Baked Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
Crispy and cheesy baked mozzarella sticks coated with a seasoned breadcrumb and panko mixture, perfect for a delicious appetizer or snack. These baked sticks are easy to prepare, freezer-friendly, and served best with a warm marinara dipping sauce.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Cheese
- 6 string cheese sticks (mozzarella and jalapeno work well)
Coating
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 eggs
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tbsp butter (melted)
- 1½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
Dipping Sauce
- 1 cup marinara or spaghetti sauce (warmed)
Instructions
- Prepare baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly spray the foil with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking during baking.
- Cut cheese sticks: Halve each string cheese stick crosswise to make them shorter and easier to coat and bake.
- Set up dredging stations: Place the flour in a shallow bowl. In a second shallow bowl, beat the eggs together with water. In a third bowl, whisk together the seasoned bread crumbs, panko bread crumbs, melted butter, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Coat the cheese sticks: Dredge each cheese stick first in the flour, then dip into the egg wash, followed by rolling in the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat the egg and breadcrumb coatings one more time to ensure a total of five coating layers, pressing breadcrumbs firmly to adhere well.
- Freeze the coated sticks: Arrange the coated cheese sticks on the prepared baking sheet. Cover the baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours to firm up the coating and prevent melting during baking.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 415°F (215°C) and place the rack in the middle position for even baking.
- Bake the sticks: Remove the frozen cheese sticks from the freezer and place them in the hot oven. Bake for 10 to 20 minutes until the sticks are heated through, crispy, and golden brown. Turn the sticks halfway through baking for uniform crispiness.
- Serve: Serve the baked mozzarella sticks warm with a side of warmed marinara or spaghetti sauce for dipping. Enjoy the crispy, cheesy goodness!
Notes
- Freezing the coated sticks before baking is important to prevent cheese from melting too quickly and oozing out.
- You can substitute seasoned bread crumbs with Italian-style breadcrumbs for extra flavor.
- If you prefer spicier sticks, jalapeno string cheese adds a nice kick.
- For a crispier texture, ensure you fully coat each stick with the breadcrumb mixture twice.
- These mozzarella sticks work well as an appetizer or party snack.
Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/baked-mozzarella-sticks-recipe/
