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!
Skinny Mozzarella Sticks
An appetizer favorite that’s baked, not fried! Crunchy on the outside with gooey cheesy goodness on the inside!
- Yield: 32
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
- When you start to see the cheese bubble out of the mozzarella sticks, pull them out of the oven immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 472
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 877
- Fat: 19
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Protein: 23
- Cholesterol: 90
READY FOR MORE FRESH, GAME DAY APPETIZERS?
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Ohh.. these look delish! Love that they are skinny too. It means I can eat twice as many right?! ;0
Kelley, you couldn’t be more right. Same goes for low cal ice cream bars.
My whole family loves homemade mozzarella sticks! We even made them for New Year’s Eve!
That’s the perfect time for these easy apps! These are sure popular in our house during football season!
Hand over the whole plate please 🙂
Coming right up, Beth. Then. . .you can come over and help me make a second batch. 😉
Love these! I find the restaurant versions never taste as great as homemade! Definitely sharing with my sister 🙂
I hope your sister loves them as much as I do!
When I first saw this recipe I thought what a great treat for the kiddos, but then I thought wait what about the adults at my superbowl party!
That’s what I’m thinking too, Amy! I plan to serve these up for this weekend’s game! And maybe the superbowl, too!
I don’t normally fry things so these are perfect for us!
We’re trying to stay away from fried foods, too. Our kids absolutely love these!
Oh my those look so amazing!! Pinning! ♥
These look so good, Sara. I really want to try them! I just need to figure out a GF breading.
I know they make gluten-free bread crumbs, Andi. Now you just need to hunt some down. . .in your spare time of course. HA!
These looks like a great idea for a Super Bowl party!! And it’s “Skinny” too! I found your recipe over at the Two Cup Tuesday link party. I host Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesday and would love it if you would come over and share this recipe. I’m sure our party goers would love it! Here is the link http://bit.ly/1BXdrnz. Have a wonderful day!
Lori
oh yeah printed these skinny mozzarella sticks out! pinning to jic! I need a few hundred of these for the son, he LOVES mozzarella sticks!
I hope your son enjoys them!
Love getting Mozzarella sticks when we go out. Which we never go out anymore, so I definitely need to learn how to make my own!!! Plus a skinny version?!? Now you’re speaking my language! Guilt free snacking here I come 🙂
I think your kiddos would love them too, Serene!
Those mozzerella sticks look yummy!! So doers the avocado salsa!! Good stuff…thanks for sharing…I would love it if you hop over and share your stuff on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday! http://www.cookinandcraftin.com/my-2-favorite-things-on-thursday-link-party-2/
These look so good! I love the idea of making a healthier version of these from home. Thanks for sharing!
Looking at your pictures of these yummmmmy Mozzarella Sticks is bringing back a whole bunch of super fun childhood memories when I would go to a local gas station with my sister and her friends and we would all share a big order of these yummy snacks. Thanks for sharing this recipe! PINNED!
You should make some of these up, freeze them and gift them to your sister sometime!! Thanks for pinning!
Absolutely ingenious!
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/
This sounds amazing – definitely a recipe to try! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Totally irresistible! I need to give these a try! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
Those sound pretty good! Thank you for linking up to Party Time and we hope to see you again next week!
Looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing your recipe at the party! Pinned & sharing.
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!