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Potato Cheese Sticks Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 126 reviews

Crispy and gooey Potato Cheese Sticks combine creamy mashed potatoes, crispy bacon, green onions, and melted cheddar cheese, coated in a crunchy panko breadcrumb crust and fried to golden perfection. Perfect as an appetizer or snack, these sticks offer a delightful combination of textures and flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 3 Russet potatoes, cooked and cubed
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ cup green onion, diced
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ¼ cup bacon, diced
  • 1 block cheddar cheese, cut into strips (about ¼ inch thick)

Coating

  • Flour, for coating
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • ⅔ cup cornstarch
  • 100 g panko breadcrumbs

For Frying

  • 1 litre vegetable oil or canola oil (peanut oil can be used as an alternative)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the potato mixture: In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cubed russet potatoes, diced bacon, diced green onions, sour cream, salt, and pepper. Mash the mixture together until it becomes mostly smooth with some texture remaining.
  2. Cut the cheese: Slice the block of cheddar cheese into strips approximately ¼ inch thick to fit inside the potato balls.
  3. Form the potato cheese sticks: Take a spoonful of the potato mixture and flatten it in your palm. Place a cheddar cheese strip in the center, then wrap the potato mixture around the cheese to fully encase it, forming a ball or stick shape.
  4. Set up the coating stations: Prepare three separate bowls: one with flour, one with the beaten egg, and one with a mixture of cornstarch and panko breadcrumbs for optimal crunch.
  5. Coat the sticks: Roll each potato cheese stick first in flour, then dip in the beaten egg, and finally roll thoroughly in the cornstarch-panko breadcrumb mixture to ensure an even, crispy coating.
  6. Heat the oil: Pour the vegetable or canola oil into a deep fryer or large deep pot and heat it to 350°F (180°C), suitable for frying.
  7. Fry the sticks: Carefully place the coated sticks into the hot oil and fry for about 3 minutes or until they turn a golden brown color and the cheese inside begins to melt.
  8. Drain excess oil: Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried sticks and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
  9. Optional baking step: For a baked version, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the coated sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, drizzle lightly with olive oil, and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until the cheese melts and the sticks turn light golden brown.
  10. Cool and serve: Allow the potato cheese sticks to cool for a few minutes before serving to avoid burns from hot cheese and to let the crust firm up slightly.

Notes

  • You can substitute russet potatoes with Yukon Gold for a slightly creamier texture.
  • For a spicier twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the potato mixture.
  • Ensure the oil temperature stays steady at 350°F (180°C) to avoid greasy sticks.
  • These sticks can be made ahead and frozen before frying; fry directly from frozen, adding a minute or two to the frying time.
  • Serve with sour cream, ranch dressing, or your favorite dipping sauce for extra flavor.

Keywords: Potato cheese sticks, crispy potato snacks, fried cheesy sticks, cheddar cheese appetizers, bacon potato bites

Find it online: https://lucabites.com/potato-cheese-sticks-recipe/