Home Fried Cheese Sticks Recipe
This recipe guides you through making classic crispy, gooey fried cheese sticks. String cheese is meticulously double-coated in an egg wash and seasoned Italian breadcrumbs, then deep-fried to a perfect golden brown. It's a quick and satisfying snack or appetizer, offering a delightful contrast of a crunchy exterior and a wonderfully melted, cheesy interior.
Equipment
- 1 Deep Pot or Deep Fryer For safe and efficient deep-frying
- 2 Shallow Dishes For the egg wash and bread crumbs
- 1 Whisk To thoroughly scramble eggs
- 1 Slotted Spoon or Tongs For safely handling hot cheese sticks
- 1 Instant-Read Thermometer To monitor oil temperature accurately
Ingredients
Main
- 1 24 oz pkg string cheese sticks, or 24 1-oz individual string cheese sticks
- 5 eggs scrambled well
- 3 cups italian seasoned bread crumbs
- Oil---for frying
- See notes:
Instructions
- Prepare your breading station by placing scrambled eggs in one shallow dish and Italian seasoned bread crumbs in another.
- For best results, freeze the string cheese sticks for at least 30 minutes to firm them up before breading.
- Dip each frozen string cheese stick first into the scrambled egg, ensuring it is fully coated.
- Immediately transfer the egg-coated stick to the bread crumbs, rolling and pressing gently to coat thoroughly.
- For an extra crispy crust and to prevent cheese from oozing, repeat the egg and bread crumb coating process a second time for each stick.
- Place the double-coated cheese sticks on a tray and freeze again for at least 15-30 minutes, or until very firm. This step is crucial for success.
- In a deep pot or deep fryer, heat at least 2-3 inches of oil to 350-375°F (175-190°C). Use an instant-read thermometer to monitor the temperature precisely.
- Carefully place 3-4 cheese sticks at a time into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot, which would lower the oil temperature.
- Fry for 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on all sides. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to turn them as needed for even browning.
- Remove the fried cheese sticks and immediately transfer them to a wire rack set over paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve piping hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
For superior results, freeze the string cheese sticks for at least 30 minutes before the first coating. The key to preventing cheese from oozing out during frying is a proper double-coating. After the first egg and breadcrumb layer, freeze the sticks again for 15-30 minutes before applying the second coat. This ensures the cheese remains firm enough to withstand the hot oil. Maintain the oil temperature between 350-375°F (175-190°C); too low leads to greasy sticks, too high results in burnt breading with cold cheese. Fry in small batches to keep the oil temperature consistent. Always drain on a wire rack over paper towels to shed excess oil, ensuring maximum crispness. Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.