Description
Crispy and gooey fried cheese sticks made with mozzarella and cheddar, coated in seasoned panko breadcrumbs and perfectly deep-fried to golden brown. A classic American appetizer that's quick to prepare and satisfying to eat, served best with marinara sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese
- 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)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
For Frying
- Oil for frying (about 2 inches depth, suitable for deep frying)
Instructions
- Heat Oil: Fill a deep frying pan or skillet with about 2 inches of oil and heat it over high heat until it is sizzling and reaches approximately 350 degrees F.
- Prepare Wet Mixture: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Set this mixture aside.
- Prepare Breading Mixture: In a separate shallow bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs, Italian herbs seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Mix well and set aside.
- Bread the Cheese Sticks: Unwrap the string cheese sticks. Dip each stick first into the buttermilk mixture, letting excess drip off, then coat completely in the breadcrumb mixture. Quickly dip again in the buttermilk mixture and then again in breadcrumbs for a double coating.
- Deep Fry: Carefully add the breaded cheese sticks to the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry each side for 20-30 seconds until the crust turns golden brown and crispy, about 1 minute total.
- Drain and Serve: Remove the fried cheese sticks using a slotted spoon and place them briefly on paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve immediately with homemade marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Maintain the oil temperature between 350 and 360 degrees F to prevent the cheese from leaking and to achieve a crispy crust.
- Use a high-quality deep-frying or candy thermometer clipped to the pan to monitor oil temperature accurately.
- Freeze the cheese sticks for one hour before breading to help them hold shape during frying.
- Double bread the sticks by dipping twice in wet and dry mixtures for an extra crispy coating.
- Allow excess coating to drip off before dipping to avoid clumps and sogginess.
- Fry in small batches to give cheese sticks plenty of room and prevent crowding, which leads to soggy crusts.
- Keep cooked sticks warm by placing them in a 200 degrees F oven on a rack while finishing the rest.
- Use a freezer bag for breadcrumb coating to reduce mess and improve efficiency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cheese stick
- Calories: 197 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
