“Unfried” Baked Mozzarella Sticks

“This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Weight Watchers, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #WWMarket  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV”

“Unfried” Baked Mozzarella Sticks – crunchy & gooey cheesy goodness without the guilt.  Plus a healthy Greek yogurt ranch dip.  Yay for healthy snacks! 

I have a confession to make.  I am a fried food fanatic.  Fresh cut fries, onion rings, fried pickles, fried mushrooms, fried seafood – and of course fried mozzarella sticks.  Oh, how I love them all.

I know better though.  I don’t each much of it besides the occasional county fair when I go buck wild on the deep fried goodies.

I’ve learned to enjoy some healthier alternatives to curb my fried food fixation.  Fresh cut oven roasted french fries & sweet potato fries are in regular rotation in my house.  For all the other fried goodies, I bread and bake them for the crunch without the fat & cholesterol.

Fried Mozzarella Sticks are one of my all time favorites and luckily one of the easiest fried foods to make “unfried” at home.  Roll the cheese sticks in some panko, give them a little freezer time and throw them in the oven.  Crunchy, cheesy gooey goodness.

Guess what…?  I made this snack even healthier with Weight Watchers Light String Cheese.  With half the fat and 25% less calories of regular string cheese I can enjoy this lightened up snack and feel even better about eating it.  Want to spice it up a little bit?  Then throw Weight Watchers Jalapeno Flavored String Cheese into the mix.  Think jalapeno popper mozzarella sticks.  Yummmm.

Know what every fried or oven baked snack needs?  Something to dip that crunchy goodness into.  Marinara sauce with mozzarella sticks – that’s a given.  Ranch dip – you better believe it.  I’m a ranch dressing enthusiast but I’m not so enthusiastic about all the fat & calories that are in a serving of it.  I’ve improvised with a Greek yogurt ranch dip.  Stir a few herbs & spices in a cup of yogurt and you got yourself a ranch dip loaded with flavor and protein and fabulously low in calories & fat.

I hope you enjoy this “Unfried” Baked Mozzarella Stick.  I love food and I’m not into cutting favorite foods out of my diet.  It’s great to have healthier options so we can enjoy the snacks we love more often.  Thanks for stopping by!

-Amanda-

I found these awesome Weight Watchers products and everything else I needed to create this healthy snacking recipe at my local Giant Food Stores.

Stop by your local Giant Food Stores between 9/1/16 – 9/28/16 and when you buy any (5) FIVE participating Weight Watchers products (excluding Heinz SmartOnes & Meeting Room Products) you’ll Save $3.00 instantly while supplies last!

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

"Unfried" Baked Mozzarella Sticks

Crunchy & delicious baked Mozzarella Sticks.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time12 mins

Total Time22 mins

Course: Appetizer

Servings: 1 dozen

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

• 6 Weight Watchers Light String Cheese Regular or Jalapeno
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup panko
• 1 teaspoon flour
• 1/4 teaspoon parsley
• garlic powder a pinch
• salt a pinch
• olive oil for spritzing

Instructions

• Cut sticks of string cheese in half. Set aside.
• Crack egg in a small bowl, beat.
• In a separate bowl combine panko, flour, parsley, garlic powder & salt.
• Dip a piece of string cheese into egg, then into panko. Press panko onto all surfaces & ends of cheese.
• Place breaded cheese stick onto wax paper lined plate and repeat with remaining pieces.
• Freeze breaded cheese sticks for at least half an hour. These can be made days ahead of time and kept covered in the freezer.
• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and spritz with olive oil.
• Place breaded cheese sticks on cookie sheet. Spritz tops with olive oil.
• Bake until tops are light golden brown - about 8-12 minutes.

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip

Love ranch dressing but don't love all the junk in it? Try this Greek yogurt ranch dip - loaded with flavor and protein and light on the calories & fat. A healthy dip!

Prep Time5 mins

Total Time5 mins

Servings: 2 -4 servings

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

• 1 Greek nonfat yogurt cup 5.3 oz
• 1/4 teaspoon parsley flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon dried chives
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• pinch dill
• pinch pepper

Instructions

• Combine all herbs and spices with Greek yogurt.
• Refrigerate for at least half an hour before serving - allowing flavors to blend.
• Get to dipping & enjoy 🙂