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Homemade Baked Mozzarella Sticks

Mozzarella sticks are a delicious treat, probably one of the most popular appetizers at restaurants, and a fun party food. They tend to be rather fattening, especially considering they are usually fried, but they are so irresistibly tasty. So how do you give in to the temptation that is mozzarella sticks without the guilt? Make healthy, Baked Mozzarella Sticks! Here is a recipe I love, and your family will too.

baked homemade mozzarella sticks

Healthy Baked Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients

1 pkg. low fat mozzarella cheese strings (8-10 sticks)
1/2 cup flour
2 large egg whites, lightly beaten
1 cup dry bread crumbs or Italian style panko (seasoned)
marinara sauce for dipping

healthy baked homemade mozzarella sticks

Directions

1. Cut mozzarella string cheese pieces in half and put in freezer for 15 minutes (so they ooze less while baking)
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
3. Place flour, egg whites, and bread crumbs in three separate shallow bowls for dipping. If using bread crumbs, season with salt and pepper to taste (Italian style panko is already seasoned)
4. Dip each mozzarella stick, one at a time, into the flour to lightly coat, then into the egg whites, and finally into the bread crumbs, completely covering the cheese. Pat crumbs on to help them adhere to egg whites layer.
5. Place each completed mozzarella stick onto a baking dish.
6. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until mozzarella sticks are a golden color. Serve with marinara sauce or dip of choice.

I hope you enjoy this delicious, healthy twist on traditional fried mozzarella sticks. If you are health conscious, for your heart or weight, these lighter, less greasy Baked Mozzarella Sticks will make you feel like you aren’t missing a thing! If you try them, I’d love to know what you think of my recipe.

Note: Some comments indicate that mozzarella is oozing sooner than time prescribed in this recipe- keep an eye on the sticks while baking and feel free to shorten the bake time to suit your oven. If you see the mozzarella sticks turn a lovely shade of gold before the 10 minutes, take them out!




  • You have no idea how much I love mozzarella sticks!!!!

  • Amy

    I have never tried to make my own. I really need to try this recipe!

  • Penelope!!!! I can score mother of the year award with this recipe. Thanks

  • Anne - Mommy Has to Work

    I love these but can’t imagine making them from scratch.

  • Theresa

    Yummy!

  • Penelope

    It’s super easy (I buy the organic mozzarella sticks from Trader Joe’s, dunk them in these three things, and bake…much healthier than anything you will get at a restaurant or in the box, and both fast and easy- your kids can help!)…especially now that you are going to be a work at home mom, you’ll probably find you start to do this stuff more 🙂

  • nicole @WriteSpell

    Oh gosh these look so yummy!

  • Tammy

    I like taking my favorite fried foods and baking them.

  • Marcie W.

    I love mozzarella sticks and it was my number one pregnancy craving with my oldest. I wish I knew of a baked recipe then. I might have gained less than 85lbs!

  • Melinda

    my dad does this but he fries them, I hate fried food but LOVE mozzarella sticks 🙂

  • Donna

    I love that they’re baked! Thanks for sharing!

  • Oh my yum. I am adding this to the list of things I plan to make once I hit goal weight!

  • Ashley - Embracing Beauty

    Oh my goodness! You have given me such a craving for these!!

  • I love mozzarella sticks! And baked is such a healthier version than frying!

  • Mmm! These look delicious and so easy to make! We just got a Costco sized package of mozzarella sticks so I’m so going to try this recipe out!

  • Terry (My journey with candida)

    My family loves mozzarella sticks. I am going to try to make these next time my daughter and G kids visit. Thanks for the recipe.

  • Shop with Me Mama (Kim)

    Oh my goodness, YUM! I love mozzarella sticks and all the better if they are homemade!

  • These sound so yummy!

  • Rachel

    I am straight up craving mozz sticks right now! I honestly had no idea they were this simple. All these years…

    🙂

  • Lolo

    I have never made homemade cheese sticks! I am going to have to give this a try!

  • OMG…they look SO much better than the frozen ones that I buy. I didn’t realize how easy they were to make. Thanks for the recipe.

  • Oh these look really good

  • Looks good!

  • Oooo, these look REALLY good, Penelope.

  • These look yummy!

  • Homemade always tastes better 🙂 These look delicious!

  • Those look yummy!

  • I can’t wait to try this! Thanks for sharing!

  • These look really good and easy to make too.

  • this is so great!! I am definitely doing this today!! Thanks!

  • Maureen @ Wisconsin Mommy

    I am definitely going to try these!

  • I love panko bread crumbs. Sounds like a great recipe. Thanks for sharing.

  • Mitchell

    Trying these tonight with the family, look tasty!

  • Jack Vermicelli

    “Place each completed mozzarella stick onto a baking dish.”

    Saying instead “place all completed mozzarella sticks onto a baking dish” would’ve been less ambiguous as to how many baking dishes are needed.

  • Simone Woods

    I know my 5 year old would adore these!

  • Sue

    Great idea baking the mozzarella sticks. I do try to stay away from fried foods, mozzarella sticks are just too good to pass up. Will be trying this recipe!

  • Holly

    You don’t think that was obvious? Why have a baking dish for each stick?

    The recipe looks delicious!

  • Nick

    how have I gone my whole life without making these? Freezing the cheese before is genius.

  • Jack Vermicelli

    I knew exactly what was meant, but the point still stands.

    I agree- they do look good.

  • Mary Jones

    I was just working on my Real Estate Blog and happened upon your recipe. Sounds awesome, and I am now very hungry!

  • Sharon Koenig

    Looks great! Really good idea using the mozzerella strings! Looks really simple, I know my kids love fried mozzerella sticks! 🙂

  • Lisa @ A Little Slice of Life

    My husband will die when I make these. Thanks so much.

  • DineIn Chennai

    Homemade food always healthy & tasty. Looks Good!

  • Amie @ Family Recipes

    I love that these are baked and not fried (I do not own a deep fryer)!
    Thank you :0)

  • Bakeca Brescia

    These look delicious !Thank you!

  • Pixie

    Looks so yummy!!!

  • My husband always avoids moz. sticks because they are fried – he’s going to love this recipe!

  • April Decheine

    Okay I am going to have to make these, was telling my son about this easy recipe!

  • Elle

    I had horrible luck with this recipe. Even though I put them in the freezer for 15 minutes they still ran all over the place on my pan. Will try again another time, but this time will put in freezer after prepared for a bit, instead of before.

  • Elle

    They taste great though, by the way!

  • candy

    mine did not work! they stayed powdery! why?

  • Michelle

    Literally just got done making and eating these with dinner. Virtually no difference in taste, although i did have some trouble getting the bread crumbs to stay on. Otherwise delicious!

  • Amanda

    They ran all over my pan when I made them as well and did not get as golden brown as I would have liked. Also I used unseasoned panko so they were quite boring tasting. The second time I made them I put seasoning salt in the panko for flavor, and it was delicious. Also for dipping I just used Ragu salsa, it worked perfectly.

  • Andrea Melone

    Mozzerella sticks are one my weaknesses, and I was delighted to find an easy and healthier alternative! I accidentally made them with full eggs, not just egg whites, but they were still very tasty! Also, I couldn’t find any “Italian style panko crumbs; they’re Japanese. I’m a fan of panko, but next time I’ll use traditional bread crumbs. This was a good idea!

  • I so need to make these soon!!

  • I am adding this to our meal plan THIS WEEK! LOVE them!!

  • Justine

    Oh my goodness! What a great idea! Healthier version of the store bought! They look wonderful. Can’t wait to try them!

  • Krista

    I’m on a low carb diet, so I tried this recipe with some substituted ingredients. Instead of regular flour, I used Atkins brand flour. And instead of bread crumbs/planko, I used crunched up pork rinds. I know, it sounds crazy, and I was sceptical too, but this recipe totally works. With this modified recipe, for about 8 cheese sticks it’s 2 net carbs. Definitely a great low carb snack!

  • Penelope

    Ooh, that sounds awesome!

  • Tim

    My kids love cheese sticks. I’m going to have to try this. Thanks!

  • Tyler Kansas

    HEY So I tried to make these and the cheese melted all over the place……. I think I did something wrong.

  • Penelope

    Did you put them in the freezer first for 15 minutes? Some ovens are also stronger than others, so I would try lowering the heat a bit, and check on them while they are baking to see if they are golden (you don’t have to wait the full time if they turn golden earlier)

  • These are a great idea for the family. A little healthier means I won’t feel guilty !Please link up to Foodie Friday!

  • Thanks for breaking this down. This looks delicious and easy enough for me to do!

    Regina

  • So I have a HUGE weakness for mozza sticks, so I was thrilled to stumble upon this recipe. I eagerly made them for my boyfriend, but as some of the other commenters experienced, I must have gone wrong somewhere because they totally flattened and oozed all over the place. I had even put the sticks in the freezer for 20 minutes beforehand, just to be sure. In future, I’ll lower the temperature to 350, or even less. I think 400 is just too high for such gooey cheese. Anyway, they were still delicious, despite the cheese being on the outside of the crust!

  • Denver Real Estate

    Yummy! I love cheese sticks. <3

  • SOOO good. I made these the other day with panko bread crumbs instead, no flour, just double dipped in panko and egg. They turned out delicious!

  • Those look super yummy and easy to make! Thanks for sharing!

  • KaseyandMeryl

    So… picture this: you’re hangin’ with you bust buddy, stumblin’ on internet WHEN… you come across ‘Homemade Baked Mozzarella Sticks’. Soo, hell yeah, we jump to it. cut cheese floured dipped and breadcumbed. Then we baked it!

    however, we got to 12 minutes later, checked the oven and they were melted everywhere.
    Yepp we didnt read the directions which clearly said it freeze it first. Haha turned out great anyway!

    -Kaymer

  • Donne Milano

    Looks delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

  • Those look SO good!

  • Vedette

    Thank you for this great recipe. Now I have something to do with my kids on the weekend.

  • Rachel Springman

    These were awesome!! I just made them for my husband and he LOVED them!! Thanks for posting the recipe! 🙂

  • Jill

    Was just looking at buying some of these today in the supermarket for an upcoming party but after seeing this I think I’ll have a go at making some myself as they don’t look too difficult to make.

  • Arabiancoffees

    Always wondered how these beauties we’re made in restaurants… Now I can make myself! Thanks guys!

  • Kim

    I made these, and the recipe is good, but mine melted EVERYWHERE. I even froze the cheese for about 30 mins. What am I missing??

  • Penelope

    Hi Kim, try a lower heat…the temperature is based on my own oven, but your oven may be stronger and conduct heat better, so you may be able to make them with a lower temperature (or else cut the time…just keep an eye on them and once they are golden brown, take them out even if they aren’t in there the full time I stated)

  • E

    Reallly good! What’s your estimate on calories for these?

  • trip

    MMMm yummy and it looks like its a pretty cheep party snack as well, I like it

  • MaeLisa

    mmmmm! They we’re fantastic! Thanks for sharing! <3
    ~MaeLisa

  • karaabasa

    MMM, they look great. I think with a bit tomato these mozzarella sticks would be delicious

  • Cari

    Made these with the 3.5yr olds I nanny. They loved being able to help cook! Thanks!

  • I never knew it was so easy. I soooooooo luv cheese sticks. Thanks!

  • Hi,

    This homemade baked mozzarella sticks recipe is simply delicious and mouth watering recipe ..Great one !!!

    Regards
    Abhigyan Mukherjee
    Indian Cuisine-Made easy for beginners.
    Cooking made easy to all beginners.My blog will not only have common and traditional recipes,but the recipes will be very detailed and meticulous

  • Tiffany

    Thought these looked awesome, so had to try them. Froze them, followed the instructions, 10 minutes later, they are everywhere. So being a believer in second chances I tried again, same thing happened. So I guess this one sadly is not for me.

  • Penelope

    Make them again, and this time for a shorter time (keep an eye and take them out when you see they are golden, don’t have to keep them in the whole time)…they are so tasty, it’s worth it! Your oven may be stronger than mine is, so experiment with shorter times and even lower heat (and let me know what happens).

  • Jennifer K

    My son saw this recipe (via stumbleupon) and asked me to make these tonight. They look great! We’ll be trying them tonight!

  • Evie

    Haha, I’m fourteen and I’m making these for my dad and his girlfriend. Hoping they turn out well, I’ve read a lot of the comments saying they’ve melted everywhere, so I’m gonna cook them at a lower tempurature and see how they do. Also, I’m experimenting with whole milk mozz and part-skim mozz just to see what happens.

    Thanks for the recipe, my family and I love mozzarella sticks, and the fact that they’re baked makes them so much better. Thanks!!!!

  • Aliza

    Made them as a side dish today for dinner, and they were amazing! Thank you so much for the recipe! I did turn each one over and cooked a little bit more. So great, thanks for sharing! 🙂

  • Adriane

    I saw this recipe on pinterest. I only had 5 cheese sticks so I had a lot extra which I used to make onion rings. It was quite delicious 🙂

  • Skye Drinkwater

    I made these over the weekend and will be making them again. They are delicious!!! I used Classico Fire Roasted Tomato pizza sauce to dip them in instead of marinara.

  • Penelope

    Thanks for the sauce tip!

  • Now i am feeling hungry! But alas i cannot make all this stuff 🙁

  • Allie

    I just tried making these at 350 degrees for 8 minutes after being frozen for about 25 minutes and they still melted everywhere 🙁

  • amylynn

    I was soo excited to see this recipe. My family loves cheese sticks and the fact that they are baked was great. I froze the sticks for 15 min before prepping and another 10 after. I baked only at 350. About 1/2 of them melted and none got brown. I ate some and the flavor was good but the appearance was off putting. Needs work.

  • great recipe! i used gluten free bread crumbs and flour instead of regular and it work great! a little oosy but tasted great!!

  • Kelsey Apley

    Oh yummy!!

  • Monica

    I did it at 300 degrees for 10 minutes and they were great! If i would have left them in any longer they wouldve melted everywhere. I also didnt preheat the oven, i turned it on once they were inside.

  • Stacey

    I tried these tonight and they are way better than what I have had a Ruby Tuesday or Applebees!! thanks so much for sharing!!

  • Phô mai que

    The cheese sticks look so yummy! I usually eat the fry version. But I’ll try the bake one soon. Thanks for the recipe!

  • Holly

    I made these over the weekend and they were really good! I’m a lover of mozzarella cheese sticks, but sadly they are always deep fried! I tried cutting the cheese up in different ways to see which worked best. I think cutting the stick in half short way, and then cutting those two halves once long ways (you will have 4 cheese sticks per stick that way) made the best cheese stick. (Less cheese melted out with that method.) I also made them on a stone pan. Halfway through I turned down the oven for a bit- that helped make them crunchy and the cheese wasn’t bubbling as much.
    Thanks for this awesome recipe!

  • I love mozzarella sticks, but usually skip them due to all the frying oil. This is right up my alley!

  • Sandra

    I made these yesterday for my boyfriend and his friends. They were a huge hit! They’re so simple yet taste so complex. His friends wanted to know what were in them. As far as trouble with baking them, I did everything like you said. Froze for 15 minutes. I didn’t preheat which I’m thinking I should have, because they were in the oven for over 20 minutes, and still didn’t get the golden brown color I was hoping for. I did not have any issues with them melting all over at all. I was worried, but they turned out amazing.

  • Penelope

    That is so great to hear! I love to make them because I have two little boys and I don’t want to give them anything fried, so am always looking for healthier versions of our favorite foods. Thank you for telling me how it worked out!