Description
Crispy, golden mozzarella cheese sticks coated with a seasoned breadcrumb mixture and fried to perfection, served hot with ranch dressing and marinara sauce for dipping. A quick and delicious appetizer or snack perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Sticks
- 1 package (16 oz) string cheese
Breading Mix
- 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Wet Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup buttermilk
Coating
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
For Frying
- Oil for frying (about 2 inches deep in skillet)
Serving
- Ranch dressing
- Marinara sauce
- Chopped parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Add about 2 inches of oil to a heavy skillet and heat it to 350°F (175°C) for frying the cheese sticks.
- Prepare breadcrumb mixture: In a shallow bowl or plate, combine the panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Mix well with a fork to evenly distribute the seasonings.
- Prepare flour coating: Place the all-purpose flour into another shallow bowl or plate for easy dredging.
- Make egg wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, salt, black pepper, and buttermilk until smooth. Pour this mixture into another shallow bowl or plate to create an easy-to-dip egg wash.
- Bread the cheese sticks: Dip each string cheese stick first into the egg wash, then into the flour, back into the egg wash, and finally coat with the seasoned breadcrumb mixture. Gently press the breadcrumbs onto the cheese sticks to ensure they stick well.
- Fry the cheese sticks: Carefully add the coated cheese sticks to the hot oil. Fry for about 2 minutes or until they turn golden brown, turning frequently to cook evenly on all sides.
- Serve hot: Remove the fried cheese sticks from the oil and drain on paper towels if desired. Serve immediately with ranch dressing, marinara sauce, and a sprinkle of chopped parsley if using.
Notes
- Ensure oil temperature stays steady at 350°F to prevent cheese from leaking out during frying.
- Work quickly when breading and frying to avoid the cheese melting too soon.
- For a crispier coating, use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs.
- Serve immediately for best taste and texture; cheese sticks are best enjoyed hot and fresh.
- Can be doubled or tripled easily for larger gatherings.
