Hey there, fellow foodies! Today, I’m beyond excited to share with you one of my absolute favorite recipes: Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks. But before I get to the cheesy goodness, let me take you on a little journey.
Picture this: Living in Kentucky, navigating the gluten-free restaurant dining scene. Now, let me tell you, it wasn’t always easy finding restaurants that catered to my dietary needs. That is until we stumbled upon Wheatless in Bowling Green. Oh, happy day! Finally, a place where I didn’t have to explain gluten intolerance or worry about cross-contamination. And let me tell you, their mozzarella sticks? They were the bomb diggity!
My husband, bless his heart, would often suggest, “Want to go to Wheatless tonight? I’m craving those mozzarella sticks!” Can you believe it? Even though he doesn’t have a gluten intolerance like me, he couldn’t resist those cheesy delights. Alas, during the pandemic and due to lockdowns, the restaurant was only offering pick up options. Not wanting to eat them cold was our dilemma. So there we were, placing our order by phone while making the 24-mile trek to pick up our hot mozzarella sticks, and savoring every gooey bite on the ride back home! It became our little pandemic ritual, a special treat amidst the chaos of lockdowns.
But alas, as fate would have it, Wheatless closed its doors in late 2020, leaving us with nothing but fond memories and a craving for those unforgettable mozzarella sticks. Fast forward to today, and here we are in Florida, still on the hunt for that perfect gluten-free indulgence.
Not willing to accept defeat, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work in the kitchen. I spent countless hours experimenting with different ingredients and techniques, determined to recreate that amazing mozzarella stick experience without gluten. And let me tell you, it was a labor of love. There were plenty of trial and error moments along the way. But with each attempt, I learned something new and got one step closer to perfection.
First up, I tried the 4C Gluten Free Bread Crumbs. They gave the sticks a nice crunch, but I found that they didn’t quite adhere as well to the cheese sticks as I’d hoped. Next, I gave Aleia’s Italian Bread Crumbs a shot. While the seasoned coating added some tasty flavor, I found them to be a bit too coarse for my liking. Then, I experimented with Kikkoman Panko breadcrumbs. While they provided an extra crispy coating, I found that they didn’t adhere as evenly to the cheese sticks, resulting in some patchy spots.
Finally, I gave Schar Gluten Free Bread Crumbs a whirl, and let me tell you, it was love at first bite. The fine texture of these breadcrumbs provided the perfect coating for the mozzarella sticks, ensuring even cooking and a crispy, golden exterior every time. Plus, they adhered to the cheese sticks like nobody’s business, giving me that satisfying crunch with every bite.
After much perseverance, I finally cracked the code and created a recipe for Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks that rivals the ones we had come to love. They’re crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and completely gluten-free. So, whether you’re following a gluten-free diet or simply looking for a tasty snack, I invite you to join me on this culinary adventure. Trust me, once you try these Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks, you’ll never look back!
Gluten Free Mozzarella Sticks
Made with gooey mozzarella cheese coated in a flavorful blend of gluten-free breadcrumbs and Italian seasoning, these irresistible snacks are perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Bread Coating
Egg Coating
Flour Coating
Additional
Instructions
Prepare the Cheese Sticks:
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- Cut each mozzarella cheese stick in half to create 12 shorter sticks.
- Place the cheese sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Freeze the cheese sticks for at least 1 hour or until firm. Freezing them will help prevent the cheese from melting too quickly during frying.
Prepare the Coatings:
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- In a shallow dish, combine the gluten-free breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning to create the bread coating mixture.
- In another shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and milk to create the egg coating mixture.
- In a third shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning to create the flour coating mixture.
Coat the Cheese Sticks:
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- Remove the frozen cheese sticks from the freezer.
- Dip each cheese stick first into the flour mixture, coating it evenly. Shake off any excess flour.
- Dip the floured cheese stick into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated.
- Next, roll the cheese stick in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the breadcrumbs to the surface.
- Finally, repeat each of the coating steps above (double coating).
Resting Time:
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- Place the breaded cheese sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows the gluten free flour coating to absorb the liquids and helps the breading adhere better to the cheese sticks during frying.
Frying the Mozzarella Sticks:
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- In a deep fryer, heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully add the breaded cheese sticks to the hot oil, a few at a time, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
- Fry the cheese sticks for about 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer the fried cheese sticks to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Serving:
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- Serve the mozzarella sticks immediately while they are hot and crispy.
- Optionally, serve with marinara sauce for dipping.
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 377kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 12.5g20%
- Saturated Fat 5.9g30%
- Trans Fat 0.3g
- Cholesterol 163mg55%
- Sodium 1142mg48%
- Potassium 166mg5%
- Total Carbohydrate 47g16%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 3g
- Protein 18g36%
- Vitamin A 504 IU
- Calcium 340 mg
- Iron 2.14 mg
- Vitamin D 33 IU
- Vitamin E 0.53 IU
- Vitamin K 3 mcg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
If you're unable to find the Mediterranean seasoning blend at your local store, don't worry! You can easily make your own blend using common herbs. Check out my Italian Mediterranean Seasoning blend recipe for a homemade version. Alternatively, look for a store-bought blend that includes ingredients such as basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, and sage. These herbs will add a delicious Mediterranean flavor to your mozzarella sticks.
Cutting the cheese sticks in half before breading and frying them serves a couple of purposes:
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Portion Control: By cutting the cheese sticks in half, you create smaller portions that are more manageable and easier to handle during the breading and frying process. This also allows for more even cooking and ensures that each piece of cheese gets fully coated with the breading.
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Better Ratio of Cheese to Breading: Cutting the cheese sticks in half creates a better ratio of cheese to breading, as each piece of cheese is surrounded by a thinner layer of breading. This helps to prevent the breading from overpowering the cheese and allows for a more balanced and enjoyable eating experience.
Using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend with xanthan gum included can offer several benefits in this recipe:
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Improved Texture and Structure: Xanthan gum helps mimic the binding properties of gluten in traditional flour, which can result in a better texture and structure for the breading. It can help the breading adhere more effectively to the cheese sticks and provide a crispier coating after frying.
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Reduced Crumbling: The presence of xanthan gum can help reduce the likelihood of the breading crumbling or falling off the cheese sticks during frying, resulting in a more intact and visually appealing final product.
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Enhanced Moisture Retention: Xanthan gum can help retain moisture in the breading, preventing it from becoming overly dry or brittle during frying. This can contribute to a more tender and flavorful coating on the mozzarella sticks.
While it's possible to use a gluten-free all-purpose flour without xanthan gum in this recipe, you may not achieve the same level of texture, structure, and moisture retention in the breading. If your chosen flour blend does not contain xanthan gum, you might consider adding a small amount (about 1/4 teaspoon per cup of flour) to the breading mixture to help improve its performance.