Whether you grab string cheese as quick snack or nachos topping, melting string cheese in the microwave is relatively straightforward. If you are cheese connoisseur, the ultimate guide to melt cheese in the microwave is your new cheatsheet.
String cheese is commonly made with mozzarella or a combination of mozzarella and cheddar. It can be eaten as is or by pulling thin strips of cheese in a lengthwise direction.
When heated to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius), string cheese gets stringy. At this temperature, the milk proteins begin to change alignment in a horizontal direction. As a result, the cheese becomes stretchy.
In order to properly melt string cheese in the microwave, pull cheese into thin strips and lay over chips, crackers or soup of your choice. Microwave on high for 1 to 1½ minutes until string cheese is melted.
The intention of string cheese is to serve as a grab-and-go snack that is eaten from the individual package. So, is it safe to heat string cheese?
Can you heat string cheese in the microwave?
If you are looking quick ways to safely melt mozzarella cheese as a topping, you may microwave string cheese. Remove the cheese sticks from the individual packaging and use a microwave-safe container to heat up thin slices instead of whole pieces.
Do not heat up the individual plastic packaging in the microwave. The plastic can melt and the chemical components can leach into the cheese making it unsafe to eat anymore.
At what temperature does string cheese melt?
Because string cheese is either mozzarella or blend with cheddar, consider the melting point to be relative.
In general, string cheese will start melting at 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) when sliced thinly. String cheese is a semi-soft, high moisture cheese, therefore you need to increase the surface area by cutting into thin slices.
Be aware that mozzarella string cheese won’t turn into a creamy sauce compared to other kinds of cheese. It may become softer, but it will keep its shape when heated.
Why does string cheese not melt?
String cheese is great midday or post workout snack, however it is not the best ingredient for cooking.
String cheese is a low-moisture and low-fat cheese, therefore melting in the microwave may not be the best application.
When sliced thin, you can melt on top of dishes like pizza or tortilla chips for nachos. However, the string cheese will only soften and still maintain its shape without liquifying into a cheesy sauce.
Things to know before melting string cheese in the microwave
Not every type of string cheese melts the same. String cheese are not made to cook or melt, but in case you need to, here are things to know before melting string cheese in the microwave:
- Avoid adding milk or any other substitute to make cheese sauce with string cheese, you may encounter lumps that cannot be resolved.
- Always slice thin to melt quickly.
- Do not microwave the individually wrapped plastic.
- Use microwave-safe plate or bowl to melt string cheese.
- If you heat the whole string cheese stick as it is, rotate each side to distribute the temperature evenly.
For best results, slice thin, place onto a microwave safe bowl, use medium heat and nuke for 15 second increments. Stir if necessary and microwave for another interval to achieve the desired consistency you are looking for.
Whether you are enjoying nacho or breaded mozzarella sticks, bring the string cheese to room temperature before nuking in the microwave. In the end, string cheese is a low-moisture and low-fat cheese that does not melt in the microwave very well.
