Ingredients
Coating Mixture
- 1 ½ cups (90 g) plain gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs or plain gluten-free breadcrumbs (such as 4C gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs)
- 3 teaspoons (3 g) Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon (1 g) garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon (1.5 g) table salt
- ⅓ cup (33 g) grated parmesan cheese (for dairy-free, use Follow Your Heart dairy-free grated Parmesan cheese)
Breading Station
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose gluten-free flour
- ¼ cup (30 g) corn starch
Main Ingredient
- 6 mozzarella string cheese sticks (168 g total; brand suggestion: Great Value from Walmart; for dairy-free use Miyokos Cashew Milk Mozzarella sliced into small pieces)
Frying
- Vegetable oil for frying (peanut oil preferred; canola or corn oil can be used as alternatives)
Instructions
- Prepare the coating mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine the gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, table salt, and grated parmesan cheese. Mix well to make a seasoned breadcrumb mixture.
- Set up the breading stations: In separate shallow bowls, place the gluten-free flour in one, beat the 2 large eggs in another, and put the corn starch in the third bowl. This setup will be used to coat the mozzarella sticks in three steps to ensure a thick and crispy crust.
- Cut mozzarella sticks: Slice each mozzarella string cheese stick into halves or thirds if desired for bite-sized pieces. This also helps in even frying and ease of handling.
- Coat mozzarella sticks: First, dredge each mozzarella piece in the gluten-free flour, shaking off excess. Then dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, roll it thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere well. For an extra crispy coating, repeat the egg and breadcrumb step once more.
- Chill the coated mozzarella: Place the breaded mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them for at least 1 hour. This step is crucial to prevent the cheese from melting too quickly and leaking during frying.
- Heat the oil: In a deep frying pan or deep fryer, heat vegetable oil (about 2-3 inches deep) to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to maintain consistent temperature for optimal frying.
- Fry the mozzarella sticks: Carefully place the chilled breaded mozzarella sticks into the hot oil in batches without overcrowding. Fry for about 1-2 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Turn occasionally for even cooking.
- Drain and serve: Using a slotted spoon, remove the mozzarella sticks from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve immediately with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Freezing the coated mozzarella sticks before frying is essential to prevent cheese from leaking out during cooking.
- For dairy-free adaptations, use dairy-free parmesan cheese and mozzarella alternatives as suggested.
- Peanut oil or other neutral oils with high smoke points are best for frying to achieve crispiness without burning.
- Keep an eye on oil temperature; if it’s too hot, breadcrumbs will burn before cheese melts, too low and sticks may absorb excess oil.
- These mozzarella sticks are best enjoyed fresh for optimal crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
