Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and boiled
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated cheddar cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Ingredient Highlights
- Potatoes: The base of this recipe is the soft, mashed potato that provides a creamy texture for the cheesy filling. Choose starchy potatoes like russets for the best results.
- Cheese: Mozzarella and cheddar create the perfect cheese combination – mozzarella for meltiness and cheddar for a sharp flavor.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs add an extra layer of crunch to these cheese sticks, ensuring they’re crispy on the outside while soft and gooey on the inside.
- Egg and Flour: The egg acts as a binding agent, while the flour helps create a firm coating around the potato cheese mixture, which holds its shape when frying.
- Seasoning: Garlic and onion powder, along with parsley, add flavor and freshness to the overall dish, elevating the taste of the cheese sticks.
Instructions
Prepare the Potato Mixture
- Boil the Potatoes: Start by boiling the potatoes until they are tender and easily pierced with a fork, about 15-20 minutes. Drain the water and mash the potatoes until smooth.
- Add Cheese and Seasoning: In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes with mozzarella, cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix until the cheese is evenly distributed and the mixture is smooth.
- Shape the Potato Cheese Sticks: Scoop a tablespoon of the potato mixture and roll it into a ball. Then, shape it into a log or stick shape. Repeat this process with the remaining mixture, forming about 12-16 sticks depending on the size.
Coat the Potato Cheese Sticks
- Prepare the Breading Station: In one shallow dish, add the flour. In another shallow dish, beat the egg. In the third dish, place the breadcrumbs.
- Coat the Sticks: First, dip each potato stick into the flour, ensuring it’s lightly coated. Then, dip it into the beaten egg, and finally coat it with breadcrumbs. Repeat this for each stick, making sure the coating is even.
Fry the Potato Cheese Sticks
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet, heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil over medium heat. The oil should be hot enough for frying (around 350°F or 175°C).
- Fry the Sticks: Once the oil is hot, carefully place the potato cheese sticks into the oil. Fry them in batches, ensuring they don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain the Excess Oil: Once fried, use a slotted spoon to remove the sticks from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
Serve the Potato Cheese Sticks
- Serve Hot: Once the sticks have cooled for a minute or two, serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, ranch, or spicy mayo.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Protein: 8g