Description
Crispy and gooey baked mozzarella sticks coated in a parmesan and herb breadcrumb mixture, perfect as a delicious appetizer or snack served with marinara or pizza sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
Mozzarella Sticks
- 12 mozzarella string cheeses
Breading
- ½ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
Dipping Sauce
- 1 cup marinara sauce or pizza sauce
Instructions
- Prepare mozzarella sticks: Cut each mozzarella string cheese in half to create 24 smaller pieces and set aside.
- Set up breading stations: In three shallow bowls, place the flour mixed with salt and pepper in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan, garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried parsley in the third bowl.
- Bread the mozzarella sticks: Dredge each halved mozzarella stick first in the flour mixture, then coat thoroughly in beaten eggs, and lastly toss in the panko breadcrumb mixture to coat evenly on all sides.
- Freeze for coating set: Place the breaded mozzarella sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 2 hours until firm to prevent cheese from melting during baking.
- Bake the mozzarella sticks: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place a rack in the lower third. Bake the frozen mozzarella sticks for 10 minutes or until breadcrumbs turn golden brown, watching carefully to avoid cheese leakage.
- Serve warm: Remove from oven and serve immediately with marinara or pizza sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Store leftover mozzarella sticks in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days; lining with paper towels helps absorb moisture.
- Reheat leftovers in a toaster oven or air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes to restore a crispy coating; cheese will lose stretchiness.
- Freeze unbaked breaded mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe container; bake directly from frozen.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
