Mozzarella sticks are a dangerous food to eat, not because they are toxic or terribly unhealthy but because you simply cannot have just one; they are far too tasty!
Whether you use them as a side dish or are craving a quick cheesy snack, mozzarella sticks are a great go-to option everyone loves.
But is it possible to microwave mozzarella sticks? And how do microwave mozzarella sticks compare to fried or baked mozzarella sticks?
To microwave mozzarella sticks, pop them onto a suitable plate and then microwave in 30-second burst, flipping them between bursts until they are cooked through and gooey in the centre.
How to Microwave Mozzarella Sticks
Microwaving mozzarella sticks is not exactly a new or exciting way of cooking the cheesy treats. You are usually advised to microwave frozen mozzarella sticks and either bake or fry raw mozzarella sticks.Â
That being said, here is a method for microwaving mozzarella sticks that can achieve similar results as other cooking methods:
- Arrange on a Safe Plate
Using the biggest microwaveable plate you can find, arrange the mozzarella sticks so that they are not touching each other and are not layered on top of each other. - MicrowaveÂ
Set your microwave to the highest heat and microwave your mozzarella sticks in 30-45 second intervals. - Flip
Pause to turn over the mozzarella sticks in between each cooking time. If some are cooking slower than others, the plate you are using is not dispersing the heat properly, so rearrange the mozzarella sticks accordingly. - Repeat Until Done
Continue to reheat the mozzarella stick until cooked. The best way to know if the mozzarella sticks are ready to eat is to split one of the sticks in half and check to see how melted the cheese is. - Serve Immediately
You do not want to be waiting around to eat your mozzarella sticks as they will quickly turn soggy and gross, which is exactly what you have been trying to avoid when cooking. So have your favourite condiments ready to go as soon as that microwave pings.
How to Microwave Mozzarella Sticks Successfully
To make your mozzarella sticks taste even better and to ensure that your time spent waiting by the microwave isn’t wasted, here are a few tips you can keep in mind to help you microwave mozzarella sticks successfully:
- Do Not Cover While Cooking – The last thing you want to do is trap moisture when your mozzarella sticks are cooking in the microwave. If you try to cover up the sticks while they are cooking, then any damp steam they produce will soak back into the batter of the mozzarella sticks and become soggy.Â
- Looks Can Be Deceiving – Just because your mozzarella sticks appear to be perfectly crisp does not mean that they are fully cooked yet. You will need to sacrifice at least 1 mozzarella stick to check that the cheese has melted instead of relying on looks alone to know when the mozzarella sticks are ready to serve.Â
- Save For Later – If you do not want to cook all your mozzarella sticks at once, you can freeze them for up to 3 months and then microwave them later. You will need to microwave frozen mozzarella sticks for a little longer than the method above suggests, but the extra wait will be worth it.
Why You Should Microwave Mozzarella Sticks
Although there are plenty of arguments that can be made against microwaving mozzarella sticks, there are some benefits that you may find appetizing enough to overlook any potential problems:
It Is Mess Free
Let’s be honest, the last thing you want to do after a busy day or when you are in the middle of a tough assignment is clean up after a quick snack.
When you microwave mozzarella sticks, all you need is a safe microwavable plate; that’s it! You will have to deal with very little mess, and it is a much cleaner method than boiling a whole pan of oil.Â
The Easiest Cooking Method
Not everyone is confident with frying their food, and for good reason! Hot oil can be a dangerous and scary tool. But everyone knows how to use a microwave.Â
The method above could not be easier to follow when it comes to microwaving mozzarella sticks, even for the most disaster-prone chefs.Â
Why You Shouldn’t Microwave Mozzarella Sticks
Like any food not typically cooked in a microwave, there are some downsides to using a microwave for cooking your mozzarella sticks. Such as:
Unclear When They are Cooked
When you deep fry or even bake mozzarella sticks, it is usually easy to tell that they are ready to eat as they will be crispy, crunchy and delicious.
However, because the heat of a microwave is much more intense over a shorter time than most other cooking methods, it can be hard to know when to stop cooking your mozzarella sticks.
You will need to break one open to see if the cheese is fully melted to tell instead, which can be a waste of food.
Will Not Be as Crispy
No matter how hard you try, you will not be able to achieve that unique fried texture of a deep-fried or baked mozzarella stick in the microwave. The closest you can get is a slight crunch before the sticks become too dry.
Microwaving Mozzarella Sticks FAQs
If you still have questions regarding mozzarella sticks and how to microwave them, here are some FAQs that may help:
Yes, mozzarella sticks can be microwaved from frozen. Place them onto a suitable plate and then microwave in short 30-second bursts, flipping the sticks between bursts. Keep microwaving until they are thawed and heated through.
Yes, mozzarella sticks can be put in the air fryer. Preheat the fryer to 200C or 390F, spray the mozzarella sticks with cooking spray and then air fry for for around 7 minutes.
Acacia may be a freelance writer by day, but they are a food fanatic by night. They are always trying out new recipes or finding different ways to elevate classical dishes. But their biggest culinary aim is to educate others on the basics of the kitchen so that they too can enjoy delicious food.
