Description
These crispy potato cheese sticks are the ultimate comfort snack, featuring creamy mashed potato dough wrapped around gooey cheddar cheese, all coated in a golden, crunchy crust. Perfect for quick appetizers, party platters, or cozy nights in, this recipe is beginner-friendly and easily customizable for baking, frying, or air frying.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 russet potatoes, cooked and cubed
- ¼ cup diced bacon
- ¼ cup diced green onions
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 block cheddar cheese, cut into ¼-inch thick strips
- ⅔ cup cornstarch
- 100 g panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 liter vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Make the Potato Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, mash the cooked russet potatoes with the diced bacon, green onions, sour cream, salt, and pepper. Aim for a mostly smooth consistency with a few small chunks for texture.
- Shape the Cheese Sticks: Flatten a scoop of the potato mixture in your palm, place a strip of cheddar cheese in the center, and gently shape the mixture around the cheese to fully encase it. Repeat with the remaining mixture and cheese.
- Set Up the Coating Station: Prepare three shallow bowls—one with flour, one with the beaten egg, and one with a mixture of cornstarch and panko breadcrumbs.
- Coat the Cheese Sticks: Roll each formed stick first in flour, then dip in the egg, and finally coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks well.
- Fry the Sticks: Heat oil in a deep pot to 350°F. Carefully lower the coated sticks into the hot oil and fry for about 3 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Bake Option: To bake, preheat the oven to 400°F. Arrange the sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and bake for 15–20 minutes or until the outside is golden and the cheese has melted inside.
- Cool and Serve: Let the sticks cool for a few minutes before serving to avoid burns from the hot cheese inside. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- For an extra crispy crust, double-coat the sticks by repeating the egg and breadcrumb steps. Refrigerating the shaped sticks before frying or baking helps maintain their shape. Try using mashed sweet potatoes for a slightly sweet twist or mozzarella cheese for a stretchier center. These sticks also work great in the air fryer—just spray with oil and cook at 375°F for about 10–12 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying or Baking
- Cuisine: American-inspired with European flair
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stick
- Calories: 65
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 10mg