Baked Mozzarella Sticks
These baked mozzarella sticks are just as crispy and full of melted cheese liked the fried version, minus all of the fat and calories. These make a great appetizer and are a perfect snack, especially for kids! 
Back when I was a teenager, I used to have a major thing for Sonic. I literally ate it almost everyday one summer. Looking back now I cringe at the fact that I ate there so much. I used to love ordering their fried mozzarella sticks and drowning them in some marinara sauce. Fast forward ten years, and long gone are the days of my teenage metabolism.
Ok, so I’m only in my mid-20s but I’m sure my body couldn’t recover from so many fast food meals like it once did. I really love fried mozzarella sticks, but I’m not a fan of all of the fried dough and breading. Now days, it’s just way too greasy for my taste buds.
The good news is that I can still enjoy them, but in a much healthier way. These mozzarella sticks are seriously good and addicting! It’s almost hard to stop at one, but that’s ok because these are baked instead of fried. The panko bread crumbs help give them a nice crunchy little exterior, just like their fried counterparts. If you haven’t used panko before, I highly suggest it! It makes things so much crispier than regular bread crumbs, I love them.
These cheese sticks are great dipped in some marinara sauce, or even some light ranch. Now you can enjoy a classic version of your favorite appetizer, but in a much healthier way.
Baked Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients
- 12 part skim mozzarella sticks
- 2 egg whites*
- 2-3 tbsp flour
- 1/4 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 tbsp parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp dried parsley
- **Optional - Marinara sauce for dipping
Instructions
- Cut all of the cheese sticks in half and place in the freezer for about 20-25 minutes to harden. (Do not skip this step, it is necessary to keep the cheese from melting everywhere!)
- Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or silipat mat) and set aside.
- Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of flour in a small bowl.
- In a separate bowl, lightly whisk the egg whites.
- In another bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, panko, parmesan, and dried parsley until fully combined.
- Remove cheese sticks from the freezer. Toss each cheese stick first in the flour, shaking off any excess. Repeat the same thing with the egg white mixture, then with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Place all of the cheese sticks on the prepared baking sheet, lightly spray with oil.
- Bake for 4-5 minutes, remove from oven, flip the cheese sticks, then bake for another 4-5 minutes. Keep a close eye on them as they can easily start to burn or melt too much.*
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
Notes
*I broiled mine for the last minute or so to get them crispier. If you do this, make sure to watch them closely.
*These are best served immediately, however, you can prep them ahead of time and pop them in the freezer until you are ready to bake them.
Adapted from Skinny Taste
My sticks still oozed cheese despite putting them in th r freezer for 25 minutes. Any suggestions?
Sorry to hear that, Margaret! Every oven is different, so it’s possible yours may run a little warmer than mine. You could try dropping the oven temperature to 375 or bake them about 1 minute less on each side. Another thing that may help is to put them back in the freezer for about 10-15 minutes after you prepare them to make sure the cheese isn’t too soft. Then put them straight into the oven from the freezer. Hope this helps!
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Oh goodness, these mozzarella sticks look awesome! I need to add them to my must make list!
Hope you enjoy them Pamela! They are really good 🙂
These look super authentic! Love the baked idea 🙂
I’m loving the fact that these are light and baked!!!!! This means I can eat 5 sticks more and not feel guilty about it! Delicious! *-*
My husband is obsessed with mozzarell sticks, but I never let him buy them because they seem so unhealthy. I think I would gain some major points if I made him these!! I love that you baked them instead of frying them! I will be making these for him this weekend, and I, of course, will be eating a bunch of them too 🙂
Let me know if you try them. My husband loved them, I hope you both do too!
Love these! Much healthier than the Arby’s mozzarella sticks…that was my guilty pleasure snack after school all during junior high.
Love Sonic’s happy hour!! These look delicious – what a great idea to bake mozzarella sticks instead of frying them! They still look so crispy!
They came out really crispy, I think I like these better than the fried version 🙂
I love Sonic slush drinks and lemonades 😀 These mozzarella sticks look delicious! I love that they are baked! Pinning!
Thanks Cindy!
We have a sonic about an hour away, and every time we drive by I beg Shawn to pull over so I can get a drink with that yummy nugget ice! It’s just the best ice ever. Probably good that there isn’t one closer, otherwise I would be there too much : )
These mozzarella sticks sound delicious! This is one of my favorite appetizers. It’s breaded cheese, what’s not to love?! Glad you baked these instead of fried, every extra calorie counts : )
Their ice is really the best, you can actually buy bags of it there! You can never go wrong with breaded cheese too 😉
Well, these look amazing. Would it be ok if I had them for a second breakfast?? 😉 I LOVE mozzarella sticks. Pair ’em with some marinara sauce and I’m set for life. I’ve never tried a baked version before, but now I’m thinking I gotta! Gorgeous photos too, Danielle! Pinned.
They’re healthy enough for breakfast, right? Haha.. Thanks so much Sarah!
I used to love Sonic, too! I still go there every once in a while for their shakes. These mozzarella sticks look amazing…love your pictures! They sound so easy to make, too. Definitely trying this recipe out. Pinned!
I love the half priced shakes every now and then! Thanks for the pin, Gayle!
You’re totally giving me a hankering for mozzarella sticks. It’s been too long and the whole family loves ém!
Have a great day Danielle!