Crispy Baked Mozzarella Sticks (Printable View)
Golden crispy coating with warm melty cheese inside—perfect appetizer or snack
# Ingredient List:
→ Cheese
01 - 14 oz low-moisture mozzarella cheese sticks (about 20 sticks)
→ Breading
02 - 2 large eggs
03 - 1/4 cup milk
04 - 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
05 - 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
06 - 1/2 cup fine dry Italian breadcrumbs
07 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
08 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1/2 tsp dried basil
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ For Baking
12 - Olive oil spray
# How to Prepare:
01 - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice mozzarella cheese into stick shapes if not pre-cut. Arrange sticks in a single layer on the baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour until very firm.
02 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Place a wire rack on a second baking sheet and lightly coat with olive oil spray.
03 - Set up three shallow bowls: Bowl 1 with flour, Bowl 2 with whisked eggs and milk, Bowl 3 with panko, Italian breadcrumbs, garlic powder, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper mixed together.
04 - Working quickly with a few sticks at a time, coat each frozen mozzarella stick in flour (shake off excess), dip in egg mixture, then roll in breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere. For extra crunch, repeat egg and breadcrumb coating once more.
05 - Arrange breaded sticks on the prepared rack, spacing them apart. Generously spray the tops with olive oil spray.
06 - Bake for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway and spraying the other side, until golden and crisp. Watch closely to prevent cheese from oozing out.
07 - Let cool for 2 minutes before serving with warm marinara sauce.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- You get that satisfying fried food crunch without dealing with hot oil splatters or a greasy kitchen
- The double coating technique creates that restaurant style exterior that stays crispy even after baking
02 -
- Skip the freezing step and the cheese will ooze out before the coating gets crispy
- Working with just a few sticks at a time prevents the cheese from softening before you can bread them
03 -
- Double coating is not optional if you want that genuine mozzarella stick experience
- Freeze time is non negotiable for holding the shape through baking