Entering the world of ketosis does not have to mean leaving your snack time behind. These keto mozzarella sticks with a minimal require of four base ingredients are an excellent low carb appetizer. This comprehensive guide will take you through the most effective steps that will enable you to make these yummy cheese sticks to the perfection.
Ingredients Required for mozzarella sticks.
- String Cheese: Select low moisture part skim mozzarella string cheese. Imitations or any substandard mozzarella string cheeses will otherwise easily get moist and soggy, and result to shrinking. If not available, cut a low moisture part-skim block of mozzarella cheese of the appropriate size.
- Parmesan Cheese: It is advised to use the slightly finer grated parmesan cheese, though, store-bought and new, the shelf variety grabs hold to the cheese better than the breadcrumbs and turning out quite authentically.
- Keto Bread Crumbs: These are made from crushed pork rinds which are usually a snack found in the supermarket. It is worth to note that other options such as coconut or almond flour is also usable but they usually result in undesirable gritty feel.
- Italian Herbs: Although these elements are not obligatory, incorporating them makes a substantially big difference.
- Egg and Water: Used together to make an egg wash; that assists the bread crumbs in sticking to the cheese.
How to Make
Preparing the Cheese Sticks
- Slice the Mozzarella: First of all, divide your mozzarella sticks in half and you will have 24 of them.
- Prepare the Coating: In a small blender, blend the parmesan cheese, keto bread crumbs and Italian herbs. Process till the mixture is smooth and floury in consistency. Pout this mixture into a small vessel such as a bowl.
- Make the Egg Wash: In another bowl, beat an egg and add water to get a thoroughly beaten mixture.
Coating the Mozzarella Sticks
- Double Coating Process: This will help in getting a good coating; take the mozzarella stick, and immerse it in the egg wash then roll it on the keto bread crumb mixture. Continue with this process to obtain a second coat for the sticks.
- Freezing the Sticks: Put the coated mozzarella sticks on a plate and freeze them for at least 2 hours, or even better, overnight. This step is important to set the sticks to become more firm and do not break when you are going to cook.
Cooking the Mozzarella Sticks
- Pan-Frying Method:
- Heat 2-3 tablespoons of oil on a deep pan at the medium flame.
- Now that the oil is hot, gently put the mozzarella sticks in the oil.
- It should be cooked, each side for 2-3 minutes, until they are evenly coloured and golden brown.
- Take off the fire and let it cool, then serve.
Alternative Cooking Methods: Oven and Air Fryer
Baking in the Oven
- Preheat the Oven: This merchandise should be put into an oven which ought to be warmed at 240°C/500°F.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the mozzarella sticks on a foil and spray the cooking spray on the outside of every stick.
- Bake: On a frying pan, fry the potatoes for 8-10 minutes gently flipping the potatoes to get equal cooking after 5 minutes.
Using an Air Fryer
- Preheat the Air Fryer: On this, set the temperature to 200°C and Fan+400°F.
- Arrange the Sticks: Place the mozzarella sticks in the basket of the air fryer.The following is the general procedure to air fry mozzarella sticks.
- Cook: Put it in the basket of the air fryer, air fry for 350F for 10 minutes, mid way turn it over for browning.
Tips for Perfect Keto Cheese Sticks
- Ensure Proper Coating: Guarantee that every side of the mozzarella sticks is adequately coated to avoid the sticking out of the cheese when you are cooking.
- Egg Wash Consistency: Don’t exclude the water in the egg wash this will assist in achieving a right texture in the crumb mixture for sticking.
- Avoid Over-Freezing: One should ensure that they take note of the actual freezing time. Over-freezing could also lead to the breakage of the sticks because it forms some kind of condensation.
- Serving Suggestions: These mozzarella sticks are ideal to be taken with the help of the pizza sauce and ranch dressing.
Storing and Reheating Instructions
Storing
- Refrigeration: Store cooked mozzarella sticks in the refrigerator with a lid on the dish. They are fresh for up to 3 days only.
Freezing
- Freezing Leftovers: For the best operational conditions, any cooked Mozzarella sticks remaining should be placed in a bag and frozen and should be used before the 2 months’ Refrigeration mark.
Reheating
- Oven Method: Into slot 180°C/350°F and reheat the mozzarella sticks for 10 min.
- Air Fryer Method: It is recommended to air fry at 200°C/400°F for 6 minutes if the leftover aulinate is already prepared or preheat the air fryer at 200°C/400°F then reheating at 6 minutes.
Keto Mozzarella Sticks
These easy keto mozzarella sticks, that aren’t more than four components, can be prepared and cooked very, very fast in an air fryer or oven or even on a stovetop.
Ingredients
- 6 mozzarella cheese sticks (part-skim, low-moisture mozzarella)
- 1 1/2 cups keto bread crumbs (crushed pork rinds)
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
Directions
- Prepare the Mozzarella Sticks: Take each mozzarella cheese sticks and divide each into two pieces and put it aside.
- Make the Crumb Mixture: Take ground pork rinds, grated parmesan, and Italian seasoning and pulse in a high-speed blender or food processor. To get the ideal, fine, powdery texture, blend until well combined. Pour this mixture into a bowl.
- Prepare the Egg Wash: On a different bowl beat the egg and the water until smooth.
- Coat the Cheese Sticks:
- Put each cheese stick into the egg mixture.
- Sprinkle over it the dry mixture.
- Repeat to double coat all the sticks.
- Freeze: Put the mozzarella coated bread sticks on a tray with parchment paper and freeze for about 2 hours.
- Cook:
- Place 2-3 tbsp of oil and spread it in a non-stick pan and set it in a medium flame. Once it becomes hot, submerge the frozen cheese sticks and fry for another 2-3 minutes on a side and another 3 minutes with the bottom part is brown. Spoon on a plate lined with the paper towel, and best of all, have it while is hot.
- Oven: In this case note that before pre-cooking, the oven should be pre-heated to 240°C/500°F. Arrang the mozzarella sticks on the baking sheet aside from the parchment paper and grease it using the cooking spray; bake and after 8-10 minutes, the baking sheet has to be torn in the middle.
- Air Fryer: Put the slices into air-fryer basket and set the air fryer for 3 mins Pre-heat at 200°c/400°f. Place the mozzarella sticks in the basket and air fry them for 10 minutes flipping over the basket at the mid of the cooking process.
Notes
- To Store: Store the cooked mozzarella sticks in an airtight container after cooling and it is recommended to consume within 3 days of preparation.
- To Freeze: When you are left with some cooked mozzarella sticks, prepare a ziplock bag to store the mozzarella sticks, and they will remain good for consumption for up to 2 months if frozen.
- To Reheat: Those with a microwave, transfer the meal into a microwaveable plate and warm for 1 to 1.5 minutes, or until it reaches desired temperature; or for a more traditional approach, preheat the oven at 180°C/350°F, then place the meal inside for about 10 minutes or for the air fryer set to 200°C/400°F for about 6 minutes.
- NET CARB: 1g
Nutrition Facts
- Calories:81kcal
- Carbohydrates:1g
- Protein:7g
- Fat:6g
- Sodium:247mg
- Potassium:10mg
- Calcium:63mg
- Iron:1mg
