Ingredients
Breadcrumb Coating
- 1 ½ cups plain gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs (e.g. 4C gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs)
- 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for dairy-free option, use Follow Your Heart dairy-free grated Parmesan cheese)
Breading Mixture
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- ¼ cup all-purpose gluten-free flour
- ¼ cup corn starch
Main Ingredient
- 6 mozzarella string cheese sticks (e.g. Great Value brand; for dairy-free, use Miyokos Cashew Milk Mozzarella sliced into small pieces)
For Frying
- Vegetable oil (peanut oil preferred; canola or corn oil also suitable), about 3 cups for frying
Instructions
- Prepare Breadcrumbs: Place gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin until fine. Transfer to a shallow dish and mix in Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and grated Parmesan cheese until fully combined.
- Whisk Eggs: In a shallow dish, whisk together the 2 large eggs until smooth and set aside.
- Combine Flour and Cornstarch: In another shallow bowl, stir together the gluten-free all-purpose flour and cornstarch to make the flour mixture.
- Cut Cheese Sticks: Cut each mozzarella cheese stick in half to create manageable sizes for frying and eating.
- First Coat: Dip each mozzarella half first into the gluten-free flour and cornstarch mixture, shaking off excess.
- Second Coat: Next, dip into the whisked eggs, allowing excess to drip off.
- Third Coat: Finally, coat thoroughly with the seasoned gluten-free breadcrumb mixture, ensuring full coverage.
- Repeat Coating: For extra crispiness, repeat the sequence of dipping in flour mixture, egg, and breadcrumbs a second time to create a double coating.
- Freeze: Place the breaded mozzarella sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least one hour to help them firm up before frying.
- Heat Oil: About 5 minutes before cooking, pour about 3 cups of vegetable oil into a medium-sized saucepan, filling it about 3 inches deep. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (177°C).
- Fry Mozzarella Sticks: Fry the mozzarella sticks two at a time until golden brown, approximately 1 minute each batch. Carefully remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Serve and Store: Serve hot for the best melty cheese experience. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Freezing the breaded sticks before frying is essential to prevent the cheese from leaking out during frying.
- Using peanut oil is preferred for frying due to its high smoke point and neutral flavor, but canola or corn oil are fine alternatives.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese with recommended dairy-free alternatives as specified.
- Handle the fried mozzarella sticks gently during frying and when removing to maintain their coating intact.
- Do not overcrowd the frying pan; fry in small batches to maintain oil temperature and crispiness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
