Description
Parmesan Mozzarella Bites offer crispy golden-brown cheese perfection straight from Italian kitchens. Cheese enthusiasts discover a simple appetizer delivering rich flavor and irresistible crunch in just minutes.
Ingredients
- 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups (150g) seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (100g) grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- vegetable oil (for frying) or cooking spray (for baking)
Instructions
- Preparation: Slice each mozzarella stick into three equal portions and freeze for 30 minutes to maintain shape and prevent premature melting.
- Breading Station: Organize three shallow dishes – first with flour, second with whisked eggs, third with a mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt.
- Initial Coating: Dredge frozen cheese segments in flour, shake off excess, dip in eggs, then coat thoroughly with seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to create a firm crust.
- Double Coating: Repeat egg and breadcrumb process for an extra crispy exterior, ensuring complete coverage of cheese segments.
- Pre-Cooking Chill: Place breaded cheese bites on a chilled baking sheet and return to freezer for 15-20 minutes to stabilize coating and prevent cheese leakage.
- Cooking Method – Frying: Heat vegetable oil to 350F and fry cheese bites in small batches until golden brown, approximately 1-2 minutes, achieving a crisp exterior and molten interior.
- Cooking Method – Baking: Preheat oven to 400F, arrange cheese bites on parchment-lined tray, lightly spray with cooking oil, and bake until achieving a golden, crispy coating.
- Serving: Immediately present cheese bites with marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or preferred dipping sauce to maximize flavor and temperature enjoyment.
Notes
Freeze Cheese Strategically: Chilling mozzarella sticks completely prevents cheese from leaking during cooking, creating a perfect crispy exterior while maintaining molten interior.
Breading Double-Coat Technique: Apply two layers of breading for extra crunch and better adhesion, ensuring a more robust and textured coating that stays intact during frying or baking.
Oil Temperature Precision: Maintain consistent 350F oil temperature for even golden-brown results, preventing burning or undercooked cheese bites by using a kitchen thermometer for accurate monitoring.
Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute regular flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, and use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe accessible for individuals with wheat sensitivities while maintaining the same delicious crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 120mg