Description
Crispy fried mozzarella sandwiches dance between golden herby garlic bread, delivering Italian comfort with each delectable bite. Melted cheese and herb-infused bread create a mouthwatering experience that whisks you straight to a charming Mediterranean kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 block (12 ounces or 340 grams) whole milk mozzarella cheese, cut into 8 (1/4) slices
- 8 slices sandwich bread
- 1 jar marinara sauce, warmed
Breading and Coating Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Butter and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 stick (4 ounces or 113 grams) + 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons granulated garlic
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Olive oil, for frying
Instructions
- Craft a zesty garlic spread by blending softened butter with granulated garlic, finely chopped parsley, and a delicate touch of salt. Lavishly coat each bread slice with this aromatic mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
- Layer two generous slices of mozzarella onto half of the prepared bread pieces, creating a creamy foundation. Crown each cheese-laden slice with its matching herbed bread companion.
- Establish a three-stage dredging station: one vessel for flour, another for whisked eggs, and the third housing seasoned panko breadcrumbs. Meticulously coat each sandwich first in flour, creating a delicate base layer, then submerge in beaten eggs, and finally enrobe completely in crispy breadcrumbs.
- Warm two spacious skillets over medium-low heat, introducing a generous pat of butter to each. Gently nestle two sandwiches per pan, allowing them to transform into a golden-brown delicacy. Patiently cook for approximately three minutes on each side.
- Enhance the culinary experience by drizzling a whisper of olive oil over the sandwiches. Partially cover the pans, creating a steamy environment that encourages the mozzarella to melt into a luxurious, gooey interior.
- Carefully transfer the crispy sandwiches to a cutting board, slicing each diagonally to reveal the molten cheese center. Sprinkle with a final pinch of salt and shower with grated parmesan. Present alongside a warm marinara sauce for dipping, inviting a burst of complementary flavors.
Notes
- Prep Bread Strategically by lightly toasting the bread first to prevent sogginess and create a crispy exterior that locks in the melted cheese.
- Choose High-Quality Mozzarella with good melting properties like fresh buffalo mozzarella or low-moisture whole milk mozzarella for the most luxurious cheese pull.
- Control Cooking Temperature carefully to ensure golden-brown exterior without burning, using medium-low heat allows even browning and complete cheese melting.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation by substituting regular flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour and gluten-free panko for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 629
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 37 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 205 mg