Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
- Joe S.
- Aug 4, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 16, 2021
Flavorful and delicious mozzarella cheese sticks that can be fried or baked and are 100% gluten free.
Prep time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Cooking time: 60 seconds to 12 minutes depending on the method you choose.
Serves: 4 to 6 people
Gluten/Soy Free and Ovo-lacto Vegetarian
Who doesn't like a good Mozzarella Cheese Stick? This is a perfect snack for kids and grown-ups alike! Crispy with a smooth cheesy center. Yum!
Per request I decided to roll my sleeves up and come up with a good recipe for homemade gluten free Mozzarella Cheese Sticks. I'll be honest, it took me a couple of tries to get the right consistency, flavor, and frying/baking temperatures and times, but in the end: success!
These require a bit of patience. It is a 3-step process to achieve the crispy exterior yet melted cheese interior of a good cheese stick. Be prepare to make them in advance and freeze them to ensure the best results when ready to cook them.
I have used simple ingredients to make these. I think it helps with the final product. I tried both frying and baking methods and the results are similar in taste but different in appearance.
What is the flavor profile?
Mostly herbal tones. It is savory and crispy.
What ingredients will I need to make this?
Mozzarella string cheese, store-bought gluten free breadcrumbs, grated Parmesano, Italian seasoning, eggs, salt, pepper, and vegetable oil.
What else will I need to make these?
A couple of bowls, a food processor, a baking tray, parchment paper, paper towels, and a skillet for frying.
Can I make any substitutions?
You could make your own gluten free breadcrumbs by toasting gluten free bread in a hot oven, leave it to dry out completely, thus removing all moisture from it, and then putting it through the food processor until reduced to a fine powder.
If you can find gluten free bread crumbs with Italian seasoning, you could use that as well. Just take into considerations that pre-seasoned gluten free breadcrumbs have salt, herbs, and spices added already.
You can also substitute store-bought Italian Seasoning with homemade. Below is the ingredients for it:
3 tablespoons each dried basil, oregano and parsley flakes
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
Also, I recommend a grated Parmesan cheese without any added cellulose. If you can't find one, just get a block of Parmesan and grate it yourself.
INGREDIENTS
12 mozzarella string cheeses (cut in halves)
1 1/2 cup of gluten free breadcrumbs or 4C Gluten Free Panko Plain Crumbs
1/4 cup of Parmesan Cheese (grated)
3 whole eggs
1 1/2 tablespoons of Italian Seasoning
2 teaspoons of salt
1 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
Vegetable oil for frying
Method
Step One: Prep the Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
Lay some parchment paper on a baking tray.
In a food processor, blitz the breadcrumbs with the Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Make sure it all becomes a fine powder. Transfer to a bowl.
In another bowl whisk the eggs. Set aside
Cut the cheese strings in halves. Dip cheese into the eggs and one by one roll in the dry ingredients until coated. Place each coated cheese stick on the baking tray (see figure 1). Once all have been coated, place the tray in the freezer and let it rest for 30 minutes.
Step Two: Freeze the Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
Once the 30 minutes have elapsed, remove from the freezer and drench each cheese stick, one by one, into the eggs and then again into the dry ingredients. Return to baking tray and into the freezer for at least 2 hours.
Step Three: Fry or Bake the Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
If baking, preheat over to 375º F. Once oven is ready, bake for 12 minutes. They will not be golden brown but a pale color.
If frying, add the vegetable oil to a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, fry 4 sticks at a time for 60 seconds. Remove from oil, place on a paper tower to remove excess grease.
Serve while hot with a side of marinara sauce or the tomato sauce of your choice.
Enjoy!!!
Printable PDF Recipe File below:
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