Crispy Baked Mozzarella Bites with Marinara Sauce
 
Ingredients
Marinara Sauce
  • 1 cup crushed (canned) Italian tomatoes with garlic, oregano & basil
  • 1 clove garlic (finely chopped)
  • 1 tbsp fresh chopped basil leaves
  • ½ tbsp Italian dry seasoning
  • ½ tbsp olive oil
  • 2 pinches salt
  • Fresh cracked pepper to taste
Mozzarella Bites
  • Frozen low fat mozzarella string cheese (8 sticks, cut into 1 inch pieces) *See note
  • ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 eggs (well beaten)
  • ½ tbsp paprika
  • Canola oil cooking spray
Instructions
Marinara Sauce
  1. In small saucepan add olive oil on medium low heat
  2. Add garlic and Italian seasoning,
  3. As soon as garlic begins to get tender (don’t burn the garlic), add tomatoes and stir
  4. Add sea salt, pepper and basil
  5. Simmer on low for 5 minutes.
  6. Serve alongside mozzarella bites
Mozzarella Bites
  1. Turn on oven broiler.
  2. Start with frozen mozzarella pieces. Only remove cheese from the freezer once you are ready to prepare the recipe
  3. In small batches, coat cheese in flour, dusting off excess and set aside
  4. Add paprika to panko and mix well
  5. Dip cheese in eggs and then roll or shake cheese in panko/paprika mix
  6. Place on greased cookie sheet
  7. Lightly spray breaded mozzarella pieces with canola oil, holding at least 6-8 inches away
  8. Bake for 3-5 minutes until brown and cheese just starts to melt
  9. Serve with homemade (recipe above) or favorite store bought marinara sauce
Recipe by 5 Minutes for Mom at http://www.5minutesformom.com/83090/crispy-baked-mozzarella-bites-with-marinara-sauce/