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Description
Make crispy, gooey vegan mozzarella sticks at home using simple ingredients. Perfect for appetizers, snacks, or parties.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked for at least 4 hours or overnight
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons tapioca starch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup water (or more, as needed)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend)
- 1 cup unsweetened plant-based milk
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Vegetable oil, for frying (or cooking spray for air frying)
Instructions
- Drain and rinse soaked cashews. Combine cashews, nutritional yeast, tapioca starch, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and 1/4 cup water in a high-speed blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy, adding a tablespoon of water at a time if needed to reach a thick, cheese-like consistency.
- Transfer the cashew cheese mixture to a small saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens significantly and becomes very stretchy and gooey, about 5-7 minutes.
- Pour the thickened cheese mixture into a small, parchment-lined container or mold. Smooth the top and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours, or until firm enough to cut.
- Once firm, cut the cheese into stick shapes, about 1/2 inch thick and 3-4 inches long.
- Set up three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with plant-based milk, and one with panko breadcrumbs mixed with paprika.
- Dip each cheese stick first into the flour, shaking off excess. Then dip into the plant-based milk, letting excess drip off. Finally, coat thoroughly with the panko breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Place coated sticks on a plate.
- For frying: Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully fry the mozzarella sticks in batches for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- For air frying: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket and the coated mozzarella sticks with cooking spray. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve immediately with your favorite marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the cashew cheese is very firm before cutting.
- You can make the cashew cheese mixture a day in advance.
- Adjust seasonings to your preference.
- If you don’t have tapioca starch, arrowroot starch can be used as a substitute.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying or Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 sticks
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 0mg