Fried Mozzarella Cheese Stick Bites Recipe
Crispy and gooey Fried Mozzarella Cheese Stick Bites coated in a seasoned crunchy crust. Perfect as a delicious appetizer or snack, these bites are golden-fried to perfection and served with a savory marinara dipping sauce and fresh parsley garnish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 minute
- Total Time: 21 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese
- 1 lb block mozzarella cheese, cut into 1–2 inch cubes
Breading
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 (5 oz) bag seasoned croutons, finely crushed
- 1/2 cup Italian seasoned panko bread crumbs
Frying
- Vegetable oil for frying
To Serve
- Marinara sauce for dipping (optional)
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Flour: In a bowl, add the all-purpose flour and set aside. This will be the first coating for the cheese cubes.
- Mix Egg Wash: In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until the mixture is uniform in color. This helps the breading stick.
- Prepare Crouton and Panko Mixture: In a final bowl, mix the crushed seasoned croutons and Italian seasoned panko together thoroughly and set aside.
- Coat Cheese Cubes with Flour: Take each mozzarella cube and coat it in the flour, shaking off any excess flour to avoid clumping.
- Dip Cheese in Egg Wash: Transfer the floured cheese cubes into the egg mixture, allowing the egg wash to soak into the flour coating fully.
- Drain Excess Egg: Remove the cheese cubes from the egg wash and let any excess drip off to prevent sogginess in the final coating.
- Coat with Crouton-Panko Mixture: Roll and press the cheese cubes firmly into the crouton and panko mixture, ensuring every side is completely covered for maximum crunch.
- Heat Oil and Fry: Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Carefully fry the coated cheese cubes for about 20-30 seconds until they turn golden brown. Fry in small batches and test with one or two pieces first.
- Drain and Cool: Remove fried bites and place them on paper towels set on a cooling rack to drain excess oil and keep them crispy.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot with marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Use fresh mozzarella for best melting and taste.
- Ensure oil is hot enough before frying to prevent soggy coating.
- Fry in small batches to maintain oil temperature and avoid overcrowding.
- The breading can be made gluten-free by substituting gluten-free flour, croutons, and panko.
- Serve immediately after frying for best texture and taste.
Keywords: mozzarella cheese bites, fried cheese sticks, appetizer recipe, crispy cheese bites, Italian appetizer, fried snacks