheddar sticks are perfect as a quick appetizer or snack, served hot with marinara sauce for dipping.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Sticks

  • 16 oz string cheese sticks (mozzarella and cheddar)

Breading Mixture

  • 2 cups Panko bread crumbs (plain or regular Italian bread crumbs)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian Herbs seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Wet Mixture

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)

Other

  • Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil preferred)

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil: Fill a deep frying pan or skillet with about 2 inches of oil and heat over high heat until sizzling, around 350-375°F.
  2. Prepare wet mixture: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, salt, and pepper until fully combined. Set aside.
  3. Prepare breadcrumb mixture: In another shallow bowl, mix the Panko bread crumbs with Italian herbs seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Set aside.
  4. Bread the cheese sticks: Unwrap each string cheese stick. Dip each into the buttermilk mixture, letting excess drip off. Then coat it thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture. For an extra crispy coating, dip it again into the buttermilk and breadcrumb mixtures, repeating the process.
  5. Fry the cheese sticks: Carefully add the breaded cheese sticks to the hot oil. Fry for about 1 minute total, cooking 20-30 seconds on one side and then 20-30 seconds on the other, until the crust is golden brown and crispy.
  6. Drain and serve: Remove the fried cheese sticks with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve immediately with homemade marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

  • Use room temperature buttermilk for better coating adherence.
  • Double dipping in buttermilk and breadcrumbs ensures a crisp crust that holds when frying.
  • Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lower oil temperature and cause soggy coating.
  • Serve immediately for best texture, as cheese sticks harden once cooled.
  • Can substitute string cheese with regular mozzarella sticks.

Nutrition

Keywords: fried cheese sticks, mozzarella sticks, appetizer, snack, crispy cheese, deep-fried cheese

Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/fried-cheese-sticks-recipe/