Mozzarella fritta (fried cheese)
Mozzarella fritta is a simple and easy italian recipe that is served as an antipasto or snack all over the country.
Fresh mozzarella cheese is covered with bread crumbs and then deep fried; leaving a wonderful crunchy texture on the outside and soft, melted cheese in the inside.
You can serve this appetizer with a tomato and basil sauce (as pictured) or any other table sauce you prefer. We love serving those with guacamole sauce sometimes, an italian-mexican fusion that works perfectly!
The secret to avoid the cheese from melting and coming outside during the cooking is to coat it twice. This will create a more strong coat that will hold better the hot melted cheese.
Can mozzarella fritta be frozen?
Place breaded cheese slices in the freezer and let them solidify at least 6 hours. When they will be hard transfer them to a zipper bag for up to 3 months.
You don’t need to defrost them, just fry them as many as you want over medium heat to give time to the pieces to defrost while cooking.
Twist it!
- Add some parmigiano cheese to the bread crumbs, just not too much to it will burn easily.
- Mix in some finely chopped herbs. Basil and oregano for example.
- Make a healthier version by cooking it in the air fryer.
- Add a pinch of chilli flakes the the eggs mixture, this is my favourite twist.
Tips and tricks
- Coat twice the cheese, as the recipe calls. This will create a nice crunchier coat and also help to avoid the cheese from coming out the breading during frying.
- Place fried mozzarella on a cooling rack. If you put it over paper towels it will create some humidity and wet the pieces. Not so appetising…
- Fry a few pieces at time, it will be easier to flip them.
What do you need
MOZZARELLA CHEESE – Since this dish is all about one main ingredient: Mozzarella. I always use it fresh. Try a good quality one if you can.
EGGS – Beaten with salt and pepper. Add some chilli flakes for a nice spicy twist.
BREAD CRUMBS – I use italian bread crumbs most of times; but from time to time I like to mix in some Panko crumbs as well.
OIL – A type for frying, like peanut or canola oil.
SALT AND PEPPER – For taste, you can also add more spices if you want.
Mozzarella fritta – Recipe
Cut mozzarella into 1cm (0,40″) slices. Place it into a colander and let them drain for about one hour.
In a small bowl crack the eggs, season with salt and pepper and whisk until combined.
Dip a slice of mozzarella into the egg mixture. Then coat with bread crumbs. Repeat this step with the same slice of cheese to double coat it.
Place the coated cheese on a plate and repeat the process with all mozzarella.
Heat a good amount of frying oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry few pieces at time flipping them from time to time until golden and crunchy.
As they coming out from the oil place them onto a cooling rack, then serve immediately.
Mozzarella fritta (fried cheese)
Ingredients
- 400 gr fresh mozzarella cheese
- 2 medium eggs
- Italian bread crumbs
- Oil for frying
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cut mozzarella into 1cm (0,40″) slices. Place it into a colander and let them drain for about one hour.
- In a small bowl crack the eggs, season with salt and pepper and whisk until combined.
- Dip a slice of mozzarella into the egg mixture. Then coat with bread crumbs. Repeat this step with the same slice of cheese to double coat it.
- Place the coated cheese on a plate and repeat the process with all mozzarella.
- Heat a good amount of frying oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry few pieces at time flipping them from time to time until golden and crunchy.
- As they coming out from the oil place them onto a cooling rack, then serve immediately.
Mozzarella fritta looks so good!!! Def. Going to try this!!!!
Omg! I’ll make this for sure! Mozzarella sticks are my favorite but I always buy them at the store and just fry them. I never thought it would be this easy to make them at home. Thanks!