Smažený Sýr (Czech Fried Cheese with Tartar Sauce)
Local name: Smažený sýr
In short: Thick slices of mild Edam-style cheese coated in flour, egg and breadcrumbs and fried until crisp, served with tartar sauce and potatoes. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 890 kcal
Smažený sýr is breaded and fried cheese, one of the most popular Czech meals, sold at pubs, cafeterias and street stands. A thick slice of firm, mild cheese is coated in flour, egg and breadcrumbs, then fried quickly so the crust turns golden and the center turns molten but not runny. It comes with tartar sauce and boiled or fried potatoes, or tucked into a soft bun.
Instructions
- Pat the cheese slices dry. Season the flour with the salt and set out three shallow dishes: flour, beaten eggs and breadcrumbs.
- Coat each slice in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs, pressing so the crumbs stick. For a thicker shell, dip again in egg and crumbs.
- Freeze the coated slices on a tray for 30 minutes, or chill for 1 hour, so the cheese does not melt out in the oil.
- Mix all the tartar sauce ingredients in a bowl and taste for seasoning.
- Heat about 2 cm (3/4 in) of oil in a wide pan to 180°C (350°F).
- Fry the slices for about 2 minutes per side until deep golden. Do not leave them longer or the cheese will leak.
- Drain on paper towels and serve at once with tartar sauce, lemon wedges and potatoes.
Tips
- Chill the coated cheese well. Very cold cheese holds its shape in hot oil, so the crust sets before the center melts.
- Use a firm cheese that melts without running, such as Edam, Gouda or a Czech Trappist-style cheese. Fry only just before serving, because the crust softens quickly.
Questions and answers
Can I bake smažený sýr instead of frying?
You can bake coated, frozen slices on an oiled tray at 220°C (425°F) for about 15 minutes, turning once. The crust is less crisp than when fried.
Why does the cheese leak out while frying?
The coating had gaps or the cheese was not cold enough. Double-coat the slices and freeze them before frying.
What is smažák?
Smažák is fried cheese tucked into a soft bun with tartar sauce, a common Czech street food.
How long does it take to make Smažený Sýr (Czech Fried Cheese with Tartar Sauce)?
About 40 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Smažený Sýr (Czech Fried Cheese with Tartar Sauce)?
About 890 kcal per serving, with 41 g of protein, 31 g of carbohydrates and 67 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 890 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 41 g |
| Carbohydrates | 31 g |
| Fat | 67 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 1300 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
