Ingredients
Gather your ingredients and get ready to create something truly special. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 mozzarella sticks
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil, for frying
If you’re missing an ingredient, no worries! You can substitute fresh spinach with frozen, just be sure to thaw and drain it well. And if parmesan isn’t on hand, a similar hard cheese like pecorino will work beautifully.
Instructions
Let’s dive into the process and bring these delicious sticks to life:
- In a medium bowl, mix together the chopped spinach, cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Take each mozzarella stick and cut it in half. Flatten a small portion of the spinach mixture into your palm and wrap it around each half of the mozzarella stick, ensuring it’s fully covered.
- Set up a breading station with three separate shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs.
- Coat each spinach-covered mozzarella stick in flour, then dip it into the egg, and finally coat it with breadcrumbs. For an extra crispy texture, repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the sticks in the oil, a few at a time, and fry until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve hot and enjoy!
Remember, patience is key. Frying in small batches ensures that the oil temperature stays consistent, resulting in perfectly crispy sticks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International