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I love appetizers. I'll order an appetizer when we go out to eat long before I'll order dessert at the end of the meal. You, too? The Green Bay Packers just had another big win yesterday and my husband just informed me that we're having a party this next weekend for the game. My responsibility is always the food, so of course, for a football game, finger foods and appetizers take center stage.
Today, I'm sharing a recipe for Skinny Mozzarella Sticks. I love these little sticks because they're baked, not fried. They taste even better than what you would get served at restaurants. . . but you can make them at home. BONUS. AND they freeze well - which means they're ready to pull out of the freezer at a moment's notice. EXTRA BONUS.
So here's what you need to do:
- Combine the panko bread crumbs and herb bread crumbs in a shallow pan or bowl.
- Whisk together the eggs and the milk.
- Cut the unwrapped cheese sticks in half.
- Dip the sticks in the egg mixture.
- Dip in the bread crumb mixture.
- Place the sticks on a lightly greased baking sheet and then slide into the freezer for an hour.
So, I love what can happen after freezing the mozzarella sticks. You have two options: you can either make the mozzarella sticks right away, or you can transfer the frozen sticks to a freezer-safe container and place back in the freezer until you want to prepare them. So easy, right?
I made some of mine right away and the rest went into a container for. . .oh our next party maybe? Which is now. . .next weekend. . .I guess? Sounds good to me!
The panko is really what gives the sticks a nice, light crunch on the outside while the bread crumbs provide the flavor. I need more flavor than just what regular Italian bread crumbs can provide so that's why I opted for the herb and garlic flavored crumbs. You'll see many recipes that require you to dip the sticks into flour before the crumb mixture. I really don't think that step is necessary, so I don't do it. They still turn out great!
And once you start dipping, it's hard to stop. Believe me.
Oh, so good. That ooey, gooey center is exactly what you're going for. Go ahead and "skinny" dip it up. I'll be making more of these to serve the crowd for game day next weekend! Enjoy!
READY FOR MORE FRESH, GAME DAY APPETIZERS?
Skinny Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients
- 1 package string cheese (I buy mine unwrapped with 16 sticks in the pack)
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 cup Progresso Garlic & Herb bread crumbs
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Spaghetti (pizza or marinara sauce for dipping)
Instructions
- Cut cheese sticks in half - you'll have 32 sticks.
- Whisk the eggs and the milk in a bowl until combined.
- Combine panko and bread crumbs in another bowl.
- Dip each cheese stick in the egg mixture, then the crumb mixture and place on lightly greased cookie sheet.
- Place in freezer for about an hour.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Spray the tops of the mozzarella sticks with non-stick cooking spray.
- Bake in the oven for 5 minutes.
- Turn and bake for another 4-5 minutes taking care to ensure the sticks don't melt.
- Allow to cool for 1-2 minutes and serve with dipping sauce.
Notes
- Choosing the Right Cheese: Opt for low-fat or part-skim mozzarella string cheese to keep the calorie count lower in your Skinny Mozzarella Sticks. These options still provide the cheesy goodness you crave without adding unnecessary calories and fat. Check the nutrition labels to find the healthiest option available.
- Baking Technique for Crispy Coating: To achieve a crispy coating without deep frying, ensure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature (400 degrees Fahrenheit) before baking the mozzarella sticks. Additionally, placing the coated sticks in the freezer for an hour before baking helps the breading adhere better and prevents the cheese from melting too quickly in the oven. This results in crunchy, golden-brown mozzarella sticks with a gooey center.
- Preventing Sticking: To prevent the mozzarella sticks from sticking to the baking sheet, lightly grease it with cooking spray before placing the sticks on it. This ensures easy removal after baking and helps maintain the integrity of the crispy coating. Additionally, spraying the tops of the mozzarella sticks with non-stick cooking spray before baking helps them achieve a crispy texture on all sides.
Kristy gd
I must admit - I'm going to have the rest of my month planned at the rate I'm finding delicious recipes! I need a party to serve these at - stat! Thanks for linking up with the Creative Spark!
Theresa @DearCreatives
Looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing your recipe at the party! Pinned & sharing.
Cheryl Kirkness
Those sound pretty good! Thank you for linking up to Party Time and we hope to see you again next week!
Karly
Totally irresistible! I need to give these a try! Thanks for linking up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!
Emma
This sounds amazing - definitely a recipe to try! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Brandi Clevinger
I have tried many different types of mozzarella sticks recipe, but I've never came across one that used panko and herb crumbs together or cutting the sticks in half! These are both great ideas! I just printed out this recipe to try this weekend! My kids are going to love them, I'm sure!
Thank you for linking up at #InspireMeMondays ! I pinned your post to the Inspire Me Mondays group board at http://www.pinterest.com/morselsoflife/inspire-me-monday/