Crispy Doritos-Crusted Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

Introduction

Crispy Doritos-Crusted Mozzarella Sticks bring a fun, flavorful twist to a classic snack. Coated in crunchy Doritos crumbs, these gooey cheese sticks are perfect for parties or a tasty appetizer. Whether fried or baked, they offer irresistible texture and bold flavor.

Ingredients

• Half a bag of Doritos chips (about 9–10 oz), flavor of your choice
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 12 mozzarella string-cheese sticks (or 6 full ones cut in half)
• Vegetable oil for frying, or oil spray for baking/air-frying
• Optional dipping sauces: marinara, ranch, salsa, chipotle mayo, etc.

Instructions

1. Step 1: Crush the Doritos by processing them into coarse breadcrumbs or crushing inside a sealed bag using a rolling pin.
2. Step 2: Prepare three bowls for the breading station: one with flour, one with beaten egg, and one with the crushed Doritos crumbs.
3. Step 3: Freeze the mozzarella sticks for 15–20 minutes to firm them up before breading.
4. Step 4: One at a time, coat each cheese stick in flour, shaking off excess. Then dip into the egg, followed by rolling in the Doritos crumbs, pressing gently to adhere. For a thicker crust, repeat the egg and crumb coating. Place the coated sticks on a lined tray.
5. Step 5: Freeze the breaded sticks for at least 1 hour to prevent cheese from leaking during cooking.
6. Step 6: To cook, either fry in vegetable oil heated to about 350°F (175°C) for 1–2 minutes per side until golden and crisp, or bake at 425°F (220°C) or air fry at 375°F (190°C) until crisp and golden. Watch closely as Doritos can brown quickly. Drain fried sticks on paper towels.
7. Step 7: Serve immediately while hot with your choice of dipping sauces.

Tips & Variations

• Use flavored Doritos like Nacho Cheese or Cool Ranch to customize the taste.
• For extra crispiness, double-dip in egg and crumbs before freezing.
• Air frying is a healthier alternative and still produces great crunch.
• If you prefer less mess, try baking on a wire rack to let excess oil drip away.

Storage

Store any leftover coated, uncooked sticks in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 month. Cooked mozzarella sticks are best eaten fresh, but can be reheated in a hot oven or air fryer for a few minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of cheese instead of mozzarella?

Mozzarella works best due to its melting properties and mild flavor, but you can experiment with similar melting cheeses like provolone or string cheese varieties. Avoid hard cheeses as they won’t melt well.

What if I don’t have Doritos—can I use something else?

Yes, crushed tortilla chips, seasoned breadcrumbs, or even crushed cornflakes can work as a crunchy coating, though Doritos add a unique flavor and color that’s hard to replicate.

Crispy Doritos-Crusted Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 65 reviews

• Author: lina
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 12–16 mozzarella sticks 1x

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Description

Crispy Doritos-Crusted Mozzarella Sticks are a fun and flavorful twist on traditional mozzarella sticks. Coated in crunchy Doritos crumbs for an extra burst of cheesy, tangy flavor, these sticks are perfect for frying, baking, or air frying. Serve them hot with your favorite dipping sauces like marinara, ranch, or chipotle mayo for a delicious appetizer or snack.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• Half a bag of Doritos chips (about 9–10 oz), flavor of your choice
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 12 mozzarella string-cheese sticks (or 6 full ones cut in half)
• Vegetable oil for frying, or oil spray for baking/air-frying

Optional Dipping Sauces

• Marinara
• Ranch
• Salsa
• Chipotle mayo

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Instructions

1. Crush the Doritos: Process the Doritos chips into coarse breadcrumbs using a food processor, or place the chips in a sealed plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin until you achieve a crumbly texture.
2. Prepare the breading station: Set up three bowls: one with flour, one with the beaten egg, and one with the crushed Doritos crumbs to streamline the breading process.
3. Chill the cheese: Place the mozzarella sticks in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes. This helps prevent the cheese from melting too quickly during cooking.
4. Bread the sticks: One by one, coat each chilled cheese stick first in flour, shaking off any excess. Dip it into the beaten egg, then roll it in the Doritos crumbs, pressing gently to help the crumbs adhere. For extra crunch, repeat the egg and crumb coating once more. Lay the coated sticks on a lined baking tray.
5. Freeze again: Freeze the breaded sticks for at least 1 hour before cooking. This step is crucial to prevent the cheese from leaking out during cooking.
6. Cook the sticks: Frying method: Heat vegetable oil to about 350°F (175°C) and fry the sticks for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels. Baking or air frying method: For baking, preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and bake until crisp and golden, watching closely as the Doritos crumbs brown quickly. For air frying, set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook until golden and crunchy. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

• Freezing the cheese sticks before and after breading is essential to prevent the cheese from melting too fast and leaking during cooking.
• You can choose any flavor of Doritos to customize the taste of the crust.
• If baking or air frying, lightly spray the coated sticks with oil to promote even browning and crispness.
• Serve with a variety of dipping sauces such as marinara, ranch, salsa, or chipotle mayo for extra flavor.
• Handle cooked sticks carefully as the cheese inside will be very hot and gooey.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Doritos crust, mozzarella sticks, crispy appetizer, fried cheese sticks, snack, party food