Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is a bit like preparing for a flavorful journey. Here’s what you’ll need to start:
- 8 mozzarella sticks
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
- Oil for frying
Feel free to adjust the spices to suit your taste. My abuela always encouraged us to make recipes our own, so don’t be afraid to experiment!
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of cheesy goodness:
- First, make the spinach dip filling. In a medium bowl, mix together the chopped spinach, cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir until well combined and set aside.
- Next, prepare your mozzarella sticks by cutting them in half if they’re large. This helps them cook evenly and makes them easier to handle.
- Spread a small amount of the spinach dip mixture onto each mozzarella stick, then freeze them for about 30 minutes. This will help the filling stay in place during frying.
- Set up your breading station with three shallow dishes. Place the flour in one, the beaten eggs in the second, and the breadcrumbs in the third.
- Once the mozzarella sticks are chilled, coat each one in flour, then dip in the egg, and finally coat with breadcrumbs. Repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps for an extra crispy coating.
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully fry the mozzarella sticks in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- Remove the sticks from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate before serving.
Remember, cooking is about enjoying the process as much as the final product. Take your time and savor each step!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International