Ingredients
Method
Cut each mozzarella string cheese stick in half to create 16 pieces. Place them on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for at least 30 minutes.
Place the flour in one shallow bowl. In a second bowl, whisk together the eggs and water.
In a third bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
Dip each frozen mozzarella piece into the flour, coating it completely.
Dip the floured cheese into the egg wash, then coat it thoroughly with the seasoned breadcrumb mixture.
Repeat the egg wash and breadcrumb coating for a second layer. Make sure the ends and sides are completely covered.
Place the breaded mozzarella sticks back on the tray and freeze for another 30–60 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Arrange the frozen mozzarella sticks in a single layer with space between each piece. Lightly spray with cooking spray or brush with a little olive oil.
Bake for 7–10 minutes, turning once if needed, until the coating is golden and crisp.
Remove from the oven as soon as the coating is browned and serve immediately with warm marinara sauce.
Notes
- Freezing the mozzarella before breading is important for helping the cheese stay contained during baking.
- Double coating provides a thicker crust and helps prevent gaps.
- Keep the mozzarella sticks frozen until they are ready to go into the oven.
- Watch them carefully during the final minutes because overbaking can cause the cheese to leak.
- Serve immediately for the best crispy texture and cheese pull.For extra crispy sticks: Use panko breadcrumbs and press them firmly onto the cheese.
