Baked Mozzarella Balls



Mozzarella sticks have long been one of my favorite appetizers.  In fact, on one of my very first dates in high school, I was too nervous to choose a meal, so all I ordered was a basket of mozzarella sticks.  Really.

While I still love those mozzarella sticks at a restaurant…ooey…gooey…crispy!  Ah!   I just simply can’t bring myself to fry them at home.  Something about actually seeing and smelling all of that oil gives me the heeby jeebies.

So of course, it then came time to bake some!  And oh my gosh!  These were so delicious!  They’d be super fab on their own, but paired with marinara or tomato soup they are Ah-mazing!


Recipe Notes:
*Beware of the time on these!  You must freeze the cheese overnight for this recipe to be a success!


Baked Mozzarella Balls
Recipe from Peas & Crayons

8 oz mozzarella cheese, cut in chunks
¼ cup flour
1-2 egg whites, whisked
¼ cup panko bread crumbs
½ tsp Italian seasoning (or a dash each basil, oregano, marjoram, & garlic powder)

Place the mozzarella chunks, spaced apart on a baking sheet.  Freeze for 1-2 hours, then move to a freezer bag and continue freezing overnight.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and place a cooling rack on top of a baking sheet (the mozzarella chunks should still be in the freezer at this time).

Set three small, shallow bowls, side by side, next to the prepared baking sheet.  In the first bowl, place the flour.  Egg whites in the second bowl, and panko crumbs and Italian seasoning combined in the third.

Take the mozzarella chunks from the freezer.  Working quickly, dunk each chunk into the flour, followed by the egg white (let the excess drip off) and lastly into the panko mixture.  Place each coated cube onto the prepared baking sheet (on top of the cooling rack).  Once the mozzarella balls are all coated, place the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 8-12 minutes or until the mozzarella balls are browned and the cheese is melted.

Serve as an appetizer or atop a delicious bowl of tomato soup.


Comments

  1. these look amazing, I love your pictures. Love for you to link up this recipe on my new recipe hop Friday Food Frenzy http://www.stayingclosetohome.com/2012/09/friday-food-frenzy-hop-week-1.html

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  2. Crunchy mozzarella balls that aren't fried in a pot of oil? oh, yeah. Thanks for the recipe. Putting ingreds on my shopping list NOW!

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  3. Love this healthier, un-fried version! The bf would love these!

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  4. These look very good...I will be giving these a try and hope they turn out like yours! Saw your sponsor button at This Gal Cooks...new follower too and inviting you to stop by and see me some time too. Have a great weekend

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  5. These look just perfect - I love mozarella sticks :D

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  6. These look wonderful! We all love mozzarella sticks here and I cringe at the fried badness in the restaurant ones... Can't wait to try!

    ~Melissa
    www.mywatermelonmoon.com
    I love visitors! Come by and see me some time!
    I'm trying to get 100 followers before the end of the month, hope you decide to join me too!

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  7. What a fabulous idea! This is a definite crowd pleaser. Yum! Going on my next party food list...

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  8. Those look so much better than the frozen/processed ones!

    I would love it if you would share this with my readers at Mealtime Monday!

    Kaylee
    www.couponingncooking.com

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  9. yum, these look amazing! thanks for sharing

    www.thegloriarecord.blogspot.com

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  10. These look so good. I came from White Lights on Wednesdays. I have a link party on Wednesdays, and I would love it if you would link this and any other posts. It is called Wednesdays Adorned From Above Link Party. It runs from Wednesday to Sundays.
    http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/09/reeses-smore-brownies-and-wednesdays.html
    I hope to see you there. I am your newest follower on Pinterest and GFC, and I would love for your to follow me also. Have a great Day.
    Debi Bolocofsky
    Adorned From Above
    www.adornedfromabove.com

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  11. Ooh yum! Thanks for the note about freezing the cheese, I totally want to try these for next time we make tomato soup! Thanks for sharing at The Fun In Functional :-)

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  12. I sooo want some of these right now!
    Thanks for sharing with my Super Link Party! :-)

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  13. Just wanted to let you know I featured this on my blog today! You can check it and grab a Featured button here: http://practicallyfunctional.net/2012/09/the-fun-in-functional-link-party-17/

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  14. I have listed your posting as one of my featured links for this week on my Friday Favorite Blog Links

    http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2012/09/caramel-apple-martinis-for-fridays.html

    Visit my blog to grab your featured blogger button.

    Sincerely,
    Debi Bolocofsky
    www.adornedfromabove.com

    ReplyDelete

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