Ingredients

• One 6-pack pepper jack snack sticks
• 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups crushed pretzels
• Salsa, for serving, optional

Instructions

1. Freeze the cheese sticks for at least 30 minutes.
2. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a deep, heavy pot.
3. Set up a breading station with the flour and a pinch of salt and pepper in one pie pan; the beaten eggs in a second; and the pretzel crumbs in a third.
4. Dip each cheese stick in the flour, then in the egg wash, and then in the pretzels.
5. Carefully add the breaded cheese sticks to the hot oil and fry until dark golden brown all over, about 1 minute per side. Drain on a paper-towel-lined plate and immediately sprinkle with salt. Serve with salsa.