Description
Crunchy and golden fried ham and cheese mozzarella sticks featuring layers of tender mozzarella wrapped in savory ham, coated with a crispy Parmesan and panko breadcrumb crust. Served with a tangy mustard-mayo dipping sauce, this appetizer is perfect for parties or a delicious snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Coating Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs, beaten
- 2 1/2 oz Parmesan cheese, finely grated (about 1 1/4 cups)
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
Main Ingredients
- 12 mozzarella cheese sticks
- 12 thin slices deli ham
- 4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Dipping Sauce
- 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the coating bowls: Place the flour into a shallow bowl large enough to fit a mozzarella stick. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs until blended. In a third shallow bowl, combine the grated Parmesan and panko breadcrumbs, tossing evenly.
- Wrap and coat the mozzarella sticks: Wrap each mozzarella stick with one slice of ham, leaving the ends exposed if necessary. Place them on a plate or baking sheet. Dredge each ham-wrapped stick in flour, shaking off any excess. Dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing extra egg to drip off, then roll it in the Parmesan-panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Dip again in egg and then back into the Parmesan mixture to create a double coating. Repeat this process for all the sticks.
- Heat the oil: Pour the vegetable oil into a large, heavy, high-sided skillet equipped with a deep-fry thermometer. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the mozzarella sticks: Fry the coated mozzarella sticks in batches to avoid overcrowding. Using tongs, turn them occasionally so they brown evenly. Fry until golden brown, approximately 3 minutes per batch. Remove and transfer to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil. Immediately sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
- Make the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth.
- Serve: Arrange the fried mozzarella sticks on a platter alongside the prepared dipping sauce and serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the oil temperature stays around 350°F to avoid greasy or undercooked sticks.
- Double coating the mozzarella sticks creates an extra crispy crust that helps prevent the cheese from melting out during frying.
- Use a wire rack instead of paper towels to keep the sticks crispy after frying.
- Leftover sticks can be reheated in a hot oven or air fryer to regain crispiness but are best served fresh.
- If you don’t have panko breadcrumbs, regular breadcrumbs can be used but won’t be as crunchy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: fried mozzarella sticks, ham and cheese appetizer, crispy mozzarella, party snacks, fried cheese sticks
