Description
Cheez-It® Fried Cheese Sticks are a must-try for those who love mozzarella sticks, fried treats, or a wonderful appetizer. These are easy to make and bring a unique flavor to traditional snack.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks
- 2 cup water
- 2 cup Cheez-It® crackers, crumbled finely with food processor or food mallet
- 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- Oil, for frying
Instructions
- Cut 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks cross-wize to make 24 shorter sticks and place in a dish of water.
- Mix crumbled Cheez-It® crackers with Italian breadcrumbs in medium dish with cover and set aside
- Place all-purpose flour in a similar dish and set aside
- Place eggs in separate dish of similar size and set aside
- In small batches, remove mozzarella sticks from water and coat in flour.
- Remove from flour and coat with egg.
- Remove from egg and coat with Cheez-It® and breadcrumb mixture
- Place on parchment paper-lined baking sheet or something that will fit in your freezer.
- Repeat until all cheese sticks are coated.
- Place in freezer for 2 hours or more.
- When ready to cook, heat oil to 375° Fahrenheit.
- Depending on the size of your pot, add some of the cheese sticks to oil and cook for approximately 1 ½ minutes until golden brown, making sure not too much cheese leaks out. I cooked in three batches, but do what you are comfortable with and what is safe for you. (see notes for safety tips)
- Continue in batches until all are done.
- Serve with your favorite marinara sauce or dipping sauce.
Notes
- Always remember safety first and to check out the food safety instructions from the USDA.
- Use Mozzarella String Cheese and not fresh mozzarella or block mozzarella.
- Make sure to freeze for at least 2 hours before frying.
- You can bake these instead of frying, although they won’t be quite as crispy. I would suggest 10 minutes at 400° Farhenheit and place them on parchment paper.
- These are great for preparing beforehand. Once frozen, just place them in a freezer bag and cook when you are ready to try.
- Canola oil, corn oil, peanut oil, and sunflower oil are all appropriate for this. Any oil that has a high smoke point and can be used for deep fat frying.
- I estimated both the amount of oil that is absorbed and how much of the breading actually ends up on the cheese sticks.