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Publix Deli Fried Cheese Curds Review

Written byThe Snarkle Sauce Posted on Updated on
A hand holding a small paper tray filled with fried cheese curds from the Publix Deli.

You deserve some fried cheese curds.

Today is an exciting day, my friends. Because today is the day I’m going to tell you about the Publix Deli Fried Cheese Curds.

No, I don’t work for Publix. In fact, I don’t think Publix likes me very much — I said mean things about their Tiramisu Delight Cake and their Mango Key Lime Pie. No one sponsored this review — this is just me sitting in my kitchen eating cheese curds and typing a silly review with my greasy little fingers. For no reason at all.

A paper tray with ranch flavored fried cheese curds from the Publix Deli.

As we’ve previously established, I would eat virtually anything deep fried, including my own shoelaces. I saw these fried cheese curds in the Publix weekly ad, and I rearranged my plans for the day, simply so I could have them inside my belly, pronto.

I regret nothing.

In fact, I’ve decided I don’t need a man in my life after all. I just need more of these cheese curds. A lot more.

A hand holding a breaded and deep fried cheese curd from the Publix Deli.

I heard through the grapevine that Publix fried cheese curds were best eaten fresh/hot, but unfortunately mine had cooled down nearly to room temperature by the time I made it home with my groceries. Fortunately, they still tasted amazing. The crust is crispy and has satisfying small crunchy bits. The cheese curds are just the right balance of firm and soft. Mine made a wonderful squeaking sound as I chewed them. This is white cheddar, and it has a lovely mild taste. It’s fresh, moist, flavorful, and dense.

A hand holding a bitten fried cheese curd from the Publix Deli, showing the white cheddar inside.

I like that there’s not TONS of the breading, but the thin layer is flavorful. I got “ranch” flavored cheese curds (there weren’t any other flavors available), and there is a pleasant zesty taste, although I might not have immediately guessed “ranch.” The ingredients include buttermilk and vinegar, which probably contributes to the satisfying tanginess in the breading. The surface is flecked with green herb specks, and there’s just the right amount of saltiness.

These are yummy enough that I don’t need any dipping sauce. I will say that there’s a slightly strange aftertaste to the seasoning. It’s not unpleasant enough to truly bother me, but it exists.

A hand with three breaded ranch flavored fried cheese curds from the Publix Deli.

The fried curds are all different sizes, but generally plump and generously sized. The chunky nugget shape is somehow much more satisfying than a mozzarella stick.

I was not at all delighted when I read the ingredients. It starts out OK, but there’s some truly unfortunate stuff at the end. More about that later.

A view inside a brown paper bag with a tray of fried cheese curds from the Publix Deli.

I bought just over a half pound of fried cheese curds, and I could hardly eat half of them on a completely empty stomach. These are filling little nuggets! There’s mostly cheese here. So much cheese. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten this much cheese in one sitting.

I still regret nothing.

Ingredients and price/weight label from a package of Publix Deli fried cheese curds.

Ingredients in Publix Deli Fried Cheese Curds

Here are the ingredients:

  • White Cheddar Cheese Curds (Milk, Salt, Enzymes)
  • Bleached Wheat Flour
  • Water
  • Modified Food Starch
  • Contains 2% of: Yellow Corn Flour, Buttermilk Powder, Buttermilk Blend (Buttermilk, Whey Solids), Spice, Parsley, Green Onion, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Vinegar, Vinegar Solids, Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Dextrose, Maltodextrin, Tapioca, Dextrin, Yeast, Lipolyzed Cream (Butter, Nonfat Milk), Starter Distillate, Monosodium Glutamate, Sugar, Salt, Yellow 5, Yellow 6
  • Fried in Corn & Cottonseed Oil Blend (with TBHQ & Citric Acid added as preservatives & Dimethylpoly Siloxane added as an anti-foaming agent)

At least, I think these are the ingredients — there are some typos and run-ons and difficult to read parts of the Publix ingredients label. Grrr. I did my best.

These are disappointing ingredients, especially the Yellow 5 & 6 dyes, and the MSG, and the cottonseed oil. Ugh. Unfortunately, these are so amazingly delicious, I am tempted to keep buying them anyway. Who knew it was so easy to sell out.

A hand holding a brown paper bag filled with Publix Deli fried cheese curds.

Reheating Instructions for Fried Cheese Curds from Publix Deli

Publix serves these cheese curds hot on a thin cardboard tray, packed inside a paper bag. If you want yours to stay extra crispy, you can crack the bag open, so that the steam isn’t trapped. These can also be toasted up again once you get home, either in a toaster oven, air fryer, or frying pan. Mine sat in my sealed bag for about 30 minutes before I ate them, and they were still pretty good. Not as crispy as they started out, but not soggy either. I refrigerated half of them (because I couldn’t eat them all!) and toasted them up later in my toaster oven. It took about 5 minutes at 400 on parchment paper to get them back to their original crispy splendor.

Price for Publix Deli Fried Cheese Curds

These are sold in the hot case of the Publix Deli for $9.49 per pound. My 0.615 pound tray (which was enough for two people) cost $5.84.

Fingers holding a small nugget of Publix Deli fried cheese curds with ranch seasoning.

The End.

More Reviews of Publix Products You Might Like (or Hate)

Check out these other reviews of Publix items I’ve recently written:

Author’s note: I have no affiliation with Publix, and I was not compensated in any way for this review.

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