Blackstone Fried Mozzarella with Homemade Marinara Recipe
Introduction
Blackstone Fried Mozzarella is a crispy, golden appetizer perfect for any occasion. With a crunchy panko coating and gooey melted cheese inside, it’s an irresistible treat served alongside a rich homemade marinara sauce.
Ingredients
- 8 slices fresh mozzarella
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 cups panko
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Mix together the flour and garlic powder in one dish.
- Step 2: In another dish, whip together the egg and milk.
- Step 3: In a third dish, place the panko breadcrumbs.
- Step 4: Bread each mozzarella slice by dipping first in the flour mixture, then the egg wash, and finally coat thoroughly with the panko breadcrumbs.
- Step 5: Place the breaded mozzarella slices on a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet, then put them into the freezer to chill.
- Step 6: While the cheese chills, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 7: Add the tomato puree to the saucepan and bring to a simmer.
- Step 8: Stir in salt, onion powder, pepper, and red pepper flakes, then let the marinara sauce simmer gently on low heat while you cook the mozzarella.
- Step 9: Preheat your Blackstone griddle to medium heat.
- Step 10: Generously coat the griddle surface with olive oil, but avoid adding so much that it runs off into the grease trap.
- Step 11: Remove the mozzarella slices from the freezer and place them carefully onto the oiled griddle. Brown each side until golden, adding a little more oil before flipping if needed.
- Step 12: Remove the fried mozzarella promptly from the griddle and serve hot with the marinara sauce.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crunch, double coat the mozzarella by repeating the egg and panko step.
- If you don’t have a Blackstone griddle, a heavy skillet or deep fryer works well too.
- Add fresh basil or oregano to the marinara for an herby twist.
- Use other cheeses like provolone or fontina for different flavors.
Storage
Store leftover fried mozzarella in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to regain crispiness. The marinara sauce can be refrigerated separately for up to 4 days and warmed gently before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare the breaded mozzarella ahead of time?
Yes, bread the mozzarella slices and freeze them on a baking sheet before cooking. This helps the coating stay intact while frying.
Is it necessary to use fresh mozzarella?
Fresh mozzarella melts beautifully and has a creamy texture, making it ideal for frying. However, if unavailable, you can try low-moisture mozzarella but expect a firmer texture.
PrintBlackstone Fried Mozzarella with Homemade Marinara Recipe
This Blackstone Fried Mozzarella recipe features fresh mozzarella slices breaded and pan-fried on a Blackstone griddle until golden and crispy. Served with a flavorful homemade marinara sauce, it makes for a delicious and indulgent appetizer or snack that’s perfect for sharing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Breading
- 8 slices fresh mozzarella
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
Cooking
- 1/2 cup olive oil (for frying)
Marinara Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup tomato puree
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare Breading Stations: Mix the flour and garlic powder together in one shallow dish. In a separate dish, whisk together the beaten egg and milk. In a third dish, place the panko breadcrumbs.
- Bread the Mozzarella: Dip each slice of fresh mozzarella first into the flour mixture, then into the egg wash, and finally coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs. Place the breaded slices on parchment paper-lined baking sheet and freeze until firm to prevent the cheese from melting too quickly during frying.
- Make Marinara Sauce: While the mozzarella chills, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in tomato puree, salt, onion powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer then reduce heat to low and let gently simmer as you prepare the mozzarella.
- Preheat Blackstone Griddle: Set your Blackstone griddle to medium heat and allow it to come to temperature.
- Fry Mozzarella Slices: Drizzle a generous but controlled layer of olive oil (about 1/2 cup in total) onto the griddle surface. Remove the breaded mozzarella slices from the freezer and place them carefully on the hot, oiled griddle. Fry until golden brown on one side, then carefully flip and add more oil as needed. Cook until both sides are crispy and golden, generally 2-3 minutes per side.
- Serve: Quickly remove the fried mozzarella slices from the griddle and serve immediately alongside the simmered marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Freezing the breaded mozzarella helps maintain their shape and prevents the cheese from oozing out while frying.
- Use fresh mozzarella slices, not low-moisture or pre-shredded cheese, for best melting and texture.
- Monitor the griddle temperature closely to avoid burning the breadcrumbs before the cheese heats through.
- The marinara sauce can be made ahead and kept warm for convenience.
- Leftover fried mozzarella is best enjoyed immediately for optimal crispness.
Keywords: Fried mozzarella, Blackstone griddle recipe, breaded mozzarella, homemade marinara, appetizer, Italian snack
