Breaded Cheese Bites

Breaded Cheese Bites

 

I think one of the most popular appetizers my crew orders when we’re out to eat are cheese sticks. Even a few fast food chains are carrying them through the drive-thru! They’re fried cheese, so it’s hard to say no…except when you think about the fact they are deep fried. So I came up with a recipe for baked breaded cheese bites instead (using string cheese no less) and since they get crunchy, no one misses the fact they aren’t fried.

Breaded Cheese Bites

Ingredients:

• 1 pack String Mozzarella Sticks (or any type block cheese you desire)
• 1/2 cup of flour
• 2 Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Salt
• 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
• 1 cup Seasoned or Regular Panko Bread Crumbs

Directions:
Cut your cheese sticks or blocks into bite size pieces. Store in the freezer for at least an hour

Setting up the assembly requires 3 bowls.

• Whisk eggs in a bowl
• Combine flour, garlic salt and Italian seasoning and place into another dish
• Pour Bread Crumbs into a third dish

Step 1:
Roll the cheese bites in the flour mixture

Step 2:
Roll the cheese bites in the egg wash

Step 3:
Roll the cheese bites in the bread crumbs – pressing to really coat well

Step 4:
Place coated cheese bites on a foil lined baking sheet

Step 5:
Back for 8-10 minutes at 400 degrees – watch at end so they don’t melt completely

Notes:

• I like to spray the foil with nonstick spray to keep cheese bites from sticking
• I also lightly spray the breaded bites with nonstick spray to help them brown up
• If you have little ones helping – place bread crumbs in large baggie. Drop in flour/egg dipped cheese bites and let the little helpers shake and press the bag.

These bad boys are HOT! Give them a little while to cool off before removing the skin from the inside on your mouth!