Description
Crispy Veggie Potato Sticks with Cheese Sauce are a delightful and crunchy homemade snack combining grated potatoes, zucchini, and carrots, fried to golden perfection and served with a creamy, flavorful cheddar cheese dipping sauce. Perfect as an appetizer or party snack, this recipe brings a satisfying blend of textures and tastes with a vegetarian-friendly profile.
Ingredients
Scale
Veggie Potato Sticks
- 4 large russet potatoes, peeled
- 1 medium zucchini, grated
- 1 medium carrot, grated
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon mustard powder
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Veggie Sticks: Grate the potatoes and place them in a clean kitchen towel. Squeeze out as much moisture as possible to ensure crispiness. Transfer the grated potatoes to a mixing bowl and combine with grated zucchini, grated carrot, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated, then shape the mixture into thin sticks or logs.
- Fry the Sticks: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry the prepared veggie sticks in batches, cooking each batch for 3 to 4 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain the fried sticks on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the Cheese Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to create a roux. Gradually add the milk while continuously whisking to prevent lumps. Stir until the sauce thickens smoothly. Remove the pan from heat and add shredded cheddar cheese, mustard powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper if using. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy. Season to taste.
- Serve: Plate the crispy veggie potato sticks hot and serve immediately with the warm cheese sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- For a healthier alternative, bake the potato sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet sprayed with cooking oil at 425°F (220°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking.
- The cheese sauce can be prepared ahead of time and gently reheated on low heat before serving.
- Make sure to squeeze out as much moisture as possible from the potatoes to maximize the crispiness of the sticks.
- Adjust seasoning in the cheese sauce to suit your taste preference, especially if you prefer less heat, omit the cayenne pepper.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Frying, Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion with sauce
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
