Homemade cheese sticks are a delicious snack or appetizer that can be baked, fried, or air-fried. They are made with mozzarella cheese, coated in a breading of flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs, and then cooked until the outside is crispy and the cheese is melted. The key to making successful cheese sticks is to freeze the cheese before cooking, which helps to prevent the cheese from leaking out during the cooking process.
Baking is a healthier alternative to frying cheese sticks, and it can be done in a conventional oven, convection oven, or air fryer. To bake cheese sticks, arrange them on a baking sheet, spray with cooking spray, and bake at a high temperature (around 400-475°F) for 7-11 minutes, or until the crumbs are crisp and the cheese is melted.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Prep Time | 20-30 minutes |
Cook Time | 3-20 minutes |
Total Time | 1 hour 10 minutes - 3 hours 40 minutes |
Oven Temperature | 350-475°F |
Oven Rack Position | Top third or lower third |
Cheese | Mozzarella |
Cheese Type | Block or string cheese |
Cheese Quantity | 16-24 sticks |
Cheese Stick Dimensions | 4-inch by 1/2-inch or 3-inch by 1/2-inch |
Freezer Time | 2 hours - overnight |
What You'll Learn
How to prepare the cheese
The first step in preparing the cheese is to decide what type of cheese you want to use. Mozzarella is the most popular choice for cheese sticks, but you can also experiment with other cheeses like gouda or smoked cheddar. If you choose to use mozzarella, it is recommended to use low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella cheese as it melts better and helps keep the cheese from leaking out. You can use either a block of mozzarella or mozzarella string cheese, which is more convenient and can be easily found in stores.
Once you have your cheese, you will need to cut it into sticks. If using a block of mozzarella, use a sharp knife to cut it into sticks just under 1/2" thick and about 3" long. This should give you around 20-24 cheese sticks. If using string cheese, simply cut each piece of cheese in half crosswise so that you have shorter pieces that can be easily baked.
After cutting the cheese into sticks, it is important to freeze them. This helps the cheese retain its shape and prevents it from melting too quickly during the baking process. Place the cheese sticks in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate and freeze them until they are completely solid, which usually takes about 1-2 hours.
Now comes the dredging process, which will give your cheese sticks a delicious crispy coating. Set up three bowls for the dredging process: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs. You can use regular all-purpose flour for this step. For the eggs, beat them together with a fork or whisk, and you can also add a small amount of water to make the egg wash. As for the breadcrumbs, you can use Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs or a combination of Italian-seasoned and whole wheat breadcrumbs for extra crunch. Additionally, you can add some garlic powder or Italian seasoning to your breadcrumbs for extra flavour.
Take each cheese stick and coat it first in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, making sure it is well coated. Finally, roll the cheese stick in the breadcrumbs until it is evenly coated on all sides. Repeat this process for all the cheese sticks. It is important to work in small batches to ensure that the cheese sticks are properly coated.
After dredging, place the cheese sticks back in the freezer for at least 2 hours or overnight. This step is crucial, as it ensures that the cheese sticks retain their shape and the breadcrumbs turn golden during baking.
Baking Rainbow Trout: Timing Tips
You may want to see also
The breading process
Step 1: Prepare the Breading Station
Get three separate shallow bowls. In the first bowl, whisk together flour and cornstarch or garlic salt. In the second bowl, beat eggs with a fork, adding a small amount of water to create an egg wash. The water helps the egg coat the cheese sticks evenly. In the third bowl, add your breadcrumbs, which can be seasoned with Italian herbs, garlic powder, or other spices of your choice. You can also use plain breadcrumbs and add your own seasonings to the mix.
Step 2: Cut the Cheese
Use a sharp knife to cut your block of mozzarella cheese into sticks. The size of the sticks can vary, but aim for something between 1/2-inch thick and 3-4 inches long. If you're using string cheese, cut each piece in half crosswise to create shorter sticks. Freezing the cheese before cutting will make this process easier and reduce the chance of the cheese crumbling.
Step 3: Coat the Cheese Sticks
Take each cheese stick and dip it first into the flour mixture, making sure to shake off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, ensuring the stick is fully coated. Repeat this process, dipping the stick back into the flour and then the egg mixture. This double-dipping method ensures a robust coating that will prevent the cheese from leaking during cooking. Finally, roll the stick in the breadcrumbs, turning it until all sides are evenly coated.
Step 4: Freeze the Breaded Cheese Sticks
Place the breaded cheese sticks on a baking sheet or tray and cover them with plastic wrap. Freeze for at least two hours, or even overnight. This step is crucial, as it ensures the cheese is cold enough before frying, preventing it from melting too quickly and leaking out.
Step 5: Optional Second Breading
For an even thicker and crispier coating, you can repeat the breading process by dipping the cheese sticks back into the egg mixture and then the breadcrumbs. This will create a triple-layer coating, ensuring an extra crispy shell and reducing the chances of cheese leakage.
Step 6: Final Freeze
After breading, place the cheese sticks back in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to an hour before frying. This final freeze ensures the cheese is completely solid and reduces the chances of melting and leakage during frying.
Big Baked Potato Perfection
You may want to see also
Cooking methods
Frying
Deep frying is the most common method for cooking cheese sticks and produces the crispiest exterior. The best results come from using an oil with a high smoke point, such as extra light olive oil, vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil.
To fry cheese sticks, first, set up your breading station with three bowls. The first bowl should contain flour mixed with garlic salt, the second bowl should contain beaten eggs, and the third bowl should contain breadcrumbs. Cut the cheese into sticks, then dip each stick first in the flour, then the egg, then repeat this process for a double-dip method that ensures a well-breaded cheese stick. Finally, roll the sticks in the breadcrumbs. Transfer the breaded cheese sticks to a baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
When you are ready to fry, heat 2 cups of oil in a deep pan over medium heat until the temperature reaches 350ºF. You can test the temperature by sprinkling a pinch of breadcrumbs into the oil; if they sizzle, it is ready. Fry the cheese sticks in small batches of 3-4 at a time, turning them halfway through, for about 60-90 seconds or until the outside is golden brown and crisp. Be careful not to overcook, as the cheese will start to leak out. Drain the fried cheese sticks on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
Baking
Baking is a healthier alternative to frying, as it requires less oil. To bake cheese sticks, preheat your oven to between 350°F and 475°F. Prepare the cheese sticks as you would for frying, then arrange the frozen cheese sticks in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with aluminium foil and coated with cooking spray or olive oil. Bake for 7-11 minutes, or until the crumbs are crisp and golden, and the cheese is melted.
Air Frying
Air frying is another option for cooking cheese sticks. Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 390°F, then cook the cheese sticks for 4-8 minutes, turning them halfway through, until golden and crispy. Work in batches if needed to ensure proper air circulation.
Baking Time for Stuffed Peppers
You may want to see also
Cooking times and temperatures
When baking homemade cheese sticks, the cooking time and temperature can vary depending on the desired level of crispness and browning. Most recipes recommend preheating the oven to temperatures between 375°F and 475°F. The cheese sticks are then baked for around 6 to 11 minutes, or until the crumbs are golden and crisp, and the cheese is melted. It is important to keep an eye on the cheese sticks during the baking process, as overcooking can cause the cheese to melt and ooze out.
For a crispier texture, some recipes suggest baking the cheese sticks in the lower third of the oven, which may require a slightly longer cooking time. Additionally, coating the cheese sticks with cooking spray or oil before baking can help ensure even browning.
When frying cheese sticks, it is recommended to heat the oil to around 350°F. The sticks are then fried in small batches for about 60 to 90 seconds, or until golden brown and crisp. It is important to maintain the oil temperature between batches to ensure even cooking.
Air frying is another option, with temperatures ranging from 375°F to 400°F. The cooking time can vary from 4 to 10 minutes, depending on the desired level of crispness. It is important to toss or turn the cheese sticks halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.
Baking Country-Style Boneless Ribs: Temp and Time
You may want to see also
Dipping sauces
When it comes to dipping sauces, there are many options to choose from. A classic choice is marinara sauce, which is a tomato-based sauce that pairs well with mozzarella sticks. You can make your own marinara sauce at home or buy it pre-made from a store. If you want to add a twist to the classic, try a bolognese sauce, which will give you a meatier option.
Another popular choice is ranch dressing, which can be either store-bought or made from scratch. If you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with different flavours of cheese sticks. Jalapeno cheese sticks, for example, would add a spicy kick to your dish. To complement the spiciness, you could serve them with a roasted red pepper sauce or a garlic aioli.
- Pesto
- Honey mustard
- BBQ sauce
- Cocktail sauce
- Salsa
- Sweet chilli sauce
- Raspberry or blackberry sauce
- Blue cheese dressing
- Tzatziki or other yoghurt-based dips
- Buffalo wing sauce
- Curry ketchup
- Balsamic vinaigrette
Big Cookie Baking Time
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Bake homemade cheese sticks for 9-11 minutes in a 400°F oven, or until the crumbs are crisp and the cheese is melted.
Bake homemade cheese sticks at 400°F.
Freeze homemade cheese sticks for at least 2 hours or overnight before baking.
You can serve homemade cheese sticks with a side of marinara or spaghetti sauce for dipping.
Yes, you can make homemade cheese sticks in an air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F and cook the cheese sticks for 4-5 minutes, turning them halfway through.