Description
Crispy mozzarella bites pack rich Italian cheese flavors into golden-brown appetizer perfection. Melted centers and crunchy exteriors invite guests to savor these irresistible snacks you’ll want to share at parties.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 package mozzarella string cheese (12 count)
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tsps italian seasoning
- 1 tsp parsley
- oil for frying
- marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- Preparation: Slice mozzarella string cheese into compact, uniform one-inch segments with precision.
- Coating Setup: Create a three-stage dipping station with milk, seasoned flour, and panko bread crumbs mixture containing Italian seasoning and chopped parsley.
- Initial Coating: Dip cheese pieces in milk, then coat lightly with flour, ensuring complete coverage. Return to milk for a second dip before rolling in seasoned panko crumbs.
- Freezing Process: Arrange coated mozzarella bites on a flat surface and freeze for minimum two hours to stabilize coating and prevent cheese leakage during cooking.
- Frying Technique: Heat oil in a deep skillet to medium temperature. Carefully lower frozen cheese bites into hot oil, monitoring until they achieve a golden-brown exterior.
- Serving: Remove bites once crispy, drain excess oil on paper towels, and plate with warm marinara sauce for an elegant appetizer.
Notes
- Freeze for Stability: Freezing mozzarella bites for at least two hours creates a protective barrier, preventing cheese from melting during frying and ensuring a perfect crispy exterior.
- Master the Coating Technique: Layer each cheese piece carefully through milk, flour, and panko stages to achieve an even, crunchy coating that locks in the cheese.
- Oil Temperature Matters: Maintain medium heat to create a golden-brown crust without burning the breading or causing cheese to leak.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy mozzarella bites right after cooking for maximum crispiness and melty cheese texture, paired with warm marinara sauce for the ultimate appetizer experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 112
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg