Description
These Baked Cheddar Cheese Sticks are a delightful appetizer featuring crispy panko and parmesan coated cheddar sticks that are baked to golden perfection. Perfectly seasoned with garlic, oregano, and parsley, they provide a crunchy outside with gooey melted cheese inside. They’re an easy, crowd-pleasing snack or party finger food that’s oven-baked for a healthier twist on traditional fried cheese sticks.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Sticks
- 12 cheddar cheese strings or sticks
Coating
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- Prepare Cheese Sticks: Take each cheddar cheese string and cut it in half to create 24 shorter sticks. Set them aside to use for coating.
- Prepare Breading Stations: Prepare three shallow bowls: in the first, whisk together flour, salt, and black pepper; in the second, place the beaten eggs; and in the third, mix panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried parsley.
- Bread the Cheese Sticks: Working with one halved cheese stick at a time, first dredge it in the flour mixture to coat evenly, then dip it fully in the beaten eggs, and finally roll it in the breadcrumb mixture until completely covered. Repeat this process for all pieces.
- Freeze Breaded Sticks: Arrange the coated cheese sticks evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet to prevent sticking. Place the sheet in the freezer and allow the sticks to freeze for at least 2 hours until they are completely solid. This step prevents the cheese from melting too quickly during baking.
- Preheat and Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and position the rack in the lower third of the oven. Bake the frozen cheese sticks for 8 to 10 minutes until the coating is golden and crispy. Watch closely to prevent the cheese from oozing out excessively.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve hot with your choice of marinara sauce, pizza sauce, ranch dressing, or any preferred dipping sauce for a delicious appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Freezing the breaded cheese sticks is essential to prevent cheese leakage during baking.
- Keep a close eye while baking as cheese sticks can quickly go from perfectly crispy to melted oozing cheese.
- Use parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- These cheese sticks are best enjoyed immediately after baking for maximum crispiness.
- You can experiment with different herbs or spices in the breadcrumb mixture to customize flavor.
- Use low-moisture cheddar cheese sticks for best melting consistency.
