Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Baked Mozzarella Sticks

Baked Mozzarella Sticks 3-21-13

I made these last week on a night Kevin had to work late.  The boys LOVED them.  I only made 16 of them and they were upset when they were all gone.  They were easy to make and so much better than the over-battered fried ones, in my humble opinion. ;) 

I’ve learned a few things since making them.  I made them for dinner again last night.  This time I used a different brand of mozzarella sticks than I’d used the first time and just for fun, I didn’t cut them in half.  In my recipe, I’ll recommend a certain brand of cheese, but you are welcome to try whichever you like.  And now I’ll make sure to cut them in half as well, not sure if that helped cause the melting, but there was also a difference in the thickness/roundness of the two brands of cheese and I actually baked a few of each last night and the ones I’d used the first time didn’t melt like the other brand. 

Anyway, these were great and perfect for pleasing kids.  I used a simple store-bought pizza sauce (gasp!) this time, because I just happened to have some on hand.  Any marinara sauce would be great for dipping these in.

These are made by dipping each stick in flour, then egg, then seasoned breadcrumbs with Panko crumbs and a couple other things added.   They are then baked for a short time and ready to eat!

Skinny Baked Mozzarella Sticks 3 I found the recipe for these at Skinny Taste and have adapted it slightly. That recipe notes that it makes 24 sticks, but I barely had enough egg for 16.  You can use another egg and easily get 24 with the remaining flour and breadcrumb mixture.

Baked Mozzarella Sticks, by Katrina, Baking and Boys!, adapted from Skinny Taste

8 sticks Frigo Cheeseheads part-skim mozzarella string cheese sticks, cut in half, frozen  (recommended, but other brands may work)

1 large egg, beaten

1/4 cup all purpose flour

5 tablespoons Italian seasoned breadcrumbs

5 tablespoons Panko crumbs

1 tablespoon parmesan cheese, finely grated

1 tablespoons dried parsley

Cooking Spray (I used an olive oil spray)

Marinara Sauce, for dipping

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.  Keep cheese sticks (already cut in half and frozen) in the freezer until ready to use.

Prepare three separate dishes, one with the flour, one with the egg and one with the breadcrumbs, Panko, parmesan cheese and parsley.  Remove the cheese sticks from the freezer and working quickly dip each stick first in the flour, then the egg and finally the breadcrumb mixture.  Set them on the foil-lined baking sheet.  If your oven isn’t preheated yet, stick the sheet of prepared sticks in the freezer.  (They need to stay frozen right up until they go in the oven!)

Spray the tops of the prepared mozzarella sticks with cooking spray and bake 4-5 minutes.  Turn each over and bake another 4-5 minutes.  Start with 4 minutes, checking to make sure they don’t melt.  Makes 16.

3-21-13

Simple and delicious!

 

12 comments:

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

Yum! I really want to make these!

Anonymous said...

Looks yummy

Plain Chicken said...

I love fried cheese, but hate to fry at home. I can't wait to try this version.

Cindy said...

Keep the recipes coming Katrina and i will have a complete menu for the grandkids!
I know they will love these. Thanks

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Oh, boy, my boys would go nuts for these! I'll have to make them when they're both home. I have a feeling I'd eat my share, too :)

PS...I'm thinking I saw your name on the FBF list! Hope we'll get to meet in May!!!!

Amy said...

I love Baked Mozzarella Sticks...and my kids love them just as much. I don't like deep frying at home so these baked version sounds wonderful.

Unknown said...

These look delicious Katrina! I'd be upset when they were all gone too :) Love that they're baked and you cut them in half the second time. Great for anytime.

I'm At Home Baking said...

These look amazing & I want some!

Nutmeg Nanny said...

Oh these look awesome! I'm sure my husband would be so happy if I whipped these up :)

Kristin @Dizzy Busy and Hungry said...

My boys are going to love these. I can't wait to try them! So much healthier than the fried kind!

megan said...

My kids love those too.....in fact, I don't think they've ever had the kind from the store...

Having said that, though, it's about high time I make them again!

Phô mai que said...

They look so yummy. I would try to make these cheese sticks. Thanks a lot!