AmericanMozzarella sticks
Mozzarella sticks: crunchy breaded fingers of mozzarella fried until molten, with marinara for dipping
Mozzarella sticks are the appetiser of American diners, bowling alleys and family pizza restaurants, and a must-have on game nights from New Jersey to Ohio. Sticks of firm mozzarella are coated twice in egg and seasoned breadcrumbs, frozen, then fried so the crust turns crunchy just as the cheese inside melts into long strings. They contain milk, egg and wheat. Mozzarella is often made with animal rennet, so look for a rennet-free one if needed. Serve hot with warm marinara sauce. The classic mistake is frying the sticks unfrozen: the cheese melts and bursts through the coating before the outside has crisped. Freeze them for at least an hour, and fry only a few at a time so the oil stays hot. Hot oil is dangerous, so keep children away and never leave the pan. Chef's tip: use low-moisture block mozzarella, not fresh balls in water, which leak and spit.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Serves
- 4
- Per serving
- 480 kcal
Ingredients
- 12 oz low-moisture mozzarella block (rennet-free if needed)cut into 12 sticks about 1.5 cm thick
- 2 ⅛ oz plain flour
- 2 eggslarge
- 1 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 litre neutral oilfor deep-frying
- 1 cup marinara or tomato pasta saucewarmed, to serve
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Set out three shallow bowls: 2 ⅛ oz plain flour in the first, 2 eggs beaten with 1 tbsp milk in the second, and 4 oz fine dried breadcrumbs or panko mixed with 1 tsp dried Italian herbs and ½ tsp garlic powder in the third.
Step 2: Roll each stick of 12 oz low-moisture mozzarella block (rennet-free if needed) in flour, then egg, then crumbs. Dip it back into the egg and the crumbs a second time, pressing so every bit of cheese is sealed.
Step 3: Lay on a lined tray and freeze for at least 1 hour, until firm. You can freeze them for up to a month in a bag.
60 minStep 4: Heat 1 litre neutral oil in a deep, heavy pan to 350°F, filling it no more than a third full. A cube of bread should turn golden in about 40 seconds.
8 minStep 5: Fry the frozen sticks 4 at a time for 60–90 seconds, until deep golden. Lift out as soon as the crust is coloured, before the cheese breaks through.
2 minStep 6: Drain on kitchen paper and serve straight away with 1 cup marinara or tomato pasta sauce for dipping.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 480 kcal
- Protein
- 25 g
- Carbs
- 33 g
- Fat
- 27 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does mozzarella sticks take?
- About 30 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
- What can I use instead of eggs?
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
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