Crab Rangoon Mozzarella Sticks

These party-ready appetizers are a mashup of gooey breaded mozzarella sticks and deep-fried crispy crab rangoons.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 35 mins
• Calories: 401 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups vegetable oil for frying, or as needed
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• 1 (8 ounce) package imitation crabmeat, chopped
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.25 cup sliced green onions
• 1.75 cups panko bread crumbs

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C).

Step 2

Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper so the paper hangs over the sides of the pan.

Step 3

Stir together cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, crabmeat, green onions, powdered sugar, salt, and garlic powder in a bowl until combined. Transfer to the prepared pan, spreading to an even layer. Freeze for 30 minutes.

Step 4

Lift cream cheese mixture from the pan using the parchment paper. Cut the frozen block in half, then cut each half crosswise into 8 sticks (you will have sixteen 4x1-inch sticks.)

Step 5

Put flour in a shallow dish. Beat eggs and water together in a second shallow dish. Put panko in a third shallow dish.

Step 6

Dredge each cream cheese stick in flour; shake off excess. Dip into egg mixture, then lift up so excess egg drips back into the bowl. Press into panko to coat both sides. Place the breaded sticks on a baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes.

Step 7

Fry 3 or 4 sticks at a time until golden brown, about 1 minute. (Keep uncooked sticks in freezer until ready to fry.)

Step 8

Drain fried sticks on paper towels, then transfer to a baking sheet and keep warm in the preheated oven. Repeat to fry remaining sticks.

Step 9

Add 1 ½ inches of oil to a medium saucepan. Heat oil to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).