Description
Crispy Loaded Potato and Cheese Sticks deliver comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen, packed with rich flavors and creamy potato goodness. Cheese pulls and golden-brown edges invite hungry diners to savor this irresistible snack that promises pure satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 russet potatoes, cooked and cubed
- 1 block cheddar cheese, cut into ¼-inch strips
- ¼ cup bacon, diced
Flavor Enhancers:
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup green onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Coating Ingredients:
- Flour
- Egg
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Oil, for frying
- Salt, to season
Instructions
- Craft a creamy potato base by blending warm mashed potatoes with tangy sour cream, crispy bacon bits, freshly chopped green onions, and a seasoning of salt and pepper.
- Maintain a rustic texture by partially mashing the mixture, leaving some delightful potato chunks for added complexity.
- Slice premium cheddar cheese into precise strips, approximately quarter-inch thick, ready for incorporation.
- Scoop generous portions of the potato mixture and shape into compact, uniform spheres.
- Carefully nestle a cheese strip into the center of each potato sphere, meticulously enveloping the cheese completely to prevent leakage during cooking.
- Create a triple-layer coating by first rolling each potato sphere in fine flour, then dipping into whisked eggs, and finally encrusting with crisp panko breadcrumbs for maximum crunch.
- Heat the oven to a precise 400°F, preparing for initial baking.
- Arrange the breaded potato sticks on a lined baking sheet, drizzling with a light touch of olive oil and sprinkling with a pinch of sea salt.
- Bake until the exterior achieves a golden, appetizing hue and the internal cheese begins to melt enticingly.
- Simultaneously prepare a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pan, heating oil to 350°F for secondary crisping.
- Submerge the potato sticks in hot oil, frying until they transform into a rich, amber-brown color with a perfectly crisp exterior.
- Extract the sticks and place on a wire rack, allowing excess oil to drain while seasoning with an additional light salt sprinkle.
- Permit a brief cooling period to prevent potential mouth burns, allowing the molten cheese interior to stabilize.
- Present immediately, serving as an irresistible appetizer or snack that promises a harmonious blend of crispy exterior and creamy interior.
Notes
- Customize potato texture by leaving chunks for rustic, homemade feel and added bite.
- Ensure cheese is fully enclosed within potato mixture to prevent melting and leaking during cooking.
- Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and better binding of potato mixture.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like smoked gouda or pepper jack for unique flavor profiles.
- Prep sticks ahead of time and freeze unbaked for convenient make-ahead appetizer or
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg