This Fried Ham and Cheese Mozzarella Sticks comes together in about 30 minutes and is fried to perfection for a quick and easy snack or meal that your family will love! Seriously, every time I whip these up, the kids are over the moon.
Ingredient Breakdown
To kick things off, here’s everything you’re gonna need to make these amazing Fried Ham and Cheese Mozzarella Sticks:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour: This is essential for giving those sticks that nice crispy coating. You can also swap it for almond flour if you’re looking for a gluten-free option!
- 4 large eggs: These will act as your binder and help the panko stick. Beautifully rich and fluffy omelettes await if you have leftovers!
- 2 1/2 oz. Parmesan cheese, finely grated (about 1 1/4 cups): Adds tons of flavor to the crispy coating. It’s like the secret weapon in this dish!
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs: These give that delightful crunch! If you only have regular breadcrumbs, those will work too, but you lose that extra texture.
- 12 mozzarella cheese sticks: Use full-sized ones or mini sticks, whichever you prefer! Either way, cheese is life.
- 12 thin slices of deli ham: You can use any ham you like, or even swap this out with turkey slices for a twist.
- 4 cups vegetable oil: This is for frying. I know it sounds like a lot, but it ensures each stick gets submerged and perfectly cooked.
- Flaky sea salt: A couple pinches at the end to elevate all the flavors!
For the dip:
- 6 Tbsp. mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
You’ve got all the ingredients? Awesome! Now let’s dive into how to make these heavenly sticks.
How to Make Fried Ham and Cheese Mozzarella Sticks
- Set up your dredging station: Pour flour into a shallow bowl, whisk eggs in another bowl, and combine Parmesan and panko in a third bowl.
- Wrap each mozzarella stick in a slice of ham, coat in flour, dip in egg wash, then roll in Parmesan-panko mixture.
- Heat oil to 350°F. Fry mozzarella sticks in batches for about 3 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
- For the dipping sauce, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Serve the fried mozzarella sticks on a platter with the dipping sauce on the side.
You’re officially done! It honestly couldn’t be easier.
If you loved these Fried Ham and Cheese Mozzarella Sticks, be sure to check out my Taco Bell Nacho Fries or my Iowa Party Bites! You won’t regret it!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
In a pinch for time? This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, the perfect answer to busy weeknight dinners when everyone’s starving!
Crowd-Pleaser
Let’s be real, everyone loves cheesy goodness! These Fried Ham and Cheese Mozzarella Sticks are sure to make everyone at the table smile. Kids, adults, noshers, everyone will be asking for more!
Customizable
Feel free to mix and match. Prefer turkey, maybe? Or swap the mozzarella sticks for pepper jack! Seriously, whatever suits your pantry works here. It’s all about using what you have!
Comfort Food
There’s just something about that crispy coating revealing gooey cheese inside that gives you all the cozy feels. It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for those laid-back nights!
Make-Ahead Friendly
Thinking about hosting? You can prep everything and coat your mozzarella sticks ahead of time. Just pop them into the fridge until you’re ready to fry! Couldn’t be simpler.
Serving and Storage Tips
What to Serve With This
These fried mozzarella sticks are fantastic on their own, but they also go well with a fresh salad or homemade tomato soup for a delightful meal! You could even throw in some raw veggies for a fun plate!
Storage
Leftovers? You lucky duck! They can stay in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just make sure to store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh and tasty.
Reheating Instructions
For the best results, reheat them in the oven at 375 degrees until crispy again, about 10 minutes should do the trick. You’ll thank me for keeping that crunch!
Freezer Friendly
Yes! You can freeze these after frying. Just let them cool completely, then put them in a resealable freezer bag, layer them with parchment paper to avoid sticking. They will keep for up to 3 months! When you’re ready, just pop them right into the fryer from frozen, no need to thaw!
Once you try these Fried Ham and Cheese Mozzarella Sticks, you may just find yourself making them every week! They’re that good! Enjoy the crispy, cheesy goodness and the delightful smiles that come with them. I can’t wait to hear how yours turn out! Happy cooking, friends!
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Fried Ham and Cheese Mozzarella Sticks
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
These delicious Fried Ham and Cheese Mozzarella Sticks are quick to prepare and perfect for a family snack or meal.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- 4 large eggs
- 2 1/2 oz. Parmesan cheese, finely grated (about 1 1/4 cups)
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 12 mozzarella cheese sticks
- 12 thin slices of deli ham (or turkey slices)
- 4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
- Flaky sea salt (to taste)
- 6 Tbsp. mayonnaise (for dip)
- 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Set up your dredging station: Pour flour into a shallow bowl, whisk eggs in another bowl, and combine Parmesan and panko in a third bowl.
- Wrap each mozzarella stick in a slice of ham, coat in flour, dip in egg wash, then roll in Parmesan-panko mixture.
- Heat oil to 350°F. Fry mozzarella sticks in batches for about 3 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
- For the dipping sauce, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Serve the fried mozzarella sticks on a platter with the dipping sauce on the side.
Notes
Feel free to customize the filling or dipping sauce to suit your tastes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 mozzarella sticks
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 200mg