Baked Mozzarella Sticks


We're friends, right?

As your friend, I feel like I'm obligated to tell you that you can have buttery, cheesy mozzarella sticks....without frying them.

That means you can have your Super Bowl party snacks, and eat them too. Which is necessary if you're still crying about that last Chiefs loss like I am.


Luckily, we have mozzarella sticks. Thank goodness for that!

Even though we're baking and not frying the mozzarella sticks, it's important to me that the crust is still perfectly golden brown. While panko bread crumbs make the perfect crust, if you have ever baked with them, you know that they barely take on color in the oven.

The solution? Browning the panko prior to breading. Melt the butter over medium heat, stir in the panko, and continue stirring until bread crumbs are evenly browned. You'll need to constantly stir the mixture so the heat doesn't concentrate and burn any bread crumbs.


Once the panko is golden brown, mix in the spices and set aside to cool slightly. In the meantime, prepare the cornstarch and egg. If you've ever fried chicken before, set up your station as you would to fry chicken.


Here's how to assemble, using a method we call "wet hand, dry hand":

1. Dip a cheese stick in cornstarch with one hand and coat completely. Transfer to bowl containing the beaten egg.
2. With your clean hand, dip the cheese stick in the egg until fully coated. Transfer to panko/spice mixture.
3. With your "dry hand," cover the cheese stick with the bread crumb mixture. Move to a parchment lined pan.
4. Repeat until all cheese sticks are prepared.


Once all the mozzarella sticks are ready, it's time to bake! Bake for no longer than 8 minutes, or the sticks will begin to flatten. Serve hot with marinara, or your preferred dipping sauce.


So, who are you cheering for this Sunday, Patriots or Rams? Or will that one rumor come true, and the Rams vs. Saints game be replayed? We'll see what happens.

Either way, I hope your Super Bowl is filled with lots of snacking and lots of cocktails...and maybe a Monday sick day. 😉


Baked Mozzarella Sticks

Baked Mozzarella Sticks

By
Buttery, cheesy, melty, semi-healthy mozzarella sticks. Perfect for your next game day party!
Ingredients
  • 6 Mozzarella String Cheese Sticks
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • Dash of cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 egg, beaten
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. Melt butter over medium heat. Stir in panko until coated, and continue stirring until panko has turned a golden brown. Transfer to heat safe bowl. Mix in spices, and set aside to cool slightly. 
3. To prepare for assembly, beat 1 egg in bowl and measure cornstarch onto plate. 
4. Dip unwrapped cheese stick in cornstarch and coat. Then, dip cheese stick in egg and coat. Lastly, dip cheese stick in panko mixture and coat. Set finished mozzarella stick on parchment covered pan. 5. Repeat step 4 until all mozzarella sticks have been prepared. 
6. Bake for 8 minutes. Serve hot.

Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Yield: 6 mozzarella sticks
Calories: 136 per stick