Let’s be real—cheese is already perfect. But toss it in a crispy, golden crust and drop it into sizzling hot oil? Now that’s food worth fighting over. This homemade fried cheese recipe is the snack you didn’t know you needed—until now. No fancy gadgets, no five-star chef skills—just pure, gooey goodness that sticks to the roof of your mouth and makes you feel like you’re dining at a trendy bistro in downtown Manhattan.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 pound semi-hard cheese (like sharp yellow cheese or low-moisture mozzarella), cut into cubes
- 4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions:
While fried foods aren’t an everyday health food, treating yourself to a cheesy snack like this once in a while is totally worth it!
- Line a baking sheet or large plate with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, combine flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs.
- Place the panko breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
- Dip each cheese cube into the flour mixture, turning to coat. Shake off the excess.
- Then dip the cheese into the beaten eggs, letting the excess drip off.
- Finally, coat the cheese in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently so the crumbs stick well.
- Arrange the coated cheese pieces on the prepared baking sheet. Freeze for at least 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a deep saucepan or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Carefully add the cheese cubes to the hot oil in batches. Fry until golden brown, turning as needed for even cooking.
Transfer the fried cheese to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Repeat with the remaining cheese. Serve warm.
Pro Tip:
For the best results, freeze the coated cheese cubes for about 40 minutes before frying. Also, make sure the coating is thin but fully covers the cheese—this helps prevent the breading from breaking and sticking to the pan during frying.
