Mozzarella Sticks Healthy Baked Cheese Sticks Wellplated Com

If your childhood sleepovers (or late-night college festivities) were anything like mine, you likely remember mozzarella sticks as deep-fried, greasy, gooey wonders of crispy cheesy goodness. I never felt particularly well after eating fried cheese sticks, but that wasn’t the point. Sometimes a girl just needs fried cheese (and sometimes a side of Zucchini Fries too). Today, I’m sharing my “grown-up, healthy mozzarella sticks.” (This Adult Mac and Cheese is yet another “grown-up” version of a childhood favorite that came in a blue box.) They’re just as cheesy, crunchy, and satisfying as the cheese sticks from the days of yore but made with a few healthy(ish) modifications. Unlike the mozzarella sticks (or Tater Tots or Potato Skins) you’ll find in a freezer box or on a bar menu, today’s homemade mozzarella sticks are baked in the oven, not fried (just like these tasty Jalapeño Poppers). Of course, they’re still ideal for dunking in your favorite dipping sauce (these Honey Garlic Chicken Wings are also perfect for dipping). Childhood Erin would eat mozzarella sticks with ranch dressing but grownup Erin prefers her mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce…though if you passed her a plate of them with ranch dressing at a football party, I doubt she would say no.

How to Make Mozzarella Sticks

Making mozzarella sticks without frying them is easier than you think (just ask Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks)! The recipe uses simple ingredients to yield deliciously cheesy and golden goodness. Keep reading to learn how to make the BEST mozzarella sticks recipe ever (then whip up a batch of this Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip for dipping).

The Ingredients

String Cheese. Yes, that string cheese. The most important of all the mozzarella sticks ingredients! I like to use part-skim mozzarella string cheese for convenience (and string cheese is actually a fairly wholesome snack).

Flour. Using flour is important for making those yummy breadcrumbs stick to the string cheese. I found that all-purpose flour was the best for this recipe.Eggs. The all-important breadcrumb binding agent. Since the eggs are critical for sticking the breadcrumbs to the string cheese, I have not tried to make mozzarella sticks without egg.Breadcrumbs. For a perfectly uniform and crisp coating, use a blend of Italian-seasoned whole wheat breadcrumbs and whole wheat panko bread crumbs (like these).

Italian Seasoning + Garlic Powder. The secret weapon in these baked mozzarella sticks. They give these Italian cheese sticks that nostalgic pizzeria flavor (just like this Italian Mac and Cheese).Dipping Sauce. Are you team ranch or marinara? Both are excellent options for these homemade baked mozzarella sticks (and this Roasted Red Pepper Dip probably wouldn’t be too shabby either).

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Mozzarella sticks are best enjoyed immediately after making. You can try saving the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.To Reheat. For best results, warm the cheese sticks gently in a 350 degree F oven until heated through.To Freeze. For long-term storage, transfer the unbaked coated sticks to a ziptop bag and freeze them for several months.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Shallow Bowls. Make dredging the mozzarella cheese sticks in egg and breadcrumbs easy peasy (they’re great for prepping Crispy Asian Chicken Tenders too).Baking Sheet. One of my most used and trusted kitchen warriors! It’s great for making other tasty appetizers like Parsnip Fries.Small Whisk. This smaller-scale whisk is ideal for stirring ingredients together without splashing everything all over the counter.

Had competitive cheese pulling been a sport in college, I would have been the champion.