Mozzarella sticks are fried in a seasoned flour batter.
Breaded and fried mozzarella cheese chunks, mozzarella sticks are long and thin. If you want a healthier version of the snack, the mozzarella sticks can be baked instead of fried. Mozzarella sticks are usually served as an appetizer or snack, with a tomato-based sauce.
Mozzarella sticks come in many forms. One person can make the appetizer at home from scratch if desired. There are also frozen versions available that can be heated in the oven or deep fryer. Toothpicks are common on casual restaurant and pub menus in the United States.
Some versions of mozzarella sticks can be made in a deep fryer.
Chopsticks are usually served as an appetizer, before the main course of a casual meal. They can be paired with other casual snacks as part of an appetizer sampler, such as chicken wings and quesadillas. Mozzarella sticks are also a popular snack during parties and sporting events. Some people also choose to serve them on more formal occasions, such as weddings.
Mozzarella sticks are made by cutting pieces of mozzarella cheese into thin sticks. Individually wrapped string cheeses are often the perfect size for sticks. The cheese is then dipped in beaten eggs and then in breadcrumbs. The eggs help the breadcrumbs stick to the cheese. One person can use plain or seasoned breadcrumbs. Some cooks prefer to use a flour-based dough instead of breadcrumbs.
To prevent the cheese from melting while the mozzarella sticks are fried or baked, some people freeze the breaded or shredded sticks for a few hours. Very cold cheese is less likely to melt and destroy the sticks while cooking. If the cook does not want to prepare the sticks right away, she can store them in the freezer until serving time.
There are many variations of the traditional mozzarella stick. Some use a gluten-free dough or gluten-free breadcrumbs, such as those made with rice flour, so that people with celiac disease can also enjoy the appetizer. Vegan versions, made with non-dairy cheese and free of animal products, are also available.
To reduce the fat content of these snacks, a person can try baking them in the oven instead of frying them. Frying involves filling a pan with enough oil to cover the sticks while they cook. The baked sticks are lined up on a baking sheet and baked in the oven until the cheese is soft and the crumbs or batter is cooked.