How Do You Make Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

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Farideh Makes Mozzarella Sticks with Marinara Sauce
  • Cut cheese into long slices approximately 3/8 inch thick.
  • Blend together the flour and cornstarch in a bowl.
  • Place a cheese slice into the flour, then dip into a bowl of whole milk, and then dip into the breadcrumbs.
  • Shake off excess breadcrumbs and place mozzarella stick on a wire rack.
  • Repeat until all cheese sticks have been dipped once. Discard the flour.
  • Place cheese sticks back into milk, then into bread crumbs for the second time, and shake off the bread crumbs.
  • Heat vegetable oil to 350 for frying.
  • Drop a few cheese sticks into hot oil and fry until golden brown. This should take no longer than 1 minute.
  • Remove cheese sticks from the oil and place them on a wire rack.
  • Repeat frying in batches with remaining breaded cheese sticks.
  • Serve with your favorite marinara sauce.

How Do You Make Mozzarella Sticks From Scratch

You can buy these at your favorite restaurant and even already cooked in the freezer section of your grocery store but making them at home is so much better!

The MOST IMPORTANT thing to remember is that you need string cheese sticks NOT regular cheese sticks.

The pull apart string cheese sticks are made so they tear easily which means they melt easily too.

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Ingredient And Recipe Tips

Do not use the buffalo style mozzarella because it will be too soft. Buy brick mozzarella cheese and it will work just fine.

You can use any type of frying oil. Peanut oil is my personal preference. I have used canola, vegetable oil, corn oil, and sunflower oil all with good results.

If you dont have a deep fryer you can use a 2-quart pot. Simply add enough oil to your pot so that it has about three inches of oil.

Only fry a couple of cheese sticks at a time. This will keep the oil from cooling off too much. If the oil cools off too much the cheese sticks will absorb oil and become greasy.

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Tips For Enjoying Your Smoked Mozzarella Cheese

While smoking mozzarella cheese is relatively simple, there are a wide variety of ways to enjoy the finished product. Whether you add it as a compliment to a warm dinner meal or as a tangy flavor burst on a fruity dessert, smoked mozzarella makes all the difference.

Here are a few interesting ways to enjoy your smoked mozzarella cheese:

  • Grate some smoked mozzarella over fresh tacos for a genuine, smoky flavor.
  • For a fruity variation, pair your smoked cheese with tart apples or fresh white grapes.
  • Prepare a cheese board with a variety of pieces of bread, cheeses, and grapes making your smoked mozzarella the main attraction.
  • Smoked mozzarella gives lunch sandwiches a total makeover. Add a few slices of smoked ham for an added smokey flavor.
  • If you thought your homemade pizza was great before, you will be over the moon with the smoked mozzarella addition.

Who Loves Mozz Sticks

Can You Make Mozzarella Sticks with String Cheese?

This next appetizer happens to be a family favorite. Whether were making them at home, or ordering them at a restaurant, the kids especially love mozzarella sticks!

I admit, I may have bought frozen Mozzarella Sticks a time or two, and more often than not, theyre kind of a disappointment.

They either come out soggy, or the breading doesnt have much flavor, or the cheese is rubbery You know what Im talking about.

Well, I decided that was enough of that, and finally learned how to make them homemade. Im so glad I did, because theyre actually pretty quick and easy, and taste WAY BETTER than frozen !

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The Type Of Wood Necessary To Smoke Mozzarella Cheese

To get the richest, smokiest flavor for your mozzarella cheese, its important to use the right type of wood. Robust cuts of cheese will always require a much heavier smoke flavor to compliment it. Different types of wood produce different flavors.

Lets have a look at some of the most popular types of wood:

  • Hickory: Some cheese lovers claim hickory gives smoked cheese a bacon type flavor. While the smoke can be quite pungent, it adds a rich, yet flavorful taste to the cheese.
  • Sugar maple: Imparts a sweet flavor to the mozzarella and is ideally suited if youre going to use your cheese for sweet dishes.
  • Pecan: This is a very common wood for smoking cheese because of the rich flavor it adds to the mozzarella.
  • Alder: Provides a milder smoke if want a smokey taste that isnt too sharp.
  • Cherry, Pear, or Apple: Fruit tree woods are a great option for an extra flavorful smoke. Try them for pretzels as well!
  • Maple: This is one of the most popular woods used for mozzarella smoking. It offers a mild and sweet addition to any tangy cheese.
  • Walnut: This particular wood is strong and can produce a slightly bitter. This particular wood is usually combined with other types of wood to get a milder aroma.

Can I Bake Mozzarella Sticks

Yes, you can make homemade mozzarella sticks without frying, by baking them in the oven. However, I find baked mozzarella sticks have a higher risk of error since you can’t monitor their cooking as closely. You are more likely to end up with melted white blobs than stretchy homemade cheese sticks!

Not to mention, baked mozzarella sticks aren’t all that healthy either. You are still chowing down on big sticks of breaded cheese. Might as well fry them in oil, get better flavor, and have a better chance of them cooking to perfection.

If you still wish to attempt baked mozzarella sticks I recommend freezing the cheese prior to breading and baking them in a 450-degree oven until golden brown and the cheese threatens to ooze out. Freezing the cheese buys you a little more time before you have a melted disaster.

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Smoked Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese

Buffalo mozzarella is creamier and softer than the average version of mozzarella. Many cheese lovers consider it to be more flavorful since its tangier and has a richer aroma.

The process of smoking buffalo mozzarella is a little different. Instead of using charcoal and wood chips, the traditional method involves smoking the cheese over flaming straw for approximately 15 minutes. This creates a light golden brown color on the mozzarella.

Smoked buffalo mozzarella cheese is an acquired taste and is commonly used to complement Italian style pasta dishes such as lasagna, pizza, and bruschetta.

What I Love About These Homemade Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

How to Make Mozzarella Sticks – Homemade Cheese Sticks Recipe

These are made with whole milk mozzarella, and seasoned panko crumbs with a little kick and then baked. In my opinion, these are fancy because they are homemade and not store bought! Also, the whole milk mozzarella makes these cheese sticks super stringy and melty. Who doesn’t love that?!

This recipe is really so easy to make. I buy whole milk mozzarella sticks right at Trader Joe’s . When I get home with them, I put them straight in the freezer until I’m ready to assemble them.

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How Do You Make Mozzarella Sticks

This recipe starts with sticks of string cheese, which are cut in half. Dip each piece of cheese in flour, then coat them in eggs and breadcrumbs. Repeat the process by coating the cheese in a second layer of egg and breadcrumbs. The double coating will prevent the cheese from spilling out during the frying process. Freeze the cheese sticks, then deep fry until just golden brown. Serve immediately with marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

Why This Recipe Works

  • It is so easy! All you need to do is to make your breading stations, dredge the mozzarella sticks twice, then freeze and fry!
  • Make a batch of these cheesy snacks and freeze them for another time. Then you can just deep fry a batch straight from the freezer any time you want to enjoy them. Perfect for those mid-day or late-night cheese cravings!
  • These fried Mozzarella Sticks are one of our favorite appetizers and finger foods for any occasion! You can serve it with a classic marinara sauce on the side or go with other dipping sauce like Tzatziki sauce, BBQ sauce, pizza sauce, or ranch dressing.

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What Type Of Dipping Sauce Is Best For Mozzarella Sticks

Our favorite choice is a classic marinara or pizza sauce for dipping these crispy-on-the-out-side, melty-on-the-inside sticks.

You can serve the marinara sauce cold for a contrast, or heat it up on the stove top or in the microwave if you prefer.

But I also love these with ranch dressing. Because everything goes with ranch, doesnt it?

Does String Cheese Melt

Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

You bet it does. The traditional string cheese is mozzarella cheese. The way they process and heat the cheese makes it so that the proteins in the cheese line up, so you can that easily pull away, making that cool, kid-friendly string cheese.

I modified the recipe a bit but Im thrilled with how great this recipe works. I used panko bread crumbs, which is definitely my favorite type of bread crumb to use. Panko adds a great crunch to any coating. I love it in my Panko Chicken with Garlic Butter Fettuccine and this Garlic Panko Crusted Tilapia Recipe.

I buy string cheese in bulk for the kiddos and will freeze it, pulling out a handful at a time. The recipe I pinned called for prepping the string cheese with flour and then freezing, but I just started with the string cheese frozen making this a quick recipe to pull off.

  • canola oilenough to fill pot one inch

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Cook For 6 To 8 Minutes Until Crispy And Golden Brown

How to make mozzarella sticks in air fryer without freezing. Set the temperature to 400°f if applicable, or press the cheese stick button if not. Coat the mozzarella sticks in egg and panko a second time, then transfer to the air fryer. Bread the cheese sticks as directed, and keep them in the freezer until fully frozen, 2 to 3 hours.

No oil spray is needed. For a slightly crispier outside, use a cooking spray to lightly coat them. However, there are specific tips to keep in mind while air frying them as neglection can explode.

Beat 1 egg and place in a medium size dish, in another dish add the breadcrumbs. Make sure the mozzarella sticks are frozen and firm. Preheat air fryer to 400 f.

Dip each mozzarella stick into the flour, followed by the beaten egg mixture, and then coat with the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure to let them cool a little before eating. Place the covered cheese sticks in the air fryer.

Let the mozzarella sticks cool down fully to room temperature before transferring them to a large freezer bag or airtight container. When the timer goes off, remove the air fryer basket, let the air fryer mozzarella sticks solidify some you can also shape any that might have started to explode.serve with marinara and enjoy! Preheat air fryer to 390°f.

Freeze for up to two months. Prep the air fryer and bread a second time: Place each one on the lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes.

Pin on air fryer

How To Make Mozzarella Sticks By Deep Frying

  • Preheat your oil in a deep fryer, or a pan with a couple of inches of oil that should be enough to fully immerse your mozzarella cheese sticks, to 365 degrees F and set up your dredging station.
  • If you are using string cheese, remove the packaging and cut the cheese sticks in half so that everything is ready to move through the breading process quickly.
  • Roll the mozzarella sticks in the flour for an initial coating, then thoroughly coat them with egg before moving to the crushed croutons. The crouton coating can be applied by rolling the mozzarella sticks in the bowl and then pressing crouton crumbles into any areas that have less covering.
  • Now DO IT AGAIN.
  • Once double coated, set your mozzarella sticks into the fry basket with about an inch between them so that you are frying up to six at a time .
  • Once all of your mozzarella sticks are coated and ready to cook, drop the frying basket down into your preheated oil, or carefully lower each mozzarella stick into your pan if frying on the stove top using a slotted spoon. Since these mozzarella sticks are not frozen, the cooking process will not take long at all.
  • Watch closely as your mozzarella sticks should be golden and cooked in only about 1 minute. Remove from oil and place onto a cooling rack set inside a baking sheet for a quick cool down that allows any excess cooking oil to freely drain off your mozzarella sticks.
  • Allow to stand for 5 minutes to allow the cheese to setup inside the breading.
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    How To Get Rid Of The Smell Of Cooking Oil

    The fried food was delicious while you were eating it, but its less than ideal when you can still smell the cooking oil odors the next day. Here are some ways you can eliminate the smell :

    • Ventilate! As soon as you start heating the oil for frying, turn on the hood vents. Weather permitting, open the windows, too. Air circulation is your friend.
    • Line the area around your workstation with newspaper. It will catch the splatter and help make cleanup easier. But be careful it doesnt get too close to the stove flames!
    • Clean up immediately. As soon as youre done cooking, dispose of the oil , clean the pot you used and clean your stovetop and counters .
    • Simmer some homemade potpourri on the stove. I like to fill a small pot with a couple cups of water, a few tablespoons of vinegar, and an assortment of spices and fruit peels and let it simmer until the water has evaporated to help eliminate the oil odors. Im a big fan of orange and lemon peels with a cinnamon stick.
    • When all else fails, bake! It feels like as good an excuse as any to make a batch of cookies or some banana bread. Your kitchen will smell great, and youll have even more delicious treats.

    As my friend Jim said about these fried sticks of heaven, They have parsley on them. Which basically makes them a salad.

    Obviously thats a jokeor is it?

    After youve made this recipe, please consider coming back to share your experience with others by leaving a comment below with a star rating!

    How To Dispose Of Cooking Oil

    Easy Mozzarella Sticks Recipe: How To Make Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

    First things first, if you know youre going to do more frying soon just save the oil to use again! Let the oil cool, then use a coffee filter or cheesecloth to remove any crumbs, and store in an airtight glass container in a cool, dark place.

    But if youre not saving it for another round, make sure to take the proper steps to discard the oil at home:

    • Pack it and throw it away. Let the oil cool completely, then pour into a non-recycleable container with a lid and throw it in the trash. Examples would be milk cartons, takeout containers, or other plastic or wax-lined paper containers.
    • Pour it in the trash carefully and strategically. Once oil has cooled, slowly pour into the center of your trash can on top of absorbent items like paper towels, or discarded kitty litter. You dont want it to pool into the bottom of the bag, because that could go south.
    • Freeze it and toss it. Pour cooled oil into an old can and place in the freezer. Once its solid, dump it into the trash.

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    How Not To Dispose Of Cooking Oil

    Dont ever do the following:

    • Dont ever pour hot oil anywhere. Always let it cool before you move forward with disposal.
    • Dont pour it down the drain.Any drain. Not the kitchen sink, the toilet, nothin. It could clog the pipes, and also make the water nearly impossible to be treated potentially polluting local sewers.
    • Dont pour it into compost piles. Fats are bad for compost, and oil is nothing but fat.

    How To Make Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

  • Prep your bowls. One for flour mixed with Emerils essence, one for the seasoned breadcrumbs, and the last for the egg-milk mixture.
  • Dip. First, roll the sticks in flour. Using your other hand, submerge them in the egg and milk until coated as well as possible. Lastly, cover them really well with the breadcrumbs. Once all are done, freeze for 20 mins to half an hour on a cookie sheet.
  • Cook the easy marinara. Meanwhile, time to make the dipping sauce! Sauté your aromatics, then add all the ingredients for the tomato sauce. Cook on a hard simmer until reduced, about 15 mins or so. While making the dip, heat your deep-frying oil.
  • Fry. Place them carefully in the hot, preheated oil, then take them out once theyre golden and have formed a crunchy crust.
  • Serve. Enjoy hot with the homemade marinara sauce on the side!
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    Ingredient Substitutions And Variations

    • If you dont have Italian seasoning, just mix some dried parsley, paprika, and oregano. You can also use other herbs and spices that you prefer, like onion, cumin, mustard, thyme, and basil powder.
    • If you want your Mozzarella Sticks with a punch of spiciness, add some chili powder into the breading mix.
    • You can beat the eggs with milk instead of water for better flavor.
    • You can also cut the mozzarella sticks into bite-size pieces to make yummy mozzarella bites. Perfect for kids to enjoy without creating so much mess.
    • The mozzarella sticks can be baked instead of fried if you dont like too much oil in your food.

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