Baked Mozzarella Sticks

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These Baked Mozzarella Sticks are a cheesy appetizer that's crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. Made with just a few pantry staples and mozzarella string cheese, they're baked instead of fried for a lighter twist on the classic. A coating of seasoned breadcrumbs ensures every bite is perfectly golden and full of flavor. Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping, and watch them disappear in no time!

Baked Mozzarella Sticks are a cheesy appetizer that's crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. They're baked instead of fried for a lighter twist. | aheadofthyme.com

I don't know anyone who doesn't love ordering fried mozzarella sticks. They're crunchy, cheesy, and usually paired with an awesome dipping sauce. And these baked mozzarella sticks are just as amazing as what you'll find in a restaurant! So if you're looking for an easy but satisfying snack for game day, parties, or a cozy night in, these baked mozzarella sticks are a must-try.

Why You'll Love these Baked Mozzarella Sticks

Healthier than the classic. Mozzarella sticks are traditionally deep fried in oil. Which means they would bake faster but they wouldn't be as healthy. Since we're baking them, you have to keep them in the oven just a couple minutes longer.
Easy to make. These mozzarella sticks take just 15 minutes to prep using a few simple ingredients and following a few basic steps. They also take less than 10 minutes to bake once frozen! Just remember let these sit in freezer for at least 2 hours before baking. If you don't, the cheese will melt all over your baking sheet. And that would be sad.
Great for meal prep. These delicious cheese sticks are frozen first before baking, which means you can make a big batch ahead of thyme time. Whether you are making this for a large group or solo, follow the recipe and make the full 24 pieces (or more!) and save any leftovers for another day. You can freeze the unbaked cheese sticks and throw them in the oven whenever you want.
Easy to customize. You can switch up the flavours in the breadcrumbs to totally revamp this recipe whenever you are looking for a bit of a change. Season the panko breadcrumbs with any fresh or dried herbs, but I personally think oregano or Italian seasoning is the way to go (you're basically seasoning these the same way you would a pizza, which is why they're so delicious dipped into marinara!).

Ingredient Notes

To make these easy Baked Mozzarella Sticks, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

cheese - you will need mozzarella string cheese and parmesan cheese (in the coating). You can substitute the mozzarella string cheese with other types of melty cheese.
flour
eggs
panko breadcrumbs - you can also use regular breadcrumbs for a different texture. Panko gives the sticks an extra crisp texture.
seasonings - you will need salt and pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried parsley. Feel free to substitute the dried oregano and parsley with Italian seasoning.
parmesan cheese
dipping sauce - our favorite sauces for dipping are marinara sauce or pizza sauce.

You will also need measuring cups and spoons, shallow bowls, parchment paper, and a sheet pan.

How to Make the Best Baked Mozzarella Sticks

Prep mozzarella. Take each mozzarella string cheese and cut it in half to create 2 pieces that are smaller in length. Set aside.
Prep breading bowls. Set up three shallow bowls for the breading. In the first bowl, combine flour, salt, and pepper. In the second, add the eggs. In the third, combine panko, parmesan, garlic powder, oregano, and parsley.

Dredge. Begin by dredging the halved mozzarella sticks in the flour, then move to the egg and coat thoroughly on all sides. Lastly, add the mozzarella sticks, a few at a time, to the panko breadcrumb mixture and toss to coat on all sides.

Freeze. Place the coated mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (to prevent the cheese from sticking to the tray). Place in freezer for at least 2 hours until hard.
Bake. Preheat the oven to 400 F and place the rack in lower third of oven. Bake the frozen mozzarella sticks for 8 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs become golden brown. Watch carefully, though, as the cheese will begin melting if left in too long!

Serve. Serve warm with marinara or pizza sauce.

Recipe Variations

Play with the seasonings. This recipe uses garlic powder, dried oregano, and parsley, but you can certainly use Italian seasoning instead or add some finely grated Parmesan cheese for extra Italian flavor. A little chili powder or red pepper flakes would add a nice kick, too. For another flavor profile, use Ranch dressing powder for a tangy, herby flavor that tastes wonderful in the bread crumb mixture!
Change the breadcrumbs. Panko bread crumbs have the crunchiest texture, but you can use Italian bread crumbs, whole wheat breadcrumbs, homemade ones, and more.
Use a different type of cheese. Mozzarella is, of course, ideal for melting, but there are lots of different types of string cheeses available in grocery stores these days! Try using smoked mozzarella for a smoky flavor, cheddar cheese sticks, and more. Just be aware that other cheeses won't have quite the same stretchy pull you get with mozzarella, but they'll taste amazing!

How to Serve

These Baked Mozzarella Sticks are delicious served on their own with your favorite dipping sauces. Marinara Sauce is a must for traditional mozzarella sticks, but that's just the start! Cheesy mozzarella sticks are also wonderful dipped in:

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Freeze first. I know it's tempting to bake the cheese sticks right away, but this causes the cheese to melt too quickly and become a big mess. To maintain that oblong shape, you need to freeze the mozzarella cheese sticks for several hours before baking.
Watch the color. The tricky thing about making homemade mozzarella sticks is baking them just right. If you pull them out too soon, the cheese will be firm and chewy on the inside. Too late, and they'll ooze molten cheese everywhere! For the best results, follow the timing carefully and watch for the golden brown color.
Double-coat the cheese sticks. This is entirely optional, but if you're all about that crunch, consider coating the cheese sticks in the breadcrumb mixture more than once! It gets a little messy, so I recommend freezing the cheese sticks before the second dip to keep the mess at a minimum. Freeze again, then bake like normal.
Spritz with olive oil. For an extra crispy crust, spray the cheese sticks with nonstick cooking spray before baking. It will help the panko bread crumbs crisp up really nicely.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Store any leftover cheese sticks in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To absorb extra moisture, consider lining the container with paper towels.

How to Reheat

Leftover mozzarella sticks can be reheated, but the cheese will not become stretchy and stringy again. For the best texture, place cheese sticks in a toaster oven or air fryer and bake at 400 F for a few minutes until warmed through and the breadcrumb coating is nice and crisp.

How to Freeze

If you want to freeze your cheese sticks, it's best to freeze them before baking. Just let them freeze on a large baking sheet, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer-safe ziploc bag. Bake directly from frozen and serve!

FAQ

What type of mozzarella do you use for mozzarella sticks?

Mozzarella comes in many forms, but not every type is appropriate for making your favorite mozzarella sticks recipe. Skip fresh mozzarella, which is too soft and watery. Instead, you want low-moisture mozzarella, the gooey cheese you know and love from your favorite pizza, cheese sticks, and more. To make it even easier, I like to use mozzarella string cheese sticks, which are the perfect shape and size. Just unwrap each one and place the piece of cheese in the flour, then the egg mixture, then the breadcrumbs. Easy!

Are baked mozzarella sticks healthier?

Yes! Deep fried cheese sticks are not exactly a health food, particularly from all the excess oil (and calories) you consume from the deep drying process. These baked mozzarella sticks are lower in calories since they aren't fried, and you can use low-fat mozzarella to reduce the calorie content even further. They're a great alternative if you have a cheese stick craving and want to satisfy it without exceeding your daily calorie goal!

Can you bake homemade mozzarella sticks in the air fryer?

Yes! Air frying is a great way to make homemade mozzarella sticks. Follow all of the instructions as described in the recipe card, then bake them in a preheated air fryer. Be sure to arrange them in a single layer, and turn halfway through to crisp up evenly. Perfect for small batches!

More Cheese Appetizers

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