Best 3 Fried Mozzarella Bites Recipes

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Fried mozzarella bites, also known as mozzarella sticks, are a delectable appetizer or snack that combines the gooey, stretchy texture of mozzarella cheese with a crispy, golden-brown coating. Whether you're entertaining guests, craving a quick bite, or simply looking for a cheesy indulgence, these fried mozzarella bites are sure to hit the spot. With a few simple ingredients and a few easy steps, you can create these crispy, cheesy bites that are perfect for any occasion.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

AIR-FRIED MOZZARELLA CHEESE BITES WITH SPICY MARINARA SAUCE



Air-Fried Mozzarella Cheese Bites with Spicy Marinara Sauce image

These mozzarella sticks are coated in Italian-seasoned bread crumbs, cooked until crispy in the air fryer, and served with a zesty marinara dipping sauce.

Provided by Allrecipes

Categories     Appetizers and Snacks     Cheese

Time 1h20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon water
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
¾ cup panko bread crumbs
6 mozzarella cheese sticks, cut in half, crosswise
cooking spray
¾ cup marinara sauce
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper

Steps:

  • Whisk egg and water together in a shallow dish. Stir flour, salt, and Italian seasoning together in another shallow dish. Place bread crumbs in a third shallow dish.
  • Dip cheese sticks into egg mixture, then coat with flour mixture. Dip again into egg mixture, then into bread crumbs until coated. Place on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, about 1 hour.
  • Preheat an air fryer to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C). Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  • Place frozen cheese bites in a single layer in the air fryer, working in batches if necessary, being careful not to crowd.
  • Cook in the preheated air fryer until golden brown and cheese just begins to melt, 4 to 6 minutes. Repeat with remaining bites.
  • Meanwhile, stir together marinara sauce and crushed red pepper.
  • Serve mozzarella bites with marinara sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 182.9 calories, Carbohydrate 22.6 g, Cholesterol 46 mg, Fat 6.7 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 10.9 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 574 mg, Sugar 3.2 g

BUFFALO FRIED MOZZARELLA BITES



Buffalo Fried Mozzarella Bites image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     appetizer

Time 55m

Yield 24 bites

Number Of Ingredients 16

6 pieces mozzarella string cheese
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Vegetable oil, for frying
Kosher salt
3/4 cup Louisiana hot sauce, such as Frank's RedHot
3 tablespoons salted butter
Splash apple cider vinegar
Splash Worcestershire sauce
1 cup ranch dressing
2 carrots, cut into sticks
2 ribs celery, cut into sticks

Steps:

  • For the mozzarella bites: Cut the mozzarella sticks into fourths, creating bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
  • Add the flour to a shallow dish. Combine the eggs and milk in a second shallow dish. Combine the panko, Parmesan and parsley in a third shallow dish.
  • Bread the mozzarella by first rolling each piece in the flour, then dunking it in the egg/milk mixture, then placing it in the panko mixture. Use your hands to ensure the entire piece is coated in the breadcrumbs. Transfer to a sheet pan and repeat with the remaining mozzarella pieces. Transfer to the freezer to firm up, about 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, add two inches of oil to a skillet. Heat to 375 degrees F.
  • For the buffalo sauce: Combine the hot sauce, butter, Worcestershire sauce and apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat until the butter has melted and the sauce is hot, then remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.
  • Fry the mozzarella bites in batches until golden, between 45 seconds to 1 minute, being careful not to overcook. Carefully remove to drain on a paper towel and immediately sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Serve hot alongside a bowl of warm buffalo sauce, a bowl of ranch dressing and the carrot and celery sticks.

FRIED MOZZARELLA BITES



Fried Mozzarella Bites image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Categories     appetizer

Time 30m

Yield 32 mozzarella bites

Number Of Ingredients 17

Olive oil, for frying
1 pound ball fresh mozzarella, buy a piece wrapped, not packed in water
1 pound fresh smoked mozzarella, found in the specialty cheese case
1 cup all purpose flour
2 eggs
1/3 cup milk, eyeball it
2 cups Italian style bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
8 stems or large sprigs each fresh parsley, sage, thyme
Fine salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, moderate to hot heat level, eyeball the amount
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
Coarse salt
Bamboo skewers, 6-inch, or party picks, for dipping

Steps:

  • Heat 2 inches olive oil in a deep skillet over medium high heat. Cut each pound of mozzarella and smoked mozzarella into 16 cubes. Set up a breading station: flour, 2 eggs beaten with 1/3 cup milk, Italian bread crumbs mixed with a couple of handfuls of grated cheese. Reserve the chopped parsley. Roll fresh plain mozzarella in flour, dip in egg, then coat in bread crumbs. Bread all the plain mozzarella, then add chopped parsley to the bread crumbs. Coat the cubed smoked mozzarella in flour, egg, then Italian bread crumbs mixed with parsley. The chopped parsley will allow you to distinguish between the fresh and fresh smoked cheese once fried. Place herbs into hot oil and fry 30 to 45 seconds. Be careful not to stand over pan, the oil will spatter a little because of the water content in herbs. Remove herbs with a slotted kitchen tool and transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Season immediately with fine salt. Fry the mozzarella bites in batches in a single layer. Cook until evenly deep golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and cool mozzarella bites on a paper towel-lined surface. Let stand and cool a few minutes so that the cheese will not be too runny when bitten into.
  • For dipping sauce, heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil, garlic and crushed pepper flakes. Saute garlic and hot pepper 2 or 3 minutes, and add tomatoes. Season with salt.
  • To assemble your serving plate, pile mozzarella bites, alternating them with fried herbs. Set the dipping sauce in a bowl along side the balls and pile bamboo skewers or party picks on the edge of the plate to spear and dip the bites.
  • Add some mixed olives, celery sticks, long bread sticks to round out this finger food selection.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality mozzarella cheese. This will ensure that your mozzarella bites are gooey and flavorful. Look for mozzarella that is soft and white, with no brown spots.
  • Cut the mozzarella into small, even pieces. This will help them cook evenly. If your pieces are too big, they may not cook through in the center.
  • Coat the mozzarella pieces in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. This will help them stay crispy and golden brown when fried. Be sure to press the breadcrumbs into the mozzarella pieces so that they adhere well.
  • Fry the mozzarella bites in hot oil until they are golden brown and bubbly. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Don't overcrowd the pan, or the mozzarella bites will not cook evenly.
  • Serve the mozzarella bites hot, with your favorite dipping sauce. Marinara sauce is a classic choice, but you can also try ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, or honey mustard.

Conclusion:

Fried mozzarella bites are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer that is perfect for any occasion. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a dish that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a crowd-pleasing snack, give fried mozzarella bites a try!

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