Potato Cheese Sticks Crispy (Print Version)

Crispy potato sticks with cheddar, bacon, and green onion. Melty cheese center wrapped in golden crust.

# Ingredients:

→ Potato Mixture

01 - 3 russet potatoes, cooked and cubed
02 - 1/4 cup green onions, diced
03 - 1/2 cup sour cream
04 - 1 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
06 - 1/4 cup bacon, diced

→ Cheese Center

07 - 1 block cheddar cheese, cut into 1/4-inch thick strips

→ Coating

08 - Flour, as needed for dredging
09 - Egg, beaten, as needed
10 - 2/3 cup cornstarch
11 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

→ Frying

12 - 4 cups vegetable oil or canola oil or peanut oil, for deep frying

→ For Baking (Optional)

13 - Olive oil, for drizzling

# Steps:

01 - Combine cooked russet potatoes, diced bacon, diced green onions, sour cream, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mash using a potato masher or fork until mixture is mostly smooth with some small chunks remaining.
02 - Slice the block of cheddar cheese into strips about 1/4 inch thick.
03 - Take a spoonful of potato mixture, flatten in your palm, place a cheese strip in the center, and mold the potato mixture around to enclose the cheese completely, forming a ball. Repeat until all potato mixture is used.
04 - Set up three bowls: the first with flour, the second with beaten egg, and the third with a mixture of cornstarch and panko breadcrumbs. Roll each potato stick first in flour, then dip in egg, then coat thoroughly in cornstarch-panko mixture.
05 - Pour oil into a deep fryer or large heavy-bottomed pot to a depth of at least 2 inches. Heat oil to 350°F (180°C).
06 - Carefully lower coated potato sticks into hot oil with tongs. Fry in batches for about 3 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
07 - Remove fried potato sticks with a slotted spoon. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. While hot, lightly sprinkle with salt.
08 - To bake instead of fry, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange coated sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden and cheese is melted.
09 - Allow the potato cheese sticks to cool for several minutes before serving, as the filling will be extremely hot.

# Notes:

01 - For extra crunch, double-coat the potato sticks in cornstarch and panko mixture.
02 - Baking yields a lighter texture, while frying gives a crispier crust.

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