Cheese Sticks And Keto: What's The Verdict?

Are cheese sticks keto? The answer is yes, and they are a perfect appetizer or snack for those on a keto diet.

Mozzarella sticks are a popular snack, but the traditional coating is often high in carbs. However, by using a combination of almond flour, coconut flour, and pork rind crumbs, you can create a delicious, crispy, low-carb coating.

The key to success is to freeze the cheese sticks before frying, baking, or air-frying them. This helps to prevent the cheese from melting and oozing out.

So, if you're craving a cheesy snack and are on a keto diet, cheese sticks are a great option!

Keto mozzarella sticks ingredients

Keto mozzarella sticks are a great snack option for those on a low-carb or keto diet. They are easy to make and can be cooked in an air fryer, stovetop, or oven. Here are the ingredients you will need to make them:

• Mozzarella cheese sticks (string cheese)
• Almond flour
• Pork panko or keto breadcrumbs (crushed pork rinds)
• Parmesan cheese
• Egg
• Water
• Italian herbs (optional)
• Oil for frying (avocado, olive, or coconut oil)

Preparing the Mozzarella Sticks:

First, cut the mozzarella cheese sticks in half. In one bowl, mix the almond flour, pork panko or keto breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and Italian herbs (if using). In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and water to make an egg wash.

Next, dip each mozzarella stick in the egg wash and then coat with the flour mixture. Repeat this step for a double coating. Place the coated mozzarella sticks on a lined plate and freeze for about 2 hours.

Cooking Methods:

Stovetop:

Add 2-3 tablespoons of oil to a deep pan and heat over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the frozen mozzarella sticks and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.

Oven:

Preheat the oven to 240C/500F. Place the frozen mozzarella sticks on a lined baking sheet and lightly spray with cooking spray. Bake for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Air Fryer:

Place the frozen mozzarella sticks in the air fryer basket and cook at 200C/400F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Storage:

Cooked keto mozzarella sticks can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months. To reheat, place in a preheated oven (180C/350F) for 10 minutes or in an air fryer (200C/400F) for 6 minutes.

Keto mozzarella sticks cooking methods

Keto mozzarella sticks are a great low-carb snack or appetizer. They are easy to make and can be cooked in various ways, including frying, baking, or using an air fryer. Here are some detailed instructions on how to make them using different cooking methods:

Frying Method:

• Cut the mozzarella string cheese sticks in half.
• Prepare three bowls: one with almond flour, one with whisked egg, and one with a mixture of almond flour, crushed pork rinds, and Italian seasoning.
• Dip each cheese stick first in the almond flour, then in the egg, and finally in the almond flour-pork rind mixture. Repeat the process for a double coating.
• Place the coated cheese sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least an hour.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the frozen cheese sticks into the oil, making sure they do not touch each other.
• Fry for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
• Remove the cheese sticks from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.
• Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce, such as marinara or ranch.

Baking Method:

• Follow the same preparation steps as the frying method, including freezing the coated cheese sticks.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Place the frozen cheese sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 4-5 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown.

Air Fryer Method:

• Follow the same preparation steps and freeze the coated cheese sticks.
• Preheat the air fryer to 370-400°F (188-200°C).
• Place the frozen cheese sticks in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded.
• Cook for 7-12 minutes, depending on your air fryer, flipping halfway through, until golden brown.

Tips for Success:

• It is important to freeze the coated cheese sticks before cooking to prevent the cheese from melting during the cooking process.
• Use different hands for the wet and dry steps during the coating process to avoid the breading from sticking to your fingers.
• Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying, but not too hot to prevent the cheese from melting.
• For a crispier texture, frying or air frying is recommended over baking.
• You can also deep fry the cheese sticks for a more traditional fried mozzarella stick experience.

Keto mozzarella sticks cooking tips

Ingredients

Firstly, make sure you have the right ingredients. For keto-friendly mozzarella sticks, you'll need mozzarella string cheese, eggs, almond flour, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Some recipes also include coconut flour, garlic powder, salt, and ground pork rinds (or pork panko).

Preparation

Before you start, it's important to note that the mozzarella sticks need to be frozen for at least an hour before cooking. This will help prevent the cheese from melting too quickly and ensure the outer coating gets crispy.

When you're ready to start, cut the mozzarella sticks in half to create two shorter sticks from each. Set up a dipping station with the cheese sticks, followed by a bowl of beaten egg (the egg wash), then a bowl of the "breading" mix (a combination of almond flour, parmesan cheese, and any additional seasonings), and finally, a small pan or dish covered with parchment paper.

Now, dip each cheese stick in the following order: first, the egg wash, and second, the breading mix. Repeat this process a second time to double-coat the cheese sticks. Make sure each cheese stick is fully coated, with no cheese showing through, to prevent the cheese from oozing out during cooking.

Cooking Methods

There are several ways to cook keto mozzarella sticks, including air frying, pan-frying, deep frying, and baking. Here are some tips for each method:

• Air Frying: Grease your air fryer basket and/or tin foil liner, as well as each cheese stick, with cooking spray. Place the cheese sticks in the air fryer and cook at 370-400°F for 7-10 minutes, checking frequently after the first 5 minutes to prevent overcooking.
• Pan-Frying: Add 2-3 tablespoons of oil to a non-stick pan and place over medium heat. Once hot, add the frozen cheese sticks and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
• Deep Frying: Place the breaded cheese sticks on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and freeze completely. When frozen, warm your oil to 365°F and carefully lower the cheese sticks into the oil for about 1 minute each.
• Baking: Preheat the oven to 400-500°F. Place the breaded cheese sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and lightly spray the exterior with cooking spray. Bake for 4-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown.

Serving

Serve your keto mozzarella sticks immediately to ensure they remain crispy and gooey. They go well with dipping sauces like marinara sauce and ranch dressing. Enjoy!

Keto mozzarella sticks dipping sauces

Mozzarella sticks are delicious on their own, but they're even better when paired with a tasty dipping sauce! Here are some ideas for keto-friendly sauces to serve with your mozzarella sticks:

Marinara Sauce

The standard dip for mozzarella sticks is marinara sauce. However, many store-bought marinara sauces contain added sugars, which can increase the carbohydrate count. Here are some recommended low-carb options:

• Yo Mama Marinara Sauce
• Rao's Marinara Sauce
• Keto Pizza Sauce

Ranch Dressing

A popular alternative to marinara sauce is ranch dressing. Most ranch dressings are low in carbs, but be sure to check the labels to avoid added sugars or excess carbs. Here are some keto-friendly options:

• Keto Ranch Dressing
• Store-bought ranch (in suggested serving amounts)

Other Dipping Sauce Ideas

If you're feeling adventurous or want to offer a variety of dipping options, here are some other keto-friendly sauces that would pair well with mozzarella sticks:

• Keto Pizza Sauce
• Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce
• Buffalo Sauce
• Keto Cheese Sauce
• Keto Alfredo Sauce

So, go ahead and indulge in those keto mozzarella sticks with one (or more!) of these delicious dipping sauces. Enjoy!

Keto mozzarella sticks variations

Keto mozzarella sticks are a great snack option for those on a low-carb diet. Here are some variations to the classic recipe:

Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks

Air fryers are a popular option for making keto mozzarella sticks. This method results in a similar texture to traditionally fried sticks, without the mess of deep frying. To make them, simply bread the cheese sticks as usual, freeze them, and then place them in the air fryer basket. Cook at 370-400°F for 7-12 minutes, depending on your air fryer model.

Oven-Baked Mozzarella Sticks

Baking is a healthier alternative to frying, and it's also a safer option for those who are uncomfortable with deep frying. To make oven-baked keto mozzarella sticks, bread the cheese sticks, freeze them, and then place them on a lined baking sheet. Lightly spray the exterior with cooking spray and bake at 400°F for 4-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Deep-Fried Mozzarella Sticks

For the classic fried mozzarella stick experience, you can deep fry your keto sticks. Bread the cheese sticks, freeze them, and then carefully lower them into a pot of hot oil (at least 3 inches deep) that has been heated to 365°F. Fry for about 1 minute per stick.

Pan-Fried Mozzarella Sticks

Pan frying is another option that is similar to deep frying but with less oil. Bread the cheese sticks, freeze them, and then fry them in a skillet with enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Fry each stick for about 1 minute on each side, or until golden brown.

Alternative Coatings

While the classic keto mozzarella stick coating includes almond flour, pork panko (ground pork rinds), and parmesan cheese, there are several alternative coatings you can use:

• Coconut flour: This will give your fried mozzarella sticks a hint of coconut flavor.
• Lupin flour: This adds a nice flavor but can be hard to find in grocery stores.
• Protein powder: Using zero-carb protein powder will lower the carb count even further.
• Oat fiber: This is a zero-carb option but can be difficult to source.
• Grated parmesan cheese: This will add a slight salty, nutty flavor to your sticks.
• Keto flours: You can do a double or triple coating of more almond flour, coconut flour, or other keto-friendly flours.

Frequently asked questions