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Spinach Dip Mozzarella Sticks

A genius party appetizer combining the rich flavors of creamy spinach dip with the crispy, gooey perfection of a fried mozzarella stick.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Freezing Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 12 sticks
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 210

Ingredients
  

Filling
  • 0.5 cup frozen chopped spinach thawed and squeezed completely dry
  • 0.5 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
Breading & Frying
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 large eggs beaten
  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 qt vegetable oil for frying

Equipment

  • Deep Fryer or Dutch Oven
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Mixing bowls

Method
 

  1. Thaw the spinach and squeeze it inside a kitchen towel until completely dry. This prevents watery filling.
  2. In a bowl, mix the dry spinach, parmesan, cream cheese, and mozzarella until it forms a cohesive dough.
  3. Roll the cheese mixture into 12-15 individual stick shapes. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour.
  4. Set up a breading station: flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in another, and panko mixed with Italian seasoning in a third.
  5. Take the frozen sticks and coat them in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. Dip back into the egg and again into the breadcrumbs (double breading).
  6. Freeze the fully breaded sticks for another 30 minutes while you heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep pot.
  7. Fry the sticks in small batches for 1.5 to 2 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

Notes

The double freezing and double breading steps are absolutely critical to prevent the cheese from exploding into the fryer.