Homemade Mozzarella Bites (Healthy Oven-Baked Recipe) (2024)

Snacks

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These homemade mozzarella bites are hand-breaded and oven-baked, making them the best mozzarella bites you’ve ever had. The centers are warm and gooey while the breading provides the perfect crunch. Each bite is hand dredged in egg wash and a savory breading mix.

Homemade Mozzarella Bites (Healthy Oven-Baked Recipe) (1)

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In my opinion mozzarella bites are better than mozzarella sticks. They’re the perfect size for appetizers, you get more breading with each bite, and they’re easy to dip! Which reminds me, marinara dipping sauce is a must when serving these cheesy treats.

Recipe Inspiration

Do you ever get a hankering for gooey cheese coated in a savory breading? In our house we sure do. Maybe it’s from growing up in the Midwest or living in the south surrounded by comfort food. Either way cheese is a staple for us!

Anyway, that craving started up a few weeks ago while watching a college football game. I scurried over to the fridge, grabbed a few mozzarella sticks, the homemade bread crumbs in our freezer, and started developing this recipe! In my husband’s words, “these are better than store-bought and ones served at restaurants!”

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Reasons You’ll Love Baked Mozzarella Bites

  • Oven baked instead of fried for better health
  • Easy recipe to make in under 20 minutes
  • You can make mozzarella bites ahead of time and store in the freezer for an quick snack
  • Each ingredient is wholesome and no junk is added

Mozzarella Bites Ingredients

  • 5 mozzarella sticks
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 Tbsp water
  • 2/3 cups breadcrumbs (I use homemade sourdough breadcrumbs)
  • 1 Tbsp all-purpose unbleached flour
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How to Make Oven-Baked Mozzarella Bites

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
  2. Cut each mozzarella stick into 1-inch pieces (you should have 25 pieces in total).
  3. In one bowl, mix together the egg and water.
  4. In a separate bowl, combine breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, flour, onion powder, and garlic powder.
  5. Dip each mozzarella piece into the egg wash, then the breadcrumb mixture, back into the egg wash, and finally back into the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat for all 25 pieces.
  6. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the coated mozzarella bites about 2 inches apart.
  7. You can either bake them right away or store them:
    • If baking immediately, place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake the mozzarella bites for 10-12 minutes.
    • To store them, you can refrigerate them on the sheet pan for up to 8 hours or freeze them for up to 3 months. If freezing, first freeze them for 1 hour on the sheet pan, then transfer them to an airtight bag or container for storage.
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What to Serve with Mozzarella Bites

You can serve these homemade mozzarella bites with marinara sauce or ranch for dipping.

Storing Leftover Mozzarella Bites

After baking, allow the mozzarella bites to cool completely. Then, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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Recipe FAQ

  • Can I make these in an air fryer? I don’t have an air fryer but I’m sure it could work.
  • What’s the best breadcrumbs to use? I love using homemade sourdough breadcrumbs.
  • Can I make these ahead of time? Freeze unbaked bites for 1 hour on the sheet pan, then transfer them to an airtight bag or container for storage. They’ll last unbaked in the freezer for 2 months.

Helpful Kitchen Tools for This Recipe

More Appetizer Recipes To Try

  • Simple Sourdough Jalapeno Cheddar Scones (Best Recipe)
  • Best 5 Minute Fall Snack Mix (Sweet, Salty, Smoky)
  • Easy Small Charcuterie Board (made with Wholesome Ingredients)

I love hearing how much you love our recipes, be sure to leave a review below! 😊

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Homemade Mozzarella Bites (Healthy Oven Baked Recipe)

Molly LaFontaine of Plum Branch Home

These homemade mozzarella bites are hand-breaded and oven-baked, making them the best mozzarella bites you've ever had. The centers are warm and gooey while the breading provides the perfect crunch.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 25 bites

Ingredients

  • 5 mozzarella sticks
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 Tbsp water
  • 2/3 cups breadcrumbs (I use homemade sourdough breadcrumbs)
  • 1 Tbsp all-purpose unbleached flour

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F.

  • Cut each mozzarella stick into 1-inch pieces (you should have 25 pieces in total).

  • In one bowl, mix together the egg and water.

  • In a separate bowl, combine breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, flour, onion powder, and garlic powder.

  • Dip each mozzarella piece into the egg wash, then the breadcrumb mixture, back into the egg wash, and finally back into the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat for all 25 pieces.

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the coated mozzarella bites about 2 inches apart.

  • You can either bake them right away or store them: If baking immediately, place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and bake the mozzarella bites for 10-12 minutes.

    Or if you want to store them, you can refrigerate them on the sheet pan for up to 8 hours or freeze them for up to 3 months. If freezing, first freeze them for 1 hour on the sheet pan, then transfer them to an airtight bag or container for storage.

Keyword baked mozzarella bites, homemade mozzarella bites, mozzarella bites, plum branch home mozzarella bites

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Homemade Mozzarella Bites (Healthy Oven-Baked Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to melt mozzarella cheese in the oven? ›

Cook in preheated oven for 7-8 minutes or until mozzarella melts.

Does mozzarella go brown in the oven? ›

Shreds of full fat Mozzarella cheese usually melt, fuse, and form light brown blisters, but fat-free or lower fat Mozzarella cheese shreds have limited melt and fusion and become scorched during pizza baking in commercial food service pizza ovens.

Are mozzarella sticks healthy? ›

Fried cheese sticks are often considered a high-calorie, high-fat food, and they are typically not considered a nutritious choice. However, cheese does contain some important nutrients, including protein, calcium, and vitamin D.

How do you make fresh mozzarella more flavorful? ›

Place fresh mozzarella in brine to cool

Before you can savor your fresh mozzarella, you'll need to let the stretched-out dough cool down. I always do this using a pot of brine (a concentrated mixture of water and salt), adding even more flavor to the finished cheese.

Why is my mozzarella cheese not melting in the oven? ›

Why won't my cheese melt? There are many reasons, but the biggest is the moisture content. The moisture content of the cheese has a great effect on the melting process. Cheese that contains higher amounts of fat will melt better than one that doesn't.

What is the best temperature to melt cheese in the oven? ›

As a rule, cheeses with high moisture levels (60-80%) melt at low temperatures (30° C or 86° F) while cheeses with lower humidity level (30-35%) melt at higher temperatures (70-75° C or 158-167° F). The others will melt at between 40-45° C (104-113° F).

Why is my homemade mozzarella tough? ›

Kneading cheese like bread during the stretching phase will result in too much moisture loss, making cheese tough and chewy.

How long does it take mozzarella to brown in the oven? ›

Place cheese sticks on the prepared baking sheet and coat with additional cooking spray for uniform browning. Broil in the preheated oven until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes.

Can you melt fresh mozzarella in the oven? ›

The best device for doing this will be a grill/broiler, but a toaster oven and a normal oven will also work. All you have to do is slice the mozzarella, place it on the bread, and bake. Place the sandwiches as closely to the upper heating element as possible.

What type of mozzarella is healthiest? ›

Part skim fresh mozzarellas contain less sodium than hard mozzarellas. Mozzarella is packed with minerals and vitamins, low in both fat and sodium.

What is the healthiest mozzarella cheese? ›

1. Part-skim mozzarella cheese. Weinandy says part-skim mozzarella cheese has a lower amount of saturated fat and sodium compared to many other kinds of cheese, with about 2.9 grams of saturated fat and 175 milligrams of sodium in a one-ounce serving.

Can we eat mozzarella cheese during weight loss? ›

Mozzarella – Keystone Farms Cheese Mozzarella is a soft, white cheese made from cow's milk. It's very low in fat, but high in protein. It's good for weight loss, but only if you eat it in moderation.

Is homemade mozzarella worth it? ›

Homemade mozzarella cheese is fresher and more flavorful than the stuff you buy in the store. It requires a few special materials and a bit of patience, but the end result is worth it.

Why is my homemade mozzarella bland? ›

Cheese that is bland or tasteless may have not expelled enough whey during the cooking process, causing the flavor to be diluted.

How long does homemade mozzarella last? ›

With proper storage in a refrigerator, mozzarella cheese can last for up to one to two weeks. In a freezer, mozzarella cheese can last longer, up to approximately three months. If you find any change of shape, color, taste, and aroma of any part of the cheese, cut and throw away that part.

How long does it take cheese to melt in the oven at 350? ›

Generally, at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177 degrees Celsius), it might take around 5-10 minutes for the cheese to melt and achieve a gooey consistency.

How long does cheese take to melt at 375? ›

Preheat oven to 375°. Spread 1 slice of Texas toast with 1 teaspoon softened butter; sprinkle with 1⁄4 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese and 1⁄4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake on a baking sheet until cheese melts and edges begin to brown, 8 to 10 minutes.

How do you melt mozzarella quickly? ›

Use low heat: Mozzarella cheese should be melted over low heat to prevent it from separating into solids and oil. High heat can cause the cheese to burn and become oily. Grate or shred the cheese: Grated or shredded mozzarella cheese will melt more quickly and evenly than sliced cheese.

How do you melt cheese quickly in the oven? ›

Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C) and position the rack in the center of the oven. Spread a layer of shredded cheese evenly over your pizza crust and toppings. Place your pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

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