Ham and Cheese Sticks (Printable)
Golden crispy sticks with savory ham and melted mozzarella cheese, perfect for parties and snacking.
# What You'll Need:
→ Main Ingredients
01 - 12 slices cooked ham, thinly sliced
02 - 12 sticks mozzarella cheese (3 x 1 x 1 inches each, or string cheese)
03 - 12 slices sandwich bread, crusts removed
→ Egg Wash & Coating
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 2 tablespoons milk
06 - 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ For Frying
11 - Vegetable oil for deep frying
# How-To Steps:
01 - Using a rolling pin, flatten each slice of sandwich bread until thin and pliable.
02 - Place a slice of ham evenly on each bread slice. Lay a mozzarella stick along one edge, then roll up tightly to enclose the cheese completely.
03 - In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs and milk until fully combined.
04 - In a separate bowl, combine breadcrumbs, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper, and salt. Mix well.
05 - Dip each roll into the egg wash, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
06 - Pour vegetable oil into a deep pan and heat to 350°F.
07 - Fry the sticks in batches for 2-3 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
08 - Let cool for 2 minutes before serving to allow cheese to set slightly.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- They come together faster than you can decide on a movie, which is basically the ultimate weeknight win
- The contrast between that shattering crust and stretchy hot cheese hits every single comfort button
02 -
- Crowding the pan drops the oil temperature and makes these greasy instead of crispy, so patience is your friend
- The bread needs to be rolled thin enough that you can almost see through it, or they end up with a weird doughy texture
03 -
- Freeze uncooked sticks on a baking sheet, then transfer to a bag and fry straight from frozen, just add a minute to cook time
- Aim for uniform size so they all cook at the same rate, because nobody likes half their batch burned while the other half is still cold in the center