These Homemade Cheese Sticks are crispy, golden, and filled with warm, melty cheese. This easy Filipino-style snack uses a double coating of flour, egg, and breadcrumbs for an extra-crispy crust. Perfect for merienda, parties, appetizers, or even a simple snack to sell.
1block cheesesuch as Eden or another melting cheese
2eggs
1cupall-purpose flour
1cupbreadcrumbs
1teaspoonsalt
1teaspoonblack pepper
1tablespoonwater
Oilfor frying
Instructions
Slice the cheese into long, even sticks.
Place the all-purpose flour in one container.
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon water.
In another container, combine the breadcrumbs, salt, and black pepper.
Coat each cheese stick completely in flour.
Dip it into the beaten egg, then roll it in the seasoned breadcrumbs.
For an extra-crispy coating, dip the cheese stick into the egg again and coat it with breadcrumbs a second time.
Arrange the coated cheese sticks on a tray and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight.
Heat enough oil in a pan over low to medium-low heat.
Carefully fry the cheese sticks in small batches for about 1 minute, or until golden brown and crispy. Turn as needed for even browning.
Remove from the oil and drain on a cooling rack or paper-lined plate.
Serve immediately with ketchup, mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Make sure the cheese is completely covered with the coating to prevent melted cheese from leaking during frying.
Do not skip chilling the coated cheese sticks. This helps firm up the cheese and coating.
Avoid overcrowding the pan because it can lower the oil temperature and make the coating greasy.
Keep the heat at low to medium-low. Very high heat can brown the coating too quickly.
For lumpia-wrapper cheese sticks, wrap the cheese in lumpia wrappers, seal with water, dip in beaten egg, coat with breadcrumbs, and fry until golden and crisp.
Cheese sticks are best served immediately while the coating is hot and crispy.
Storage
Allow leftover cheese sticks to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. Refrigerate and consume within a couple of days.
Reheating
Reheat in an air fryer, oven, or toaster oven until hot and crisp. Avoid microwaving because it can make the coating soft and chewy.