This fried cheese balls recipe combines pre-shredded low-moisture mozzarella, cornstarch, and egg to create a golden exterior with a warm, gooey center. The cheese mixture requires no separate breadcrumb coating, and the entire appetizer is ready in 20 minutes.
Why You'll Love This Fried Cheese Balls Recipe
- No Separate Breading: The cornstarch and egg bind directly with the shredded mozzarella, eliminating the need for separate coating bowls.
- Ready in 20 Minutes: The mixture takes approximately 10 minutes to prepare, while each batch fries in only 2-3 minutes.
- Contrasting Textures: Hot sunflower oil creates a golden exterior while the mozzarella becomes warm and stretchy inside.
- Simple to Serve: These bite-size cheese balls work as an appetizer or snack with your preferred dipping sauce.
When friends come over, I enjoy serving something warm that people can pick up and dip without needing plates and cutlery. These fried cheese balls fit that occasion because I can arrange them around a bowl of sauce and bring them to the table while the centers are still gooey. My homemade mozzarella sticks offer a more familiar breaded version, while easy chicken croquettes give me another warm appetizer when I want something more substantial. The cheese balls are the simplest of the three because the cheese, cornstarch, and egg form the mixture directly.
What I enjoy most is the contrast between the mild mozzarella, lightly seasoned flavor, golden exterior, and stretchy center. Cornstarch and egg bind the shredded cheese into a mixture firm enough to shape, while frying the balls immediately in hot sunflower oil cooks the outside quickly. I pay similar attention to the frying stage when making crispy mashed potato fries, but these cheese balls cook particularly quickly because of their small size. Keeping the oil hot and frying only a few at a time helps the surface cook evenly without leaving the cheese balls sitting in the oil for too long.
Key Ingredients for Fried Cheese Balls
These four components create the cheese mixture and its golden finish.
- Low-Moisture Mozzarella: I use pre-shredded low-moisture mozzarella because it mixes evenly with the cornstarch and becomes stretchy when fried.
- Cornstarch: For me, cornstarch is essential because it combines with the egg to bind the shredded cheese without requiring breadcrumbs.
- Egg: I rely on the egg to bring the cheese and cornstarch together so the mixture can be shaped into compact balls.
- Salt and Sunflower Oil: My small addition of salt seasons the mild mozzarella, while sunflower oil provides the deep-frying medium.
How to Make Fried Cheese Balls
The complete quantities appear in the recipe card below.
1. Combine the Cheese Mixture: Mix the shredded mozzarella, cornstarch, egg, and salt with a spoon, then use your hands to bring the ingredients together evenly.
2. Shape the Cheese Balls: Take small portions of the mixture and roll them firmly between your palms to form compact, bite-size balls.
3. Fry: Heat enough oil in a deep frying pan for deep frying. Once the oil is hot (but not smoking), carefully drop in a few cheese balls at a time and fry until golden, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Drain & Serve: Remove the crispy cheese balls and place them on a plate lined with paper towels. Serve warm while they're still crunchy.
Tips for Fried Cheese Balls
Begin with Cold Cheese: I keep the mozzarella cold until I am ready to mix it because the chilled cheese is easier to shape into compact balls.
Heat the Oil Before Frying: Wait until the sunflower oil is hot but not smoking before adding the first batch. Oil that is not hot enough can leave the exterior greasy.
Drain Them Immediately: Transfer the fried cheese balls directly to paper towels so excess oil does not remain on their surface.
Prepare the Sauce First: I have the dipping sauce ready before frying because the cheese balls have their best texture while the centers are still warm.
Storage
I prefer making only the amount I intend to serve because these fried cheese balls are at their best immediately after frying. The exterior is crispest, and the mozzarella center is stretchiest while they are still warm.
What to Serve with Fried Cheese Balls
I like serving these cheese balls around a small bowl of pepper mayonnaise so everyone can dip them easily. My ranch dressing provides a cooler, creamier alternative to the warm mozzarella.
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Recipe
Fried Cheese Balls
Ingredients
- 300 g pre-shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 large egg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Sunflower oil - as needed for deep-frying
Instructions
- Combine 300 g pre-shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 large egg, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a mixing bowl. Mix with a spoon, then use your hands to bring everything together evenly.
- Take small portions of the cheese mixture and roll them firmly between your palms to form compact, bite-size balls.
- Pour enough sunflower oil into a deep frying pan to completely cover the cheese balls. Heat the oil until hot but not smoking.
- Carefully lower a few cheese balls into the hot oil without overcrowding the pan. Deep-fry for 2-3 minutes, turning when necessary, until evenly golden.
- Remove the fried cheese balls with a slotted spoon and transfer them immediately to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Serve the fried cheese balls warm, either on their own or with your preferred dipping sauce.
Notes
- Use Low-Moisture Mozzarella: I use pre-shredded low-moisture mozzarella because this is the cheese used for this recipe. Fresh mozzarella contains more liquid and may not bind in the same way.
- Shape Them Firmly: I press the mixture together well and keep the balls a similar size so they hold their shape and fry evenly.
- Fry in Small Batches: The sunflower oil should completely cover the balls. I avoid overcrowding the pan because crowded batches can fry unevenly.
- Watch the Color: I remove the cheese balls as soon as they become golden, which keeps the exterior from becoming too dark while the center remains gooey.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
John says
Supper delicious
Susana says
These fried cheese balls look amazing! I love that they’re crispy on the outside and gooey inside, such a perfect snack or party appetizer.