Fried Mozzarella Sticks with Creamy Marinara Recipe

Fried Mozzarella Sticks with Creamy Marinara Recipe | Molly Yeh

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Makes: 12 sticks

Nutrition Per Serving (1 of 12): Calories 369, Total Fat 28 g, Saturated Fat 8 g, Carbohydrates 14 g, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 2 g, Protein 14 g, Cholesterol 84 mg, Sodium 476 mg

Total Time: 25 minutes

Active Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil, for deep frying
• 1 cup jarred marinara sauce
• 1/3 cup crme frache
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 3 large eggs
• 1-pound block of mozzarella, sliced into twelve sticks measuring about 3 inches by 1/2 inch by 3/4 inch

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Instructions

1. Pour enough oil into a large Dutch oven or heavy pot to reach about 1 1/2 inches up the sides and fit the pot with a deep-fry thermometer. Heat the oil to 375F over medium-high heat.
2. At the same time, combine the marinara, crme frache, and crushed red pepper flakes in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute until warm. Cover and keep aside until serving.
3. Set a wire rack inside a baking sheet. Prepare a breading station using three wide, deep dishes (or pie plates). Put the flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt in the first plate. In the second plate, mix the panko, plain breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, and a generous amount of black pepper. Beat the eggs in the third plate.
4. Boost your cheesy snack game: Bread each mozzarella stick by dipping it first in the flour mix, then the eggs, followed by the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat dipping in egg and breadcrumbs one more time for a double coating that locks in all the gooey goodness. Place breaded sticks on the wire rack.
5. In batches, gently lower 4 to 5 sticks into the hot oil and fry without moving them until golden brown and the cheese begins to ooze temptingly, about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Remove using a slotted spoon or spider and transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Serve immediately with the creamy marinara on the sidepure bliss in every bite!

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