Description
Crispy golden cheese bites dance with Mediterranean flavors, bringing zesty excitement to snack time. Melted cheese wrapped in golden, crunchy breadcrumbs promises delightful moments that melt in your mouth and spark conversation at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Cheese Ingredient:
- 10 ounces (280 grams) mozzarella string cheese (10 sticks)
Coating Ingredients:
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- Cayenne pepper (to taste)
Cooking Ingredient:
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Transform mozzarella sticks into compact, uniform bite-sized portions, ensuring consistent shape for even cooking.
- Establish three separate preparation zones: first bowl containing flour, second bowl with whisked eggs and milk, third bowl filled with bread crumbs.
- Systematically coat each cheese morsel by first rolling in flour, thoroughly drenching in egg mixture, then generously covering with bread crumbs, creating a complete crispy exterior.
- Preheat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to precisely 350°F, utilizing a cooking thermometer for accurate temperature monitoring.
- Gently submerge breaded cheese morsels into hot oil, working in small batches to maintain optimal oil temperature and prevent overcrowding.
- Fry each batch for approximately 30-45 seconds, rotating periodically to achieve uniform golden-brown coloration and crispy texture.
- Extract fried cheese bites using a slotted spoon, allowing excess oil to drain on layers of absorbent paper towels to preserve crunchiness.
- Serve immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and crispness, potentially accompanied by marinara sauce or preferred dipping condiment.
Notes
- Freezing cheese before coating helps prevent melting during frying, ensuring a crispy exterior and gooey center.
- Use cold, firm mozzarella for best results, as softer cheese might leak out during the frying process.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like cheddar or pepper jack for unique flavor variations.
- Gluten-free alternative: Replace wheat flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free versions or crushed pork rinds for a low-carb option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 332 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 462 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg