Description
Crispy zucchini cheese bites bring Southern comfort cuisine straight to your kitchen table. Melted cheese wrapped in golden breading creates irresistible appetizers perfect for game day or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) mozzarella or cheddar cheese, cut into cubes
Breading Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Prepare cheese cubes by cutting into uniform bite-sized pieces and placing in the freezer for half an hour to firm up the texture and prevent melting during frying.
- Create a precise three-stage coating system using separate containers: one with seasoned flour, another with whisked eggs, and the final bowl containing breadcrumbs enhanced with aromatic garlic powder, smoky paprika, balanced salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Methodically transform each frozen cheese cube by first rolling in flour to create a dry surface, then thoroughly drenching in beaten egg, and finally generously coating with the spiced breadcrumb mixture, repeating the egg and breadcrumb process for an extra crispy exterior.
- Warm vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer, carefully monitoring the temperature to reach precisely 350°F, which ensures optimal golden-brown crispiness without burning.
- Carefully lower the breaded cheese cubes into the hot oil in small batches, allowing each piece space to cook evenly, and fry for approximately 1-2 minutes until they develop a gorgeous amber-brown crust and emit a tempting aroma.
- Extract the fried morsels using a slotted spoon, allowing excess oil to drip away, and transfer to absorbent paper towels to remove additional grease, then serve immediately while hot and accompanied by a complementary dipping sauce of choice.
Notes
- Freeze cheese cubes solid to prevent melting too quickly during frying, ensuring a crispy exterior and gooey interior.
- Double-coat the cheese with breadcrumbs for an extra crunchy and golden-brown shell that locks in the melty goodness.
- Use cold cheese and hot oil to create a perfect contrast of temperatures, preventing cheese from leaking out during frying.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like mozzarella, cheddar, or pepper jack for unique flavor profiles and texture variations.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg