Spinach Mozzarella Sticks

 

Spinach Mozzarella Sticks 

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh spinach leaves (or 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained)

8 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into sticks (about 12 sticks)

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 eggs, beaten

1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs (panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper to taste

Vegetable oil (for frying)

Marinara sauce (for serving)

Instructions:

Prepare the Spinach:

If using fresh spinach, sauté it in a pan with a little olive oil until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Let it cool, then finely chop the spinach. If using frozen spinach, ensure it's fully thawed, drained, and chopped.

Prepare the Breading Station:

Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

Coat the Mozzarella Sticks:

Take a mozzarella stick and wrap a small amount of spinach around it.

Dredge the spinach-wrapped mozzarella stick in flour, shaking off any excess.

Dip it into the beaten eggs, ensuring it's fully coated.

Roll the stick in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs to adhere well. Repeat this process with all the mozzarella sticks.

Freeze the Mozzarella Sticks:

Place the coated mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Freeze for at least 1 hour to ensure the cheese doesn’t melt too quickly when frying.

Fry the Mozzarella Sticks:

Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C).

Fry the mozzarella sticks in batches for about 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Be careful not to overcrowd the fryer.

Remove and drain on paper towels.

Serve:

Serve the spinach mozzarella sticks hot with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes:

For a healthier version, you can bake the mozzarella sticks in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

You can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture for a little kick.

Prep Time: 20 mins (plus 1 hour freezing time) | Cooking Time: 10 mins | Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins | Kcal: ~150 per stick | Servings: 12 sticks