Fried Cheese Sticks With Tomato Sauce Recipe
🕒 Cook Time: 30 minutes
🕒 Prep Time: 30 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 1 hour
🥣 Servings: Approximately 40 cheese sticks
Description:
Indulge in the crispy goodness of these Fried Cheese Sticks served with a flavorful Tomato Sauce. Perfect for any occasion, especially when you’re craving a savory treat that’s quick to make and irresistibly delicious!
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon margarine
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup mushrooms, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup wheat germ
- 1 block cheese
- 2 eggs
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- Oil for frying
Instructions:
-
Prepare Tomato Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Stir in tomato sauce, diced mushrooms, dried oregano, and dried basil.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cover the saucepan and keep the tomato sauce warm while you prepare the cheese sticks.
-
Coat Cheese:
- In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs, wheat germ, and red pepper flakes.
- Cut the block of cheese into sticks measuring about 2×1/2×1/2 inches, or alternatively into 1-inch cubes.
- Dip each piece of cheese into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully coated.
- Next, coat the cheese in flour, shaking off any excess.
- Then, dip the cheese into the bread crumb mixture, making sure to coat it evenly. Repeat this step to ensure a double coating for extra crispiness.
-
Fry Cheese Sticks:
- Heat oil in a frying pan to 375°F (190°C), about 1 1/2 inches deep.
- Fry a few cheese sticks at a time, being careful not to overcrowd the pan, for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until they turn golden brown on all sides. It’s essential not to overcook them, as this may result in the cheese melting completely.
- Once fried, remove the cheese sticks from the oil and drain them well on paper towels to remove any excess oil.
-
Serve:
- Arrange the crispy fried cheese sticks on a serving platter.
- Serve them warm alongside the prepared tomato sauce for dipping.
- Enjoy the crunchy exterior and gooey, melted cheese inside with every bite!
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 78.3
- Fat: 3.8g
- Saturated Fat: 2.1g
- Cholesterol: 18.6mg
- Sodium: 165.3mg
- Carbohydrates: 7.3g
- Fiber: 0.7g
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Protein: 4g
Recipe Notes:
- These Fried Cheese Sticks are best enjoyed fresh and hot, so serve them immediately after frying for the ultimate crispy experience.
- Feel free to customize the tomato sauce by adding your favorite herbs and spices for a personalized touch.
- To make ahead, you can prepare the cheese sticks and coat them in the breadcrumb mixture, then refrigerate until ready to fry. Allow them to come to room temperature before frying for best results.
- Experiment with different types of cheese for varied flavors and textures. Mozzarella, cheddar, or even pepper jack would work well in this recipe.
