Home-Fried Cheese Sticks

Ingredients

• Makes 24
• 12 (1 ounce) mozzarella sticks string cheese
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 1/2 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• vegetable oil for frying, or as needed
• Tool: a cooking thermometer

Directions

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place the eggs into a shallow bowl and beat.
3. Place the Italian crumbs into a dish.
4. Remove the plastic wrappings from the mozzarella cheese sticks. Cut the strings in half crosswise.
5. Dip each cheese stick into the egg then roll in the bread crumbs to coat completely. Place onto the baking sheet.
6. Allow to stand at room temperature for 5 minutes to set.
7. Repeat the process, dipping each one back into the egg, then the crumbs to form a nice thick coating.
8. Place into the freezer for 2 hours.
9. When ready, pour enough oil into a large saucepan so it is about 2 inches deep.
10. Heat the oil to 350F. (no hotter) Check with a thermometer.
11. Drop a few cheese sticks at a time into the heated oil and cook for a few minutes until golden brown on the outside.
12. Remove with tongs onto a plate lined with paper towels.
13. Allow to cool slightly before serving with your favorite dip.