Fried Mozzarella Recipe
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This fried mozzarella cheese is crispy on the outside and melts on the inside. Fried mozzarella can be made as fried mozzarella steaks, fried mozzarella sticks or even fried mozzarella balls. This dish is a perfect appetizer and ideal when it served with homemade tomato sauce.
Fried Mozzarella Recipe
Ingredients
For the mozzarella:
- 1 pound (450 g) Mozzarella low-moisture
For the coating:
- 1 cup (125 g) All-purpose flour
- 2 Eggs large
- 2 tablespoons Milk
- 2 cups (250 g) Breadcrumbs preferably Panko for extra crunch
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder optional
- Salt to taste
- Bleck pepper to taste
For Frying:
- Oil see notes
Instructions
- Prepare the mozzarella: Cut the mozzarella into your desired shape:
- *Mozzarella sticks – great for dipping and sharing.*Mozzarella rounds or steaks – perfect as an appetizer.*Mozzarella cubes or bites – ideal for party platters.
- Aim for pieces about ½-inch (1cm) thick.
- Set up the breading station: Place the flour in one shallow bowl. In a second bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. In a third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Bread the mozzarella: Coat each piece in flour, shaking off any excess. Dip into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture.
- For extra crunch: Repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating one more time. The double coating creates a thicker crust and helps keep the cheese from leaking during cooking.
- Freeze: Arrange the breaded mozzarella on a tray and freeze for 20–30 minutes. Don't skip this step; it helps the coating crisp up before the cheese melts.
- Heat the oil: Fill a deep skillet or saucepan with about 2 inches (5cm) of oil. Heat to 350°F (180°C).
- Fry: Working in batches, carefully fry the mozzarella until deeply golden and crispy, about 1–2 minutes per side, depending on the size and shape.
- Air Fryer Version: Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Spray both sides of the breaded mozzarella lightly with oil. Arrange in a single layer, leaving space between each piece. Air fry for 5–7 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain and serve: Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and let cool for 1 minute before serving. Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.
Video
Notes
- Use low-moisture mozzarella: Avoid fresh mozzarella, which contains too much moisture. As it cooks, the excess water can cause the coating to separate and the cheese to leak out before the crust becomes golden and crispy. Low-moisture mozzarella melts beautifully while holding its shape better than fresh mozzarella.
- Double coating is recommended: It creates a thicker crust and greatly reduces cheese leakage.
- Keep the oil hot: Maintain the oil at 350°F (180°C). If the oil is too cool, the mozzarella will absorb excess oil and become greasy. For the most consistent results, use an instant-read or deep-fry thermometer.
- Freeze before cooking: This gives the coating time to crisp before the cheese melts.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Fry in batches to maintain the oil temperature.
- Best served immediately: Fried mozzarella is at its crispiest right after cooking.
- Try different seasonings: Add garlic powder, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, or chili flakes to the breadcrumbs for extra flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 468kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 27gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 104mgSodium: 815mgPotassium: 212mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 550IUVitamin C: 0.01mgCalcium: 613mgIron: 3mg
