Bastoncitos de Queso Mozzarella

Ingredientes

• 1 pound whole milk low moisture mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups plain bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (optional)
• vegetable oil (for frying)
• 1 cup marinara sauce

Preparación

1. 1

   Prepare the Cheese – Slice the cheese into even-sized planks, about ½-inch wide and 3 to 4 inches long, depending on the brand used. You should yield about 18 pieces.

2. 2

   Prepare the Breading Station – Add the flour to a shallow bowl. In a second bowl, whisk together the eggs. In a third bowl, combine bread crumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning (if using).

3. 3

   Bread the Cheese – Working one piece at a time, coat each piece with flour, shaking off the excess. Fully dip in the egg, allowing the excess to drip off. Coat in the bread crumb mixture, pressing to adhere. After coating all of the pieces, add a second coating of egg, then breadcrumbs. This ensures that the cheese will not leak out when frying.Transfer cheese sticks to a paper towel or parchment-lined sheet pan. Freeze until they are firm, 1 to 2 hours. For longer storage in the freezer, transfer to an airtight container in a single layer.

4. 4

   Fry the Cheese Sticks – Place a wire rack over a sheet pan and line half the rack with paper towels for draining. Add vegetable oil to a large Dutch oven until it’s about 1 ½ inches deep. Heat over medium heat to 350ºF (177ºC). Carefully add 2 mozzarella sticks at a time and fry until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes. Turn them over for even cooking, keeping a close eye on color change. If any cheese starts leaking from the coating, immediately remove them from the oil before the crust bursts open.Transfer to the paper towel-lined side for 30 seconds, then move to the uncovered wire rack to keep the coating crisp. Repeat with the remaining sticks, maintaining the oil temperature around 350ºF.

5. 5

   To Serve – Warm the marinara sauce on the stovetop or in the microwave. Transfer the mozzarella sticks to a serving platter with the sauce on the side. Serve immediately while hot and gooey.