Trader Joe’s Frozen Breaded Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, are the pinnacle of gourmet snacking for those who’ve decided that both their time and culinary standards are worth about as much as a forgotten penny in a parking lot. In an era where convenience trumps quality, these cheese sticks stand as a monument to our collective culinary apathy, promising a taste of Italy with all the authenticity of a tourist in Rome wearing socks with sandals. One must marvel at the audacity of packaging mozzarella in such an unremarkable breaded sarcophagus, daring to suggest that mere minutes in a toaster oven could lead to a gastronomic revelation.
Trader Joe’s Breaded Mozzarella Cheese Sticks are a super popular snack that you can find in the frozen section. They’re like little golden treasures waiting to be discovered and devoured. Making them is super easy, and it’s a fun snack you can whip up in no time. My kids absolutely love them although their healthfulness is questionable but cheese and breading, not too bad.
Here’s what you gotta do: Take them out of the freezer, pop them in the oven or toaster oven at 425 degrees for about 8 to 10 minutes, and bam! You’ve got yourself some hot, crispy cheese sticks with melty mozzarella inside. Just make sure to let them cool for a minute or two before diving in, so you don’t burn your tongue. Even better, pop them in the air fryer at 390 for about 10 minutes.
The most popular way to eat these is with a piping hot bowl of marinara. I suggest one of the several tomato sauces that Trader Joe’s sells, like their plain marinara.
Now, if you think Trader Joe’s Mozzarella Sticks are just for dipping in marinara sauce, think again! Here are five cool ways to jazz them up:
- Cheesy Salad Croutons: Chop them up once they’re cooled and toss them into your salad for a cheesy, crunchy twist.
- Pizza Topping: Slice them and scatter them over your pizza before baking for extra cheesy goodness.
- Mozzarella Stick Grilled Cheese: Use them inside your sandwich for a melty, gooey grilled cheese like no other.
- Breakfast Bonanza: Chop them up and mix into scrambled eggs or an omelet for a cheesy, protein-packed breakfast.
- Party Kabobs: Skewer them with cherry tomatoes and basil leaves, drizzle with balsamic glaze, and you’ve got fancy appetizers ready to go.
So, what’s the verdict on these cheesy delights? Well, I’d give Trader Joe’s Breaded Mozzarella Cheese Sticks a solid 7 out of 10 stars. They’re super tasty, and incredibly easy to prepare, and you can do a lot more with them than just eat them straight out of the oven (though that’s pretty great too). They might not be the fanciest snack out there, but they’re definitely a hit for a quick bite or when you’re hanging out with friends. Plus, experimenting with the different ways to use them can be a lot of fun!
At the end of the day, they are just cheese and some breading that is deep fried. Are they as good as a restaurant? No, but are they good for watching the the sports game with friends? Yes, they are perfectly acceptable!
