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Ingredients
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Cheese
Breading station
Coating & frying
Serving
Method
Cheese prep
- 1
Prepare sticks
If using a block of mozzarella, cut into 5 equal-sized sticks roughly 3/4–1 inch thick and 3–4 inches long. Pat each stick dry with paper towel to remove excess moisture; this helps the coating adhere and prevents early cheese leakage.
Breading station
- 2
Set up three bowls
Place the 3 tablespoons flour in a shallow bowl. In a second shallow bowl, whisk the 2 eggs with 2 tablespoons milk until smooth. In a third bowl, combine 1 cup plain breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup panko (if using), 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; mix thoroughly.
- 3
Dust and coat
Lightly dust each mozzarella stick with the additional 1/2 tablespoon flour (this extra dusting helps the egg adhere). Then dip each stick into the flour bowl, shaking off excess. Next, immerse into the egg mixture, letting excess drip off. Finally press each stick firmly into the breadcrumb mixture so crumbs adhere well; roll to coat all sides. For best results and to reduce cheese leakage when frying, place the coated sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment and freeze for 20–30 minutes (recommended).
Frying
- 4
Heat oil
Pour about 2–3 cups vegetable oil into a heavy-bottomed skillet or saucepan to reach 1 to 1.5 inches depth. Heat over medium-high to reach 350°F (175°C). If you don't have a thermometer, test by dropping a small piece of bread: it should brown in about 30–45 seconds.
- 5
Fry in batches
Remove up to 2–3 chilled mozzarella sticks from the freezer at a time. Carefully lower them into the hot oil using tongs; do not overcrowd the pan. Fry for 45–60 seconds, turning once, until the coating is golden brown. Do not exceed about 60 seconds per side—longer will cause excessive cheese seepage. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer finished sticks to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- 6
Finish
If coating seems pale, you can fry an additional 10–15 seconds, watching closely so cheese does not leak. Keep finished sticks warm in a 200°F (95°C) oven on a wire rack for up to 10–15 minutes while frying remaining batches.
Serving
- 7
Serve the mozzarella sticks hot with 1/2 cup warmed marinara sauce for dipping. Note: these are best eaten immediately to enjoy the hot, gooey cheese interior.