Crispy Cheese Bliss Sticks Recipe

Introduction

Crispy Cheese Bliss Sticks are the perfect snack or appetizer for cheese lovers. With a crunchy seasoned coating and gooey melted mozzarella inside, these sticks can be baked or fried to golden perfection. Serve them hot with marinara sauce for dipping and enjoy a satisfying treat.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese sticks
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Cooking spray
• Marinara sauce, to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut the mozzarella sticks in half if you prefer shorter pieces. Place them in the freezer for about 30 minutes to firm up.
2. Step 2: Prepare three shallow bowls: fill the first with flour, beat the eggs in the second, and in the third, combine breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
3. Step 3: Remove the cheese sticks from the freezer. Dip each stick into the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the seasoned breadcrumb mix.
4. Step 4: Arrange the breaded sticks on a baking sheet and freeze again for 15–20 minutes to help the coating set.
5. Step 5: For baking, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray the sticks with cooking spray and bake for 8–10 minutes until golden and crisp. For frying, heat oil in a deep skillet, avoid overcrowding, and fry for 2–3 minutes until golden brown.
6. Step 6: Serve the crispy cheese sticks hot with marinara sauce for dipping and enjoy.

Tips & Variations

• Freeze the sticks thoroughly before coating to prevent cheese from melting out during cooking.
• Use panko breadcrumbs for an extra crunchy texture.
• Try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mix for a spicy kick.
• For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives.

Storage

Store leftover cheese sticks in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving as this can make them soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the sticks ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the breaded sticks and freeze them. When ready, cook directly from frozen to maintain their shape and crispiness.

What dipping sauces go well with these cheese sticks?

Marinara sauce is a classic choice, but ranch, spicy mayo, or garlic aioli also pair wonderfully with crispy cheese sticks.

Crispy Cheese Bliss Sticks Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 72 reviews

Crispy Cheese Bliss Sticks are golden, crunchy mozzarella cheese sticks coated in seasoned breadcrumbs and baked or fried to perfection. Perfect as a comforting appetizer or snack, these cheese sticks come with a delicious marinara dipping sauce and are easy to prepare with simple ingredients.

• Author: luca
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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Cheese Sticks

• 12 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese sticks

Breading

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Additional

• Cooking spray (for baking)
• Marinara sauce, to taste (for serving)

Instructions

1. Freeze Cheese Sticks: Cut the mozzarella sticks in half if you want shorter sticks and place them in the freezer for about 30 minutes. This helps prevent the cheese from melting too quickly during cooking.
2. Prepare Breading Stations: Set up three shallow bowls: put flour in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and a mixture of breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning in the third.
3. Coat Cheese Sticks: Remove the chilled mozzarella sticks from the freezer. Dip each stick first into the flour, shaking off any excess, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture.
4. Freeze Again: Arrange the breaded cheese sticks on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer for an additional 15-20 minutes to firm up the coating before cooking.
5. Cook Cheese Sticks: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) if baking, or heat oil in a deep skillet for frying. For baking, lightly spray the cheese sticks with cooking spray and bake for 8-10 minutes until golden and crispy. For frying, carefully fry the sticks in hot oil without overcrowding for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
6. Serve: Serve the crispy mozzarella sticks immediately while hot, paired with marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

• Freezing the cheese sticks before breading and after breading helps maintain their shape and prevents the cheese from leaking during cooking.
• Cooking spray aids in crisping the sticks when baked without extra oil.
• If frying, monitor the oil temperature closely to avoid burning the coating before the cheese melts.
• Use part-skim mozzarella for a balance of meltiness and lower fat content.
• Marinara sauce can be homemade or store-bought depending on preference.

Keywords: mozzarella sticks, crispy cheese sticks, baked cheese sticks, fried cheese sticks, appetizer, snack, marinara dipping sauce