Crispy Fried Cheese Cheesecake Factory: Two Delicious Recipes

Are you a cheese lover? Do you like crispy, crunchy snacks? If so, you’re in for a treat with these two recipes for Crispy Fried Cheese, inspired by the Cheesecake Factory’s famous appetizer. Impress your guests at your next gathering or indulge in a cheesy snack all to yourself.

Recipe 1: Classic Crispy Fried Cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 eggs
• 8 oz. block of mozzarella cheese, cut into 16 sticks
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions:

1. Preheat a deep fryer or a large pot filled with oil to 375°F.
2. In a shallow dish, mix together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. In another shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
4. In a third shallow dish, whisk together the eggs.
5. Dip each mozzarella stick into the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, and finally the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the crumbs onto the cheese to adhere.
6. Place the coated cheese sticks onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper and freeze for at least 30 minutes.
7. Working in batches, fry the cheese sticks until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes.
8. Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried cheese sticks from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
9. Serve hot with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutritional Information:

Serving Size: 2 sticks

Calories: 387

Total Fat: 19g

Saturated Fat: 8g

Cholesterol: 115mg

Sodium: 970mg

Total Carbohydrates: 31g

Dietary Fiber: 2g

Sugars: 2g

Protein: 21g

Cooking Time:

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Equipment:

• Deep fryer or large pot
• 3 shallow dishes
• Baking sheet
• Wax paper
• Slotted spoon

Serving Suggestions:

These Crispy Fried Cheese sticks are perfect as an appetizer or snack. Serve them with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.

Variations:

If you’re feeling adventurous, try using different types of cheese, such as cheddar or pepper jack. You can also add different spices to the breadcrumb mixture, such as cayenne pepper or Italian seasoning.

Substitutions:

If you don’t have panko breadcrumbs, you can use regular breadcrumbs instead. You can also substitute the Parmesan cheese with any other type of hard cheese.

Storage:

These Crispy Fried Cheese sticks are best served immediately after frying. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the cheese sticks on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, until heated through.

Tips:

• Freezing the cheese sticks before frying helps them hold their shape and prevents them from melting too quickly.
• Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying to ensure a crispy exterior.
• Don’t overcrowd the fryer or pot, as this can lower the temperature of the oil and result in soggy cheese sticks.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Can I bake these Crispy Fried Cheese sticks instead of frying them?

A: Yes, you can bake them in a preheated oven at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. However, they won’t be as crispy as when fried.

Q: Can I use pre-shredded cheese instead of a block?

A: Yes, but the cheese sticks may not hold their shape as well since pre-shredded cheese tends to be drier.

Recipe 2: Jalapeño Popper Crispy Fried Cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 eggs
• 8 oz. block of mozzarella cheese, cut into 16 sticks
• 4 jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely chopped
• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions:

1. Preheat a deep fryer or a large pot filled with oil to 375°F.
2. In a shallow dish, mix together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. In another shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
4. In a third shallow dish, whisk together the eggs.
5. In a small bowl, mix together the chopped jalapeño peppers and cream cheese.
6. Take each mozzarella stick and spread a teaspoon of the jalapeño cream cheese mixture onto one side. Roll the stick up tightly with the cream cheese mixture inside.
7. Dip each cheese stick into the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, and finally the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the crumbs onto the cheese to adhere.
8. Place the coated cheese sticks onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper and freeze for at least 30 minutes.
9. Working in batches, fry the cheese sticks until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes.
10. Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried cheese sticks from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
11. Serve hot with ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutritional Information:

Serving Size: 2 sticks

Calories: 426

Total Fat: 23g

Saturated Fat: 11g

Cholesterol: 128mg

Sodium: 1169mg

Total Carbohydrates: 32g

Dietary Fiber: 2g

Sugars: 2g

Protein: 22g

Cooking Time:

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Equipment:

• Deep fryer or large pot
• 3 shallow dishes
• Baking sheet
• Wax paper
• Slotted spoon

Serving Suggestions:

These Jalapeño Popper Crispy Fried Cheese sticks are perfect for game day or as a spicy snack. Serve them with ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce.

Variations:

Try using different types of peppers, such as serrano or habanero, for a spicier kick. You can also add crispy bacon bits to the breadcrumb mixture for a smoky flavor.

Substitutions:

If you don’t like spicy food, you can omit the jal