Tangy Mozzarella Bites Food

TANGY MOZZARELLA BITES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the oil, vinegar, garlic, basil and pepper. Add cheese; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

AIR-FRIED MOZZARELLA CHEESE BITES WITH SPICY MARINARA SAUCE

Steps:

• Whisk egg and water together in a shallow dish. Stir flour, salt, and Italian seasoning together in another shallow dish. Place bread crumbs in a third shallow dish.
• Dip cheese sticks into egg mixture, then coat with flour mixture. Dip again into egg mixture, then into bread crumbs until coated. Place on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, about 1 hour.
• Preheat an air fryer to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C). Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
• Place frozen cheese bites in a single layer in the air fryer, working in batches if necessary, being careful not to crowd.
• Cook in the preheated air fryer until golden brown and cheese just begins to melt, 4 to 6 minutes. Repeat with remaining bites.
• Meanwhile, stir together marinara sauce and crushed red pepper.
• Serve mozzarella bites with marinara sauce.

MOZZARELLA STICKS

Steps:

• Cut the mozzarella into 'chips'. Tip the flour into a bowl and season well. Whisk the eggs in a second bowl and tip the breadcrumbs, paprika and oregano into a third. Coat the mozzarella sticks in the flour, then the egg, then the breadcrumbs. Transfer to a parchment-lined tray and freeze for at least 2 hrs.
• Heat enough oil to come 2-3cm up the side of a saucepan. When hot, drop in a test chip - it should sizzle straight away and brown within a minute or two. The secret is to cook them long enough to crisp up the outside without letting the mozzarella ooze out - it may take you a few practice chips to get it right. Cook the chips in batches and drain on kitchen paper. Serve hot with your favourite dip.

TOMATO AND MOZZARELLA BITES

Steps:

• Using a toothpick, spear a half of a tomato, a leaf of basil, a mozzarella ball, and another half of a tomato. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
• Place on a serving dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Mix the vinegar and oil together in a small bowl to serve as a dipping sauce.

BUFFALO FRIED MOZZARELLA BITES

Steps:

• For the mozzarella bites: Cut the mozzarella sticks into fourths, creating bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
• Add the flour to a shallow dish. Combine the eggs and milk in a second shallow dish. Combine the panko, Parmesan and parsley in a third shallow dish.
• Bread the mozzarella by first rolling each piece in the flour, then dunking it in the egg/milk mixture, then placing it in the panko mixture. Use your hands to ensure the entire piece is coated in the breadcrumbs. Transfer to a sheet pan and repeat with the remaining mozzarella pieces. Transfer to the freezer to firm up, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add two inches of oil to a skillet. Heat to 375 degrees F.
• For the buffalo sauce: Combine the hot sauce, butter, Worcestershire sauce and apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat until the butter has melted and the sauce is hot, then remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.
• Fry the mozzarella bites in batches until golden, between 45 seconds to 1 minute, being careful not to overcook. Carefully remove to drain on a paper towel and immediately sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Serve hot alongside a bowl of warm buffalo sauce, a bowl of ranch dressing and the carrot and celery sticks.