Fried Cheese Sticks

Ingredients

• 16 oz string cheese sticks (I used mozzarella and cheddar)
• 2 cups Panko bread crumbs plain (or regular Italian bread crumbs)
• 1 teaspoon Italian Herbs seasoning
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
• Oil for frying

Instructions

1. 1

   Fill a deep frying pan or skillet with about 2 inches of oil and heat over high heat until sizzling.

2. 2

   mix: In a shallow bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

3. 3

   whisk: In a separate shallow bowl, mix bread crumbs with Italian Herbs seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

4. 4

   coat: Unwrap the string cheese sticks. Dip each one into the buttermilk mixture, let excess liquid drip, then toss in the breadcrumbs mixture, then quickly again in the buttermilk mixture, and lastly again in breadcrumbs.

5. 5

   fry: Add to the pan with hot oil. Deep fry for ONLY about 1 minute total, cooking 20-30 seconds on one side and 20-30 seconds on the other side, just until the crust is golden brown.

6. 6

   serve: Place fried cheese sticks on paper towels briefly to drain excess oil, then serve immediately with a homemade marinara sauce for dipping.