Name: Baked Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients: Mozzarella Cheese Sticks: 16 ounces, pre-cut sticks for convenience and uniform size, or you can cut a block of mozzarella into sticks. Part-skim or whole milk mozzarella both work well.; All-Purpose Flour: 1/2 cup, used for the first coating to help the egg mixture adhere to the mozzarella sticks.; Eggs: 2 large, beaten, to create a wet coating that helps the breadcrumbs stick and ensures a golden-brown crust.; Italian Breadcrumbs: 2 cups, seasoned breadcrumbs provide flavor and a crispy texture. You can also use plain breadcrumbs and add your own Italian seasoning blend.; Panko Breadcrumbs: 1 cup, Japanese-style breadcrumbs for extra crunch and lightness. The combination of Italian and panko creates the perfect texture.; Dried Italian Seasoning: 1 tablespoon, a blend of herbs like oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme, enhancing the flavor of the breadcrumb coating.; Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon, adds a savory depth of flavor to complement the cheese and herbs.; Salt: 1/2 teaspoon, to season the breadcrumbs and bring out the flavors of all ingredients.; Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon, freshly ground black pepper for a touch of spice and complexity.; Olive Oil Spray: For spraying the baking sheet and the mozzarella sticks, promoting crispiness and preventing sticking without adding excessive oil.; Marinara Sauce: For serving, a classic dipping sauce that complements the cheesy mozzarella sticks perfectly. You can use store-bought or homemade.

Ingredients

Mozzarella Cheese Sticks: 16 ounces, pre-cut sticks for convenience and uniform size, or you can cut a block of mozzarella into sticks. Part-skim or whole milk mozzarella both work well.
All-Purpose Flour: 1/2 cup, used for the first coating to help the egg mixture adhere to the mozzarella sticks.
Eggs: 2 large, beaten, to create a wet coating that helps the breadcrumbs stick and ensures a golden-brown crust.
Italian Breadcrumbs: 2 cups, seasoned breadcrumbs provide flavor and a crispy texture. You can also use plain breadcrumbs and add your own Italian seasoning blend.
Panko Breadcrumbs: 1 cup, Japanese-style breadcrumbs for extra crunch and lightness. The combination of Italian and panko creates the perfect texture.
Dried Italian Seasoning: 1 tablespoon, a blend of herbs like oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme, enhancing the flavor of the breadcrumb coating.
Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon, adds a savory depth of flavor to complement the cheese and herbs.
Salt: 1/2 teaspoon, to season the breadcrumbs and bring out the flavors of all ingredients.
Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon, freshly ground black pepper for a touch of spice and complexity.
Olive Oil Spray: For spraying the baking sheet and the mozzarella sticks, promoting crispiness and preventing sticking without adding excessive oil.
Marinara Sauce: For serving, a classic dipping sauce that complements the cheesy mozzarella sticks perfectly. You can use store-bought or homemade.

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Instructions

Prepare the Breading Station: Set up three shallow dishes for breading. In the first dish, place the all-purpose flour. In the second dish, whisk the eggs until well combined. In the third dish, combine the Italian breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, dried Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed. This organized setup will streamline the breading process.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking. Lightly spray the parchment paper with olive oil spray to further ensure the mozzarella sticks don’t stick and to encourage browning on the bottom.
Breading the Mozzarella Sticks – Flour Coating: Take one mozzarella stick at a time and dredge it completely in the all-purpose flour. Make sure all sides are coated, and gently shake off any excess flour. The flour acts as a base for the egg wash to adhere properly.
Breading the Mozzarella Sticks – Egg Wash: Dip the floured mozzarella stick into the beaten eggs, ensuring it is fully coated. Let any excess egg drip off before moving to the next breading stage. The egg wash provides moisture and helps the breadcrumbs stick to the flour coating.
Breading the Mozzarella Sticks – Breadcrumb Coating: Transfer the egg-coated mozzarella stick to the breadcrumb mixture. Press the breadcrumbs firmly onto all sides of the mozzarella stick, ensuring it is completely covered. A generous and even breadcrumb coating is key to achieving crispy baked mozzarella sticks. Repeat the breading process (flour, egg, breadcrumbs) for each mozzarella stick. For an extra crispy coating, you can double bread them by repeating the egg and breadcrumb steps one more time.
Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the breaded mozzarella sticks on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Leave a little space between each stick to allow for even baking and browning.
Spray with Olive Oil: Lightly spray the tops of the breaded mozzarella sticks with olive oil spray. This will help them become golden brown and crispy in the oven, mimicking the effect of frying without the excess oil.
Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Keep a close eye on them, as baking times can vary slightly depending on your oven. You want them golden brown but not so long that the cheese melts out completely.
Rest Before Serving: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the mozzarella sticks rest for a minute or two before serving. This allows the cheese to slightly firm up, preventing it from being too runny when you bite into them.
Serve Immediately: Serve the baked mozzarella sticks immediately while they are hot, crispy, and the cheese is perfectly melted and gooey. Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 250
Fat: 12g