Oven-Fried Cheese Sticks

I love bar food.  I try to stay away from it, for obvious reasons, but sometimes you just need some greasy fried goodness.  I try to find ways to satisfy those cravings whenever possible.

This is based of a recipe I used to make, with one small tweak to make it even more healthy!  I used to use Cornflake crumbs as a breading for the cheese sticks.  However, Uncle Sam Original Brand Toasted Whole Wheat Flake Cereal makes these even healthier and even adds some nutritious flax seeds!

The S/C Value for two cheese sticks is 0/1.  This determination is assuming that you use the full amount of the coating on the cheese sticks (which I never do).

Oven-Fried Cheese Sticks
(serves 4)
1 1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 c. whole wheat white flour (I used King Arthur Brand)
2 egg whites, beaten
Tbsp. water
1 c. of Uncle Sam wheat flake cereal, crushed into fine crumbs
1 8 ounce package of mozzarella string cheese (8 sticks)

Combine garlic salt, oregano, and the crushed wheat flakes.  Set aside.

Mix egg whites and water together.

Coat each string cheese with a thin layer of the flour.  Dip floured string cheese in the egg mixture, then roll in the wheat flake mixture.  Make sure the string cheese is completely coated with flour, egg, and the wheat flakes to avoid the cheese sticks melting out of the breading while baking.

Refrigerate the cheese stick for about 30 minutes (This also helps keep the cheese sticks from oozing.) 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Cover a cookie sheet in foil and spray or coat the foil with a thin layer of oil.  Bake the cheese sticks on the pan for about 7-8 minutes, or until melted and golden. 

Serve with low sugar pizza sauce and enjoy while hot!