Heart Healthy
These finger-licking, oven-baked morsels are crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside. One bite and you'll be convinced they're as delicious as the deep-fried version.
Print Recipe
Baked Mozzarella Cheese Bites with Easy Marinara Sauce
-
Total Time
15
-
Servings
6
-
Serving Size:
4 cheese bites
Ingredients
Baked Mozzarella Cheese Bites
-
-
2 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch -
1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs -
2 large egg whites -
2 tablespoons water -
1/4 teaspoon pepper -
6 mozzarella string cheese sticks
Easy Marinara Sauce
-
-
2 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning -
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Directions
Tip: Click on step to mark as complete.
Baked Mozzarella Cheese Bites
-
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray. -
Put the cornstarch in a gallon-size resealable plastic bag. Put the panko in a second gallon-size resealable plastic bag. In a shallow dish, whisk together the egg whites, water, and pepper. -
Add eight cheese pieces to the bag with the cornstarch, shaking to coat well. Dip the cheese pieces in the egg mixture, coating well. Transfer the cheese to the bag with the panko, shaking the bag until each cheese piece is well coated. Transfer to the baking sheet. Working in two batches, repeat with the remaining cheese. -
Bake for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. -
Serve with the marinara sauce for dipping.
Easy Marinara Sauce
-
In a medium saucepan, over medium-high heat, cook the tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and pepper for 5 minutes, or until heated through, stirring frequently. -
Simmer, covered, until ready to serve with the cheese bites.
Cooking Tip: For best results on keeping a bread coating on a moist food, such as the panko on the string cheese in this recipe, first dip it in cornstarch. The cornstarch acts as a "glue" to help the coating stick better to the food.
Keep it Healthy: Remember this easy-to-make marinara sauce, which is a simple combination of crushed tomatoes and spices, for your next pasta dinner. It most likely will have more flavor and less sodium and added sugar than a jarred marinara sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
Protein
FiberNutrition Facts
| Calories | 104 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | 2.5 g | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.5 g | |
| Trans Fat | 0.0 g | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | |
| Cholesterol | 10 mg | |
| Sodium | 240 mg | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 14 g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g | |
| Sugars | 3 g | |
| Protein | 11 g | |
Dietary Exchanges
1 starch, 1 lean meat
-
Total Time
15
-
Servings
6
-
Serving Size:
4 cheese bites
Ingredients
Baked Mozzarella Cheese Bites
-
-
2 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch -
1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs -
2 large egg whites -
2 tablespoons water -
1/4 teaspoon pepper -
6 mozzarella string cheese sticks
Easy Marinara Sauce
-
-
2 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning -
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Directions
Tip: Click on step to mark as complete.
Baked Mozzarella Cheese Bites
-
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Lightly spray the foil with cooking spray. -
Put the cornstarch in a gallon-size resealable plastic bag. Put the panko in a second gallon-size resealable plastic bag. In a shallow dish, whisk together the egg whites, water, and pepper. -
Add eight cheese pieces to the bag with the cornstarch, shaking to coat well. Dip the cheese pieces in the egg mixture, coating well. Transfer the cheese to the bag with the panko, shaking the bag until each cheese piece is well coated. Transfer to the baking sheet. Working in two batches, repeat with the remaining cheese. -
Bake for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. -
Serve with the marinara sauce for dipping.
Easy Marinara Sauce
-
In a medium saucepan, over medium-high heat, cook the tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and pepper for 5 minutes, or until heated through, stirring frequently. -
Simmer, covered, until ready to serve with the cheese bites.
Cooking Tip: For best results on keeping a bread coating on a moist food, such as the panko on the string cheese in this recipe, first dip it in cornstarch. The cornstarch acts as a "glue" to help the coating stick better to the food.
Keep it Healthy: Remember this easy-to-make marinara sauce, which is a simple combination of crushed tomatoes and spices, for your next pasta dinner. It most likely will have more flavor and less sodium and added sugar than a jarred marinara sauce.
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