Protein-Packed Mozzarella Sticks
Protein-Packed Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken, lean
- 1 tablespoon seasoning blend, such as Italian seasoning or garlic powder with onion powder
- 5 part-skim mozzarella cheese sticks
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce, for serving, warmed
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400
- 2
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken and seasoning blend. Mix thoroughly with your hands until the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the meat.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
Take approximately 3 to 4 ounces (about 1/5 of the total mixture) of the seasoned ground chicken and flatten it into a thin, rectangular shape on a clean surface or in your palm. The rectangle should be large enough to fully wrap around one mozzarella cheese stick.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Place one mozzarella cheese stick onto the flattened ground chicken. Carefully and tightly form the ground chicken around the cheese stick, ensuring the cheese is completely enclosed and no gaps are visible. Roll it gently to create a uniform log shape.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Place the grated Parmesan cheese in a shallow dish. Roll the meat-covered cheese stick in the Parmesan cheese, pressing gently to ensure it is fully coated on all sides.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
Place the coated mozzarella stick on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat steps 3-5 for the remaining mozzarella cheese sticks and ground chicken mixture.
⏱️ 4 min
- 7
Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or air fry for 15-18 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the exterior is golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 400
- 8
Carefully remove the mozzarella sticks from the oven or air fryer. Let them cool for a minute or two before serving.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Serve hot, optionally with warm marinara sauce for dipping.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Protein-Packed Mozzarella Sticks
- 1 pound ground chicken, lean
- 1 tablespoon seasoning blend, such as Italian seasoning or garlic powder with onion powder
- 5 part-skim mozzarella cheese sticks
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce, for serving, warmed
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400 - 2
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken and seasoning blend. Mix thoroughly with your hands until the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the meat.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
Take approximately 3 to 4 ounces (about 1/5 of the total mixture) of the seasoned ground chicken and flatten it into a thin, rectangular shape on a clean surface or in your palm. The rectangle should be large enough to fully wrap around one mozzarella cheese stick.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Place one mozzarella cheese stick onto the flattened ground chicken. Carefully and tightly form the ground chicken around the cheese stick, ensuring the cheese is completely enclosed and no gaps are visible. Roll it gently to create a uniform log shape.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Place the grated Parmesan cheese in a shallow dish. Roll the meat-covered cheese stick in the Parmesan cheese, pressing gently to ensure it is fully coated on all sides.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
Place the coated mozzarella stick on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat steps 3-5 for the remaining mozzarella cheese sticks and ground chicken mixture.
⏱️ 4 min - 7
Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or air fry for 15-18 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the exterior is golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 400 - 8
Carefully remove the mozzarella sticks from the oven or air fryer. Let them cool for a minute or two before serving.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Serve hot, optionally with warm marinara sauce for dipping.