Mozzarella sticks are a popular appetizer or snack made by slicing mozzarella into thin sticks, dipping them in beaten eggs and breadcrumbs, and frying or baking them. They can be served with tomato-based dipping sauce and come in different shapes. Variations include gluten-free and vegan options.
Breaded and fried mozzarella pieces, mozzarella sticks are long and thin. If you want a healthier version of the snack, mozzarella sticks can be baked instead of fried. Typically, mozzarella sticks are served as an appetizer or snack, with a tomato-based dipping sauce.
Mozzarella sticks come in different shapes. A person can make the appetizer at home from scratch if desired. Frozen versions are also available that can be heated in the oven or in a deep fryer. Sticks are common on casual restaurant menus and pubs across the United States.
Usually, the sticks are served as an appetizer, before the main course of an informal meal. They can be paired with other casual finger foods as part of an appetizer sampler, such as buffalo wings and quesadillas. Mozzarella sticks are also a popular snack at parties and sporting events. Some people choose to serve them on more formal occasions, such as weddings.
Mozzarella sticks are made by slicing pieces of mozzarella into thin sticks. Individually packaged aged cheeses are usually an ideal stick size. The cheese is then dipped in beaten eggs and then in breadcrumbs. The eggs help the bread crumbs stick to the cheese. A person can use seasoned or plain bread crumbs. Some cooks prefer to use a flour-based batter instead of breadcrumbs.
To keep the cheese from melting while the mozzarella sticks are fried or baked, some people freeze the breaded or battered sticks for a few hours. Extra cold cheese is less likely to melt and destroy the sticks during cooking. If a cook doesn’t want to prepare the sticks right away, he can store them in the freezer until it’s time to serve.
There are many variations on the traditional mozzarella stick. Some use a gluten-free batter or gluten-free bread crumbs, such as those made with rice flour, so people with celiac disease can enjoy the appetizer as well. Vegan versions are also available, made with a non-dairy dairy product, free from animal products.
To reduce the fat content of these snacks, a person can try baking them instead of frying them. Frying involves filling a pan with enough oil to cover the sticks as they cook. Baked sticks are lined up on a baking sheet and baked in an oven until the cheese is soft and the crumbs or batter are cooked through.
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