Mozzarella Cheese Balls (Print Version)
Crispy fried mozzarella bites with a seasoned breadcrumb coating. Golden outside, melted inside—perfect party appetizer.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cheese
01 - 8 oz mozzarella cheese block or bocconcini, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
→ Coating
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 2 tbsp milk
05 - 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
06 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1 tsp dried oregano
08 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
09 - 1/2 tsp salt
10 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Frying
11 - Vegetable oil, for deep frying
# How to Make It:
01 - Set up three shallow bowls: place flour in the first bowl, whisk eggs with milk in the second bowl, and combine panko, Parmesan, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in the third bowl.
02 - Pat mozzarella cubes dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring better coating adhesion.
03 - Dredge each mozzarella cube in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into egg mixture, then coat thoroughly with breadcrumb mixture. For extra-crispy results, repeat the egg and breadcrumb coating steps.
04 - Place coated cheese balls on a tray and freeze for 15 minutes. This helps prevent cheese from melting too quickly during frying.
05 - Pour vegetable oil into a deep saucepan or fryer and heat to 350°F.
06 - Fry cheese balls in batches for 1-2 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
07 - Serve immediately with marinara sauce or your preferred dipping accompaniment.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- That moment you bite through the crispy shell and molten cheese pulls apart like magic
- They disappear faster than you can fry the next batch, so make double
02 -
- Never skip the freezer step, or your cheese will burst through the coating the second it hits hot oil
- Crowding the pan drops the oil temperature dramatically, so fry in small batches for consistent results
03 -
- Work quickly when handling the cheese, as your warm hands will start to melt it and make coating difficult
- Keep a bowl of water nearby to clean your fingers between batches, which helps maintain even coating