Ingredients
Coating Mixture
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Egg Wash
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon water
Breading
- 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Main Ingredient
- 12 ounces low moisture mozzarella cheese, cut into pieces 3-inch x ¾ inch (or 12 oz string cheese cut in half)
Frying
- 1 quart vegetable oil
Serving
- Homemade marinara sauce, for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare the baking sheet: Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. This will be used to freeze the coated cheese sticks before frying.
- Mix dry coating: In a small shallow bowl, combine the flour with sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. This mixture will give the mozzarella sticks a flavorful base layer.
- Prepare egg wash: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs together with 1 tablespoon of water until smooth. This mixture will help the breadcrumbs adhere to the cheese.
- Combine breadcrumb mix: In a third bowl, mix the Panko breadcrumbs with Italian seasoning to add a crispy, seasoned crust.
- Coat the cheese sticks: Take one piece of mozzarella cheese and dip it first into the egg wash, then coat it with the flour mixture. Dip it back into the egg wash once more, and finally coat it thoroughly with the seasoned Panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently so the breadcrumbs stick well. Place the coated cheese stick on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with all remaining cheese pieces.
- Freeze the coated mozzarella sticks: Place the baking sheet with the coated cheese sticks into the freezer and freeze them for 45 minutes. This step is essential to prevent the cheese from melting too quickly during frying.
- Heat the oil: Pour vegetable oil into a large deep pot and heat it over medium-high heat to reach 350°F (175°C), using a deep-fat thermometer to ensure accurate temperature for frying.
- Fry the mozzarella sticks: Remove the frozen cheese sticks from the freezer. Working in small batches, gently lower the coated sticks into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown on all sides, about 2 minutes per batch. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the fried mozzarella sticks and place them on a metal cooling rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil.
- Serve: Serve the mozzarella sticks immediately while hot and gooey with homemade marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Freezing the cheese sticks before frying is crucial to prevent cheese from oozing out during frying.
- Use a deep-fat thermometer to maintain proper frying temperature for the best crispy texture.
- Work in small batches when frying to avoid oil temperature drop.
- Serve immediately for the best gooey and crispy experience.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American