Healthy Mozzarella Sticks

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Total: 55 min
  • Prep: 25 min
  • Inactive: 15 min
  • Cook: 15 min
A fun crispy, oozy appetizer for the whole family-and one that has calcium goodness. The pizza flavor profile makes them extra tasty for kids' palates.
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Ingredients

10 whole-grain Melba toasts

1/3 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs

1 tablespoon minced fresh oregano

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Large pinch ground cayenne, optional 

2 large egg whites

1 large egg

1 clove garlic, minced

1/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour or unbleached all-purpose flour

8 sticks part-skim mozzarella string cheese, halved crosswise

Olive oil cooking spray, for coating the cheese sticks

1/3 cup store-bought marinara sauce, warmed, for serving

Directions

  1. Pulse the melba toasts in a food processor to make semi-coarse crumbs; transfer to a medium bowl or dish. Mix in the breadcrumbs, oregano, 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper and the cayenne if using. 
  2. Whisk together the egg whites, whole egg, garlic and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in another bowl. 
  3. Put the flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a resealable plastic bag. Add the cheese pieces to the bag, close and shake to coat. Dip one piece of the cheese at a time in the egg mixture first, and then roll firmly in the breadcrumb mixture; then dip the same piece again in the egg mixture followed by the breadcrumb mixture. (Note: Use one hand with the dry mixture and the other with the wet mixture.) Place on a parchment paper-lined plate or baking sheet. Freeze for 15 minutes, or up to overnight. 
  4. Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Transfer the frozen cheese sticks to another baking sheet. Fully coat the cheese sticks with the olive oil cooking spray. Bake until golden, about 12 minutes. Sprinkle with additional salt and pepper to taste. 
  5. Serve immediately with the warm marinara sauce.

Let's Get Cooking!

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shanowell

The flavor of the cheese sticks is amazing. I like it just as much as any fried cheese, probably better. I have made these several times trying to get it just right. though it taste great, as with the other comments, the cheese keep melting out. <br />Here is what I do to ensure they don’t explode:<br />1. You have to use Light mozzarella sticks, like the recipe says. If they aren’t light they will explode easier.<br />2. Double dip batter is also a must.<br />3. Freeze for at least 3 hours<br />4. Set temperature at 425<br />5. Cook for 6-8 minutes <br />

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