Ham and Mozzarella Cheese Sticks (Baked Ham and Cheese Sticks) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between cheese sticks and mozzarella sticks? ›

The answer: string cheese must always be mozzarella cheese. Why? Because mozarella cheese is the only type of cheese that has a stringing quality, naturally. Snack cheese, on the other hand, can be any variety of cheese, from cheddar to muenster, but you won't be able to pull it apart in strands.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange product in a single layer on baking sheet and place on middle rack of oven. Bake for 7-8 minutes (half box) or 8-9 minutes (full box).

If the best part of this savory snack keeps escaping, try keeping your sticks in the freezer for longer before cooking them. If your homemade mozzarella sticks keep exploding despite the extra freezer time, you can try recoating the sticks with more batter and breading.

Yes, freezing the mozzarella sticks before frying them is essential. If they aren't completely frozen, the cheese will ooze out of the flour and panko coating before it's gotten the chance to crisp up.

A class-action lawsuit was filed against McDonald's, claiming that the cheese sticks contained starch and did not meet the federal standards for mozzarella cheese.

Mozzarella is lower in sodium and calories than most other cheeses. A 1-ounce (oz), or 28-gram (g) serving of full-fat mozzarella contains: Calories: 85. Protein: 6 g.

For cheese sticks, all you really need to do is get the outside breading golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature isn't critical, because cheese is delightfully safe to eat raw.

How do you keep mozzarella sticks from bursting? Use my double-coating technique when breading the mozzarella sticks. Dip each stick first in flour, then in beaten egg, and finally in breadcrumbs. Repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating step to create a thicker breading layer, which helps to seal the cheese inside.

How to stop mozzarella sticks from exploding in an air fryer? ›

To keep mozzarella sticks from exploding in the air fryer, you MUST freeze them first. Freezing cheese sticks for 1 hour both before and after breading them ensures that the cheese doesn't explode before the filling has a chance to turn golden and crisp.

Microwaving them may not be the best way to cook frozen mozzarella sticks because they could get soggy instead. However, if you're pressed for time or don't have an oven, you can make do with the microwave.

“Most restaurants list both Melba sauce and marinara sauce on the menu as options to pair with mozzarella sticks. I always choose Melba sauce because I do believe it pairs better with mozzarella sticks.”

A small bowl of marinara sauce on the side of your mozzarella cheese sticks is classic, because then it tastes like pizza in another form, but you can also try Nacho Cheese Sauce, Aioli, or ranch dressing. Rosa alfredo, which is a cross between tomato sauce and alfredo sauce, is my favorite dipping sauce of all.

Freezing allows the crispy panko-and-egg coating to really solidify and get sturdy so that when it hits the oil it can withstand all of that heat. The nice thing about the freezing step is that it means yes! You could make these mozzarella sticks a few days ahead of time, if you want to!

Served fried, cheese curds are often mistaken for mozzarella sticks, even though they are smaller and more nugget-shaped. However, their texture is what truly sets them apart. In comparison, cheese curds are more rubbery, hence the squeaking. They also have a similar, slightly tangy flavor profile.

mozzarella sticks. pik-nik peelable cheese sticks. queso frito.

When you look at the name of this Italian comfort food, you'll likely ask yourself this question: “Isn't fried mozzarella just mozzarella sticks?”. The truth is, you're only half right about that assumption. While mozzarella sticks and this dish are both fried, the main difference comes in the form they result in.

Good Snack 4: Low-fat string cheese stick and fresh fruit

Short on time? Then grab this easy go-to snack. It's a good source of calcium and vitamin C, and it gives you 8 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber, Culbertson says.