Baked Quinoa Cheese Sticks

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If you are a frequent reader of this blog, then you know that I love making lightened up versions of my favorite appetizers and snacks.  Throughout the years, I have found that most any snack can be made better at home if you use the right ingredients, and if you use the right cooking methods.

I made a lighter version of a fried cheese stick.   Instead of frying this cheese stick, I baked it.  Instead of breadcrumbs, I used quinoa flakes.  And instead of using a traditional mozzarella cheese stick, I used Weight Watchers® snacking cheese.

Weight Watchers has a whole line of snacks that are delicious and come in the right portion size for anyone who is trying to maintain their weight.   They have a lot of really good recipe ideas on their website.   I purchased Weight Watchers snacking cheese at Walmart.   This cheese can be found in the cheese aisle, which is located around the perimeter of the store.   I usually find quinoa flakes in the organic hot cereal section of any food store.

Wal-Mart is hosting demos in their stores using Weight Watchers products between 10/29- 11-1.  You can visit your store during the afternoons to see if you can try a Weight Watchers product.  Check out the store list for details.

I decided to make Quinoa Cheese Sticks with all three flavors offered.  I couldn’t decide on a flavor.

Baked Quinoa Cheese Sticks  ( Yields 12 cheese sticks) – Serves 6

Weight Watchers Points = 3 if you use the mozzarella or the jalapeno cheese.  4 if you use the cheddar

Ingredients 

6 Weight Watchers cheese sticks

1 cup of quinoa flakes.  Other flakes can also be used.  Buckwheat flakes, oats, gluten-free oats, flaxseed. etc.

1 egg

Optional – Seasoning of your choosing

Method:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees f.   Cut each cheese stick in 1/2.  soak each cheese stick in the egg, followed by coating each cheese stick in the quinoa flakes.  place the cheese sticks on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.  remove from heat.  Serve with a marinara sauce if desired.

These cheese sticks turned out melty, cheesy and crispy.  My husband and 2 kids both loved them.   Don’t forget to check out more fun recipes using Weight Watchers products on their website.  To see if your local Wal-Mart store is hosting a demo using Weight Watchers products, check out the store list.