If you’re looking for an easy and delicious way to incorporate the low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet into your life, look no further than this delicious Keto Mozzarella Sticks Recipe. This simple yet mouthwatering recipe will become a staple of your weekly meal plan. Not only is it a great way to get in some healthy fats and protein, but it also tastes amazing.
Plus, it can easily be vegan or vegetarian-friendly with just a few simple swaps. Get ready to indulge in a healthier take on one of the all-time favorite comfort foods!
Table of Contents
How Do You Make Mozzarella Sticks Without Breadcrumbs?
No one can resist mozzarella sticks, and many people think that going keto means skipping this delicious appetizer. But you can achieve the crunchy texture of the breading without using breadcrumbs to make keto-fried cheese sticks instead.
All you need to do is swap the carb-loaded breadcrumbs for heart-healthy almond flour. A light coating gives you the right texture while keeping the recipe for these low-carb mozzarella sticks strictly keto.
The Ingredients
Despite what you might think, this recipe’s ingredients are pretty simple and straightforward. You’ll find that they’re all easy to get ahold of, and there’s nothing complicated in the following ingredient list:
- 5 one-ounce sticks of mozzarella string cheese, halved widthwise
- 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon almond flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or 1/2 tsp. each of dried basil and oregano)
- 1 egg
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- You can begin by making the dredging mixture—mixing the dry ingredients in a bowl. So, in a bowl, you’ll mix almond flour, baking powder, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Make sure everything is well incorporated.
- Then, crack that egg in a separate bowl and whisk it together with salt and pepper. Set up a dredging station by lining up four bowls in order: the plain mozzarella sticks, the whisked egg, the dry mixture, and an empty plate.
- Now you’re going to dip each mozzarella stick in the egg mixture, and after letting the excess drip away, dredge it into the parmesan and almond flour mixture. Dust off the excess dry mixture and line up your mozzarella sticks on the empty plate. For added flavor and to make it extra crispy, repeat the dredging process for a double coating.
- Chill coated mozzarella sticks in the freezer for 25 minutes. This will help maintain the structural integrity when you deep fry them.
- Now it’s time to start frying those gooey cheese sticks. Fill a pot or pan with half an inch of oil and place it on medium heat. (Note: make sure the pot/pan is less than half full, or choose one with higher walls)
- Insert a wooden spoon into the oil,if it bubbles vigorously then the oil is hot enough for frying. Fry the keto cheese sticks until they are golden brown on all sides (60 to 90 seconds per side).
- Place the fried mozzarella sticks on a wire rack to drain excess oil, or on paper towels. Serve hot, alone or with a side of low carb marinara sauce.
Tips To Make The Best Keto Mozzarella Sticks
While this recipe is very easy to follow, you can do a few things to simplify the process and make the best keto mozzarella sticks with less effort. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- As always with dredging, use one hand to dip the mozzarella sticks into the wet ingredients (eggs) and one hand to handle the dry ingredients. This will keep things less messy and prevent clumps in the coating on your cheese sticks.
- Don’t start frying until you’re sure the oil is hot enough. Either use a wooden spoon (or cheap chopsticks) to test the oil, or a kitchen thermometer. This ensures that the crust is browned thoroughly in the same time it takes to melt the cheese. Otherwise they might fall apart as they soak up the oil.
- Avoid shallow frying the mozzarella sticks. Deep frying in at least an inch of oil ensures even browning. It also doesn’t require you to keep flipping the mozzarella sticks, which might cause the cheese to ooze out.
- Add different spices to change the flavor if you like. Add more delicate spices (such as paprika) to the eggs so they do not burn. You can add herbs or more sturdy spices to the dry mix since they’ll hold up to the heat.
Tips For Storing & Freezing Low-Carb Cheese Sticks
This recipe may only take a short time, but it’s much more convenient to make a large batch and freeze it. You can freeze the coated (not fried) low-carb mozzarella sticks as part of your meal prep. Here are a few tips to keep in mind for freezing them:
- Freeze the mozzarella sticks on a tray, container, or sheet pan. Ensure the individual sticks have spaces in between so they don’t stick to each other.
- Once frozen solid (typically after 8 hours), you can transfer your frozen cheese sticks to a freezer bag.
- Take out as much air as possible from your freezer bag after putting in the mozzarella sticks. This will help prevent freezer burn and make it easier to pull out individual sticks when needed.
- Frozen, uncooked keto mozzarella sticks will last up to 3 months in the freezer.
- Always label your freezer bag. Include the name of the food and the expiration date (3 months in this case).
- To cook the mozzarella sticks, you do not need to thaw them. Simply fry them from frozen by keeping them in the oil for slightly longer.
If you’ve already cooked your mozzarella sticks, freezing is no longer an option. However, you can keep any leftovers (if any!) in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat the leftovers, you pop them in the oven at medium heat until they’re fully warmed up. A microwave is also useful for heating them up, but watch out for gooey cheese oozing out.
FAQs
How many carbs are in keto mozzarella sticks?
Each one of these keto mozzarella sticks contains only 2 grams of carbs, which is low enough for even strict ketogenic diets.
Are mozzarella sticks from Sonic keto?
No, the mozzarella sticks from Sonic are loaded with carbs and won’t fit within your keto diet’s low-carb restriction.
Keto Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients
- 5 one-ounce sticks of mozzarella string cheese halved widthwise
- 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon coconut flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder optional
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or 1/2 t. each of dried basil and oregano
- 1 egg
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Whisk the egg with salt and pepper in a small bowl. In a separate shallow dish, combine the dry ingredients.
- Dip each piece of cheese into the egg, then roll in the parmesan mixture to coat. Repeat this twice to form a double coating on each cheese stick.
- Place cheese sticks into a small rectangular dish or other container and chill in the freezer for at least 25 minutes.
- Heat about half an inch of oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
- Fry cheese sticks until golden brown, about 60 to 90 seconds per side. Drain excess oil on paper towels.
- Serve alone or with a side of low-carb marinara sauce for dipping.
