Baked Mozzarella Balls (Better Than Store-Bought!)
I love serving my baked mozzarella balls with a side of homemade marinara sauce while my husband and I watch football on the weekends! They’re made with fresh mozzarella and hand-breaded with wholesome ingredients. They not only taste better than store-bought freezer aisle mozzarella bites, but they’re better for you! I hope my recipe replaces the pre-made options in your home like it has in ours!
This post may contain affiliate links of items I know and love. Read our disclosure policy for more information. I NEVER use AI (artificial intelligence) to create content for Plum Branch Home. Recipes, blog posts, photos, videos, podcasts, social media content: everything is made from scratch by me, Molly LaFontaine. After developing my recipes, they’re tested 2x by my husband, Tyler, and I before publishing. What you see from Plum Branch Home is real. It’s made for a reason, tested, and loved!
If you’re looking for the perfect football-watching snack or party appetizer, these mozzarella balls are a great option. They’re simple to whip up and easy to make ahead if needed. I love having a batch chilling in the freezer so that when we’re ready to snack, all I have to do is pop them in the oven!
Inspiration Behind My Baked Mozzarella Balls Recipe
Last year, my husband and I were getting hungry while watching our favorite football team, so I looked through the fridge for something to make. We’re more of an ingredient house than a snack item house, so I was looking for something good to whip up.
We had mozzarella cheese sitting in the fridge, and I found a jar of homemade sourdough breadcrumbs in the freezer. So I quickly breaded them and popped them in the oven (later realizing I needed to freeze them first – haha!).
In my husband’s words, “These are better than store-bought and ones served at restaurants!”. After he said that, I knew I needed to develop the recipe and get it on the blog to share with you. I hope you love them as much as we do!
Why We Love This Recipe and Think You Will Too
- Oven Baked Instead of Fried: They’re so much better for you than the fried, frozen kind in the grocery store.
- Easy to Make: The steps are simple, even for beginners.
- Great for Making Ahead: You can make them ahead of time, store in the freezer, then bake when you’re ready to enjoy!
- Wholesome Ingredients: With fresh mozzarella and just a few breading ingredients, you’re eliminating seed oils and additives found in pre-made versions.
My Tips for Making Baked Mozzarella Cheese Balls at Home
- Read this recipe all the way through before beginning. That way, you know what to expect.
- While breading, make sure the bites are fully coated in each step before moving on to the next.
- Don’t skip the 1 hour of freezing. This helps the cheese not gush out while baking.
- Begin watching the mozzarella balls after 15 minutes in the oven to ensure they don’t burst.
Best Mozzarella To Use
You can use any type of mozzarella you desire, but I highly recommend the Belgioioso mini mozzarella balls. They’re a wholesome option without lots of additives, and they taste delicious!
Best Breadcrumbs to Use
I always use and recommend homemade breadcrumbs for a wholesome option. I make mine with sourdough bread, but you can use any.
Ingredients You’ll Need (with notes and substitutions)
Note: Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for measurements.
- all-purpose flour: I like to use organic, unbleached but you can use any
- breadcrumbs: I use homemade sourdough breadcrumbs but you can use any
- sea salt: I like to use this for a more wholesome option
- ground black pepper: this adds such a good flavor
- garlic powder: make sure it’s no salt added
- onion powder: make sure it’s no salt added
- egg: a large egg works best
- fresh mini mozzarella balls: I like to use Belgioioso mini mozzarella balls or you can cut up low-moisture mozzarella sticks
Helpful Kitchen Tools for this Recipe
This section contains Amazon affiliate links to items I use and love for this recipe.
How to Make Baked Mozzarella Balls
Note: Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for the full written recipe.
Set an oven-safe wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet pan and grease it with butter or avocado oil. Set aside for now.
Grab 3 shallow bowls, in the 1st bowl add flour. In the 2nd bowl, add egg and whisk until no whites are left. In the 3rd bowl, add and mix together breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Dredge each ball by dipping one at a time in flour, then egg, and finally breadcrumbs so it’s completely coated each time. Make sure to shake excess off after each step. Place breaded mozzarella on the greased wire rack over the baking sheet.
Repeat until all mozzarella balls are breaded. Ensure they’re 1-2 inches apart on wire rack.
Place pan of breaded mozzarella in freezer for 1 hour before baking. This ensures they don’t burst. Don’t skip this step!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Once preheated, bake for 16-18 minutes until crunchy. At 15 minutes begin to watch them so they don’t burst.
Sprinkle with sea salt immediately after baking and enjoy! If desired serve with homemade marinara sauce.
How to Make Mozzarella Bites Ahead of Time
Freeze unbaked bites for 1 hour on the sheet pan, then transfer them to an airtight bag or container for storage. They’ll last unbaked in the freezer for 2-3 months.
My Favorite Way to Serve Mozzarella Bites
I love serving a plate of them with with homemade marinara sauce. It’s the perfect combo. My husband and I like mixing it up between warm and cold marinara. They’re both good! You could also serve them with ranch dressing for dipping.
How to Store Leftovers
After baking, allow the mozzarella bites to cool completely. Then, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
My Favorite Way to Reheat Mozzarella Bites
The best way to reheat these bites, in my opinion, is in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until warm!
Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t have an air fryer, so I’ve never tried it, but you’re more than welcome to.
I love using homemade sourdough breadcrumbs but you can use any you desire.
Yes! Freeze unbaked bites for 1 hour on the sheet pan, then transfer them to an airtight bag or container for storage. They’ll last unbaked in the freezer for 2-3 months.
It depends what’s added in, but it can be the same if it’s a plain spaghetti sauce. You can definitely use it if you desire.
More Snack Recipes To Try
If you’re looking for more made from scratch snacks, try a few of these:
- Oven Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip
- American Flag Taco Dip (Made From Scratch)
- Homemade Jalapeno Cheese Dip (Inspired by Fritos)
- My Rotel Dip Recipe (Without Velveeta!)
- Sweet and Salty Fall Snack Mix (no candy or cereal!)
- Easy Garlic Parmesan Popcorn From Scratch
- Easy Soft Sourdough Pretzels (Better Than Auntie Anne’s)
- Sourdough Jalapeno Popper Scones
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Recipe
Baked Mozzarella Balls (Better Than Store-Bought!)
Ingredients
- 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cups breadcrumbs (I use homemade sourdough breadcrumbs)
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (no salt added)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder (no salt added)
- 1 egg
- 24 fresh mini mozzarella balls
Instructions
- Set an oven-safe wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet pan and grease it with butter or avocado oil. Set aside for now.
- Grab 3 shallow bowls, in the 1st bowl add flour. In the 2nd bowl, add egg and whisk until no whites are left. In the 3rd bowl, add and mix together breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Dredge each ball by dipping one at a time in flour, then egg, and finally breadcrumbs so it’s completely coated each time. Make sure to shake excess off after each step. Place breaded mozzarella on the greased wire rack over the baking sheet.
- Repeat until all mozzarella balls are breaded. Ensure they’re 1-2 inches apart on wire rack.
- Place pan of breaded mozzarella in freezer for 1 hour before baking. This ensures they don’t burst. Don’t skip this step!
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Once preheated, bake for 16-18 minutes until crunchy. At 15 minutes begin to watch them so they don't burst.
- Sprinkle with sea salt immediately after baking and enjoy! If desired serve with homemade marinara sauce.