A few weeks ago, I was adding in the thyme and oregano to my favorite homemade mozzarella sticks when it suddenly occurred to me — why are cheese sticks always made with Italian seasonings? Mexican food includes mozzarella all the time. Why not give this cheese stick recipe a try…Mexi-style?!?
So I did.
And I’m pretty sure that if you should too.
These turned out SO well!!! For the Mexi twist, I added in chili powder, cumin, oregano and a pinch of cayenne in place of the traditional Italian seasonings. And then when baked with Panko, I love that they were super crispy but not fried. (So hey, you can enjoy them all the more!) Finally, in place of marinara, I subbed in some of my favorite salsa. A match made in foodie heaven.
Can’t wait to try these again soon!
Baked Mexican Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 mini cheese sticks
Description
Mozzarella cheese sticks go “Mexican” in this easy, delicious and lighter recipe!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Begin by unwrapping each piece of string cheese, and then cutting them all in half. Place evenly on a plate and freeze until frozen, at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and spray lightly with olive oil.
- Set up your prep line for the cheese sticks. Fill the first bowl with the flour. Fill the second bowl with the beaten egg. Then fill the third bowl with the panko, chili powder, cumin, garlic salt and oregano, and whisk those five ingredients together until evenly mixed.
- Remove the frozen pieces of string cheese, and one by one dunk each first in the flour mixture until evenly coated, then the egg, then carefully roll in the panko mixture. Be sure that all sides of the cheese are coated in breadcrumbs, then gently place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining breadcrumbs.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and just begins to seep out. Remove and serve immediately with your favorite salsa.
I’d love a video on this! Just in case you are looking for a reason to do one :)
I’ve tried making mozzarella sticks this way before but not using this exact recipe. It’s never worked for me, probably because I didn’t use egg! :)
What a great idea for a healthier cheese snack! Really like that they are baked, not fried. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe!
Hi! Of course I just found this recipe on Pinterest ;) And was wondering the answer to what someone else already asked…the recipe lists the Italian breadcrumbs & the Panko but doesn’t say what to do with the Italian breadcrumbs in the instructions…could you clarify? Thanks! They look fabulous!
I can’t wait to make these….Thank-You. For sharing this recipe…… you are my new BFF!
These photos are incredible. And this snack is right up our alley. Thanks for sharing!
These pictures are incredible! The red is so unbelievably awesome. I love how it just jumps out at you! And I love mozzarella sticks. Can’t wait to try the baked kind. :)
Definitely loving this mexican touch!
Breaded mozzarella…breaded asadero…breaded colby cheddar…breaded monterey jack…breaded colby jack…breaded pepper jack…bread ALL the cheeses!
Brilliant! I love spicy food so why didn’t this ever occur to me?!