A few weeks ago, I was adding in the thyme and oregano to my favorite homemade mozzarella sticks when it suddenly occurred to me — why are cheese sticks always made with Italian seasonings? Mexican food includes mozzarella all the time. Why not give this cheese stick recipe a try…Mexi-style?!?

So I did.

And I’m pretty sure that if you should too.

These turned out SO well!!! For the Mexi twist, I added in chili powder, cumin, oregano and a pinch of cayenne in place of the traditional Italian seasonings. And then when baked with Panko, I love that they were super crispy but not fried. (So hey, you can enjoy them all the more!)  Finally, in place of marinara, I subbed in some of my favorite salsa. A match made in foodie heaven.

Can’t wait to try these again soon!

Baked Mexican Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

5 from 1 vote
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Makes: 24 mini cheese sticks
Mozzarella cheese sticks go “Mexican” in this easy, delicious and lighter recipe!

Ingredients

  • 12 sticks part-skim mozzarella string cheese
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
  • 2 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 tsp. cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
  • 1/4 tsp. oregano
  • cooking spray (I used olive oil in my Misto)

Instructions

  • Begin by unwrapping each piece of string cheese, and then cutting them all in half. Place evenly on a plate and freeze until frozen, at least 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil, and spray lightly with olive oil.
  • Set up your prep line for the cheese sticks. Fill the first bowl with the flour. Fill the second bowl with the beaten egg. Then fill the third bowl with the panko, chili powder, cumin, garlic salt and oregano, and whisk those five ingredients together until evenly mixed.
  • Remove the frozen pieces of string cheese, and one by one dunk each first in the flour mixture until evenly coated, then the egg, then carefully roll in the panko mixture. Be sure that all sides of the cheese are coated in breadcrumbs, then gently place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining breadcrumbs.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and just begins to seep out. Remove and serve immediately with your favorite salsa.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
Did you make this?Let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

About Ali

Hi, I'm Ali Martin! I created this site in 2009 to celebrate good food and gathering around the table. I live in Kansas City with my husband and two young boys and love creating simple, reliable, delicious recipes that anyone can make!

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41 Comments

  1. sally @ sallys baking addiction says:

    Not sure how you manage to make breaded cheese look INSANELY gorgeous but you did. Geez Ali. you are so talented. And now I want a cheese stick with my coffee!!!

  2. marla says:

    These cheese sticks look out of this world great!

  3. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says:

    Yum, what a great appetizer!

  4. Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says:

    This is the best idea for a mozzarella stick I think I have ever seen!!

  5. LIz Stevens says:

    Yum! Don’t show Tanner these! He will have a new addiction :)

  6. summer says:

    Yummy, yummy YUMMY!!!! 8D

    xo
    summer

  7. Cassie | Bake Your Day says:

    Y.E.S. Why have I never thought of this! Perfect!

  8. Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says:

    I am so gonna try these out! Love me some cheese :)

  9. Riley says:

    Mexican food and cheese – two of my favorite things!

  10. Jen @ Jen's Favorite Cookies says:

    These look delicious! I’ll take mozzarella in basically any form. I’ve considered injecting it, so I can get my fix even faster.