BJ's Classic Combo from BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse features crispy mozzarella sticks, golden onion rings, and tender chicken wings served with zesty dipping sauces, offering a delicious variety of savory flavors and crunchy textures.
Equipments
- Deep fryer
- Fry baskets
- Tongs
- Baking sheet or tray
- Mixing bowls
- Paper towels
- Sauce cups or ramekins
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) mozzarella cheese sticks
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 1 lb (450g) chicken wings
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (for wings)
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large sweet onions
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (for onion rings)
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt (for onion rings)
- 1 cup cold club soda
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
When preparing BJ's Classic Combo, ensure the mozzarella sticks are well-coated with Italian-style breadcrumbs to achieve a crispy texture after frying. The chicken wings benefit from a buttermilk soak to tenderize the meat before seasoning with paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder for bold flavor. For the onion rings, using a batter made of flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and cold club soda creates a light, airy crunch. Vegetable oil should be heated to the correct temperature to avoid greasy or undercooked results. You can easily replicate BJ's Classic Combo from BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse at home with this copycat recipe, capturing its signature savory and crunchy appeal.
Instructions
- Instructions Needed:
- Preheat deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare dredging stations:
- For mozzarella sticks: Place flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in second bowl, and Italian breadcrumbs in third bowl.
- Coat mozzarella sticks:
- Roll each stick in flour, dip in egg, then coat in breadcrumbs. Repeat egg and breadcrumb steps for extra crunch. Place on baking sheet.
- Freeze coated mozzarella sticks for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare chicken wings:
- In a bowl, combine 1 cup flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- In another bowl, pour buttermilk.
- Dip wings into buttermilk, then dredge in seasoned flour.
- Place coated wings on a tray.
- Prepare onion rings:
- Slice onions into thick rings; separate.
- In a bowl, combine 1 cup flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt.
- Gradually whisk in cold club soda to create a smooth batter.
- Fry mozzarella sticks:
- Fry in batches for 2–3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove with tongs and drain on paper towels.
- Fry chicken wings:
- Fry in batches for 8–10 minutes or until cooked through and crispy. Remove with tongs and drain on paper towels.
- Fry onion rings:
- Dip rings in batter, fry in batches for 2–3 minutes until golden. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Arrange mozzarella sticks, wings, and onion rings on a platter.
- Fill ramekins with marinara, ranch dressing, and barbecue sauce.
- Serve platter hot with dipping sauces.
Substitution
When recreating BJ's Classic Combo from BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse at home, you can substitute buttermilk with a mixture of milk and lemon juice or vinegar to tenderize the chicken wings effectively. If Italian-style breadcrumbs are unavailable, plain breadcrumbs with added dried oregano, basil, and Parmesan cheese offer a comparable coating for the mozzarella sticks. For a healthier option, consider baking the wings and onion rings on a baking sheet instead of deep frying, but expect a slightly different texture. Use paper towels to drain excess oil after frying to maintain crispiness and prevent sogginess. Your choice of dipping sauces, like swapping marinara for a spicy arrabbiata sauce, can customize flavor profiles to suit your taste.
Tips
Make sure to freeze the coated mozzarella sticks for at least 30 minutes; this step prevents the cheese from melting too quickly and ensures a crispy crust. When frying, maintain the oil temperature at a steady 350degF (175degC) to achieve even cooking and avoid greasy texture. Use paper towels to drain excess oil from the fried items to keep them crisp and prevent sogginess. Your platter will be more enjoyable if you serve the fried mozzarella sticks, chicken wings, and onion rings hot alongside the marinara, ranch, and barbecue sauces.
Nutritions
BJ's Classic Combo provides a rich source of protein from the chicken wings and mozzarella sticks, essential for muscle repair and satiety. The combo is also high in calories and fat due to deep-frying and cheese content, so mindful portion control is important for your dietary balance. Carbohydrates from onion rings and breadcrumbs contribute energy, while the dipping sauces add extra flavor and sodium. Enjoying this platter occasionally as part of a balanced diet allows you to indulge in diverse textures and savory flavors without compromising nutrition goals.
Storage
Store any leftover BJ's Classic Combo components in airtight containers to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess. Separate the mozzarella sticks, chicken wings, and onion rings to preserve their distinct textures, and refrigerate promptly within two hours after cooking. When reheating, use an oven or air fryer to restore their crispiness without compromising flavor for your next delicious serving.
Variation or Alternatives
For a flavorful twist on BJ's Classic Combo, substitute buffalo sauce for barbecue sauce to give your chicken wings a spicy kick. Try using panko breadcrumbs instead of Italian-style breadcrumbs to achieve an extra crispy texture on the mozzarella sticks. You can also swap out cold club soda in the onion ring batter with sparkling water flavored with a splash of lemon for a subtle citrus aroma. If you prefer baking, you can bake the mozzarella sticks and onion rings at 400degF (200degC) for 10-12 minutes instead of frying to reduce oil usage while maintaining crunch.
Allergies
BJ's Classic Combo contains common allergens such as dairy from mozzarella cheese and buttermilk, wheat from all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs, and eggs used in the batter. Cross-contamination with gluten and other allergens is possible due to shared frying oil and prep surfaces. You should exercise caution if you have allergies to dairy, eggs, wheat, or corn ingredients like cornstarch.
Why this recipe?
BJ's Classic Combo menu from BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse offers a satisfying variety of flavors and textures, combining favorites like crispy wings, mozzarella sticks, and fresh salads. The well-balanced portions and rich, savory sauces create a memorable dining experience that appeals to a wide range of tastes. Recreating this combo at home lets you customize ingredients to match Your preferences while enjoying the authentic BJ's taste. Trying the copycat recipe saves time and money without compromising the quality found in the restaurant's popular offering.