← Nouns Cooking · American

Ingredients

• 450 g low-moisture mozzarella block (or string cheese), cut into 8 x 2 cm sticks
• 75 g Plain (all-purpose) flour
• 1 tsp Salt
• ½ tsp Black pepper
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 2 Eggs
• 2 tbsp Milk
• 120 g Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning or dried oregano
• 1.5 l vegetable oil, for frying
• 250 ml marinara sauce or seasoned passata, warmed, to serve

Method

1. Set out three shallow dishes: flour mixed with the salt, pepper and garlic powder; eggs beaten with the milk; and panko mixed with the herbs.
2. Roll each cheese stick in flour, dip in egg, then press into the panko. Dip back into the egg and the panko a second time; this double coat stops the cheese leaking.
3. Lay the sticks on a lined tray and freeze for at least 1 hour, until firm.
4. Heat the oil in a deep, heavy pot to 180°C (350°F). Fry the frozen sticks a few at a time for 1–2 min, until deep golden.
5. Drain on kitchen paper for a moment and serve straight away with the warm marinara.

Tips

• Don’t skip freezing: frozen sticks crisp up before the cheese melts through.
• Air fryer: spray the frozen sticks with oil and cook at 200°C (400°F) for 6–7 min.

Sources

Written in our own words after cross-checking these recipes:

The Modern Proper Bon Appétit BBC Good Food