If you love gooey, crispy, cheesy treats that feel like a warm hug, then you’re going to absolutely adore this Mozzarella en Carrozza Recipe. It’s one of those gems I stumbled upon that instantly became a family favorite — lightly battered, golden-fried bread sandwiches loaded with melty mozzarella. Seriously, every bite is pure comfort and indulgence that’s surprisingly easy to pull off at home. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through this delicious Italian classic so you can impress your friends (or just treat yourself) with zero stress.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Melty, Gooey Goodness: The mozzarella inside gets perfectly melted while the outside crisps up beautifully.
- Simple Ingredients: You only need a few pantry staples to make this showstopper appetizer.
- Impress without Stress: It looks fancy but comes together quickly and easily.
- Versatile Serving: Great for snacks, appetizers, or even a cozy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this Mozzarella en Carrozza Recipe, I make sure to use fresh mozzarella that’s nicely sliced—not too thin, about a quarter-inch thick for that perfect melt. The bread’s crusts get trimmed off for a soft crustless texture, and the egg batter is seasoned just right to give a subtle savory boost.
- White bread: I find using fresh, sturdy white bread gives the best texture without falling apart during frying.
- Mozzarella cheese: Fresh mozzarella in a block works best to get those thick, oozy slices.
- Whole milk: Adds creaminess to the egg batter and helps it coat evenly.
- Eggs: Beaten together to create the silky batter that soaks into the bread.
- Parsley: Fresh and minced, it adds a pop of color and a hint of brightness.
- Olive oil: For frying, I like using good quality extra virgin olive oil — it lends great flavor and crispness.
- Flour: Helps the egg batter stick better by giving the bread a dry, powdery surface.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning the egg mixture perfectly.
- Pecorino Romano: Adds a salty, umami punch that’s the secret to extra depth.
Variations
Mozzarella en Carrozza adapts beautifully depending on what you like or what’s in your pantry. I often switch things up to keep it fresh and suit different occasions.
- Adding anchovies: I tried serving it with a tangy anchovy sauce once, and wow—it added a salty kick that earned rave reviews.
- Using whole wheat or sourdough bread: For a heartier twist, whole wheat or sourdough gives extra texture and flavor complexity.
- Gluten-free version: Simply swap regular bread for your favorite gluten-free variety and use gluten-free flour to dredge.
- Herb variations: Parsley works great, but I love mixing in fresh basil or oregano for a more aromatic punch.
How to Make Mozzarella en Carrozza Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Mozzarella Triangles
Start by slicing your mozzarella block into pretty thick slices—about a quarter inch thick. Then, cut your crustless white bread into slices that will comfortably sandwich the cheese. Lay enough mozzarella to cover one slice of bread, sandwich it with another slice, and cut into triangles diagonally. I like to make 8 triangles so it’s easy to handle and makes great snack-sized portions.
Step 2: Whisk Your Egg Mixture
In a bowl, beat together the eggs, whole milk, kosher salt, black pepper, grated Pecorino Romano, and fresh minced parsley. Whisk until smooth and well combined. This flavorful batter is what gives the bread that golden, crispy coating packed with savory notes.
Step 3: Dredge & Soak
Heat olive oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-low heat. Now, dredge each mozzarella sandwich triangle in flour, shaking off excess, then dip both sides into the egg batter, letting it soak for about 20 seconds per side. This helps the batter stick and creates that wonderful crust when fried.
Step 4: Fry Until Golden & Melty
Place the soaked triangles in the hot oil and fry until golden brown on each side, about 2 minutes per side. Don’t overcrowd the pan—work in batches so each piece fries evenly and crisps up nicely. I usually keep finished sandwiches warm in a 170°F oven on a wire rack to keep that crunch intact while cooking the rest.
Pro Tips for Making Mozzarella en Carrozza Recipe
- Don’t Skip Removing Crusts: Leaving crusts on can cause uneven frying and makes the sandwich tougher to handle.
- Use Medium-Low Heat: Frying too hot browns the crust quickly but melts the inside unevenly, so be patient for perfect melty centers.
- Keep Warm on a Rack: Placing fried pieces on a wire rack instead of paper towels preserves the crispiness longer.
- Beat Eggs Just Before Soaking: Re-beating the egg batter before each batch ensures a nice coating without clumps.
How to Serve Mozzarella en Carrozza Recipe
Garnishes
I like serving Mozzarella en Carrozza with lemon wedges squeezed right before eating to add a fresh, zesty balance to the richness. Sometimes, a dollop of anchovy sauce or a side of marinara brings in that salty tang or tomato sweetness which just elevates the whole experience.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides are light and fresh to play against the richness: a simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette or some roasted cherry tomatoes. If you’re in the mood to go all out, pairing with a bowl of minestrone or a chilled glass of crisp white wine works wonders too.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve had fun arranging the mozzarella triangles in a star shape on a platter for casual gatherings—people love grabbing the individual bites. For a party, you can drizzle balsamic glaze over the top and garnish with fresh basil leaves for a fancy twist that still feels homey.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’ve got leftovers (which honestly might be rare here), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’re best eaten within a day since the bread starts to lose its crispness quickly.
Freezing
I’ve tried freezing these before frying—freezing the assembled sandwiches on a baking sheet, then transferring to a bag—but they’re best fresh. If you must freeze, fry them from frozen and increase the cooking time slightly for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, I recommend popping them in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes on a wire rack so they stay crispy rather than soggy. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that perfect fried crust intact.
FAQs
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Can I use shredded mozzarella instead of sliced?
Shredded mozzarella tends to melt and leak out too much during frying, making the sandwich soggy and messy. Using sliced mozzarella is the way to go—it holds its shape and melts evenly inside the bread.
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What’s the best bread to use for Mozzarella en Carrozza Recipe?
Fresh, soft white bread with a tight crumb works best. It should be sturdy enough to hold the mozzarella and batter but soft enough to get golden crispy when fried. Avoid dense artisan breads or ones with thick crusts.
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How do I avoid the cheese leaking out during frying?
Make sure your mozzarella slices are thick enough and completely covered by the bread. Also, perfectly sealing the edges by pressing the sandwich slightly before dredging helps keep everything inside during cooking.
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Can I bake this instead of frying?
You could try baking for a lighter version, but you won’t get that same golden, crispy crust that frying delivers. If you do bake, brush the sandwiches with olive oil and bake at a high temperature on a wire rack for best results.
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What dipping sauces pair well with Mozzarella en Carrozza?
Classic marinara sauce is always a winner. For a salty kick, try an anchovy sauce or even a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar. Fresh lemon wedges add a bright contrast to the richness too.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Mozzarella en Carrozza Recipe turns out every time—crispy, golden, and with that irresistible ooze of warm mozzarella inside. When I first tried it, I was hooked instantly, and now it’s a staple whenever I want to impress or simply indulge in something comforting without fuss. You’re going to find it’s easier than it looks, and once you get the rhythm of the frying, it almost feels like a little kitchen celebration. Trust me, your friends and family will be begging you to make it again!
PrintMozzarella en Carrozza Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Mozzarella en Carrozza is a classic Italian appetizer featuring slices of creamy mozzarella cheese sandwiched between soft white bread, then dipped in a seasoned egg batter and fried to a golden, crispy perfection. This dish offers a delightful contrast of textures with a crispy exterior and a warm, melty center, perfect for serving as a savory starter or snack alongside lemon wedges, anchovy sauce, or marinara.
Ingredients
Bread and Cheese
- 8 slices white bread, crust removed
- 1 pound block mozzarella, sliced 1/4″ thick
Batter
- 5 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup parsley, minced
For Frying
- 1/4 cup olive oil (plus additional 2 tablespoons for initial heating)
- 1/4 cup flour
Instructions
- Prepare the egg batter: In a bowl, beat together the eggs, whole milk, kosher salt, black pepper, grated Pecorino Romano, and minced parsley until well combined and set aside.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Lay down two slices or enough mozzarella to cover one slice of bread, then top with another slice of bread. Cut each sandwich diagonally into two triangles, repeating until you have 8 triangles total.
- Heat the pan: Warm a large nonstick skillet over medium to medium-low heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to coat the pan.
- Flour the triangles: Dredge each mozzarella sandwich triangle in flour on all sides, shaking off any excess flour before proceeding.
- Soak in egg batter: Re-beat the egg mixture briefly, then soak each floured triangle in the egg batter for about 20 seconds per side, ensuring thorough coating.
- Fry the sandwiches: Place the egg-battered triangles in the hot skillet and fry until golden brown on the bottom, approximately 2 minutes per side. Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding, adding more olive oil as needed between batches.
- Drain and keep warm: Transfer the fried sandwiches to a wire rack or paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain excess oil. Keep finished sandwiches warm in a 170°F oven until ready to serve.
- Serve: Serve warm with lemon wedges, anchovy sauce, or marinara sauce on the side as accompaniments.
Notes
- Mozzarella en Carrozza is a beloved Italian appetizer that combines crispy fried bread with a molten mozzarella center for a satisfying texture contrast.
- Removing the crust from the bread ensures a softer, more uniform texture after frying.
- Maintaining appropriate oil temperature during frying prevents the sandwiches from absorbing too much oil and keeps them crispy.
- Using a wire rack for draining helps maintain crispiness by allowing oil to drip away instead of pooling.
- Served best fresh and warm for the ideal ooey-gooey cheese experience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 611 kcal
- Sugar: 2.7 g
- Sodium: 1298 mg
- Fat: 46.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 20.1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12.8 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 36.9 g
- Cholesterol: 302 mg