Homemade Mozzarella Sticks: Crispy Baked Snack for 24 Servings

Instructions:

1. Prep and Initial Freeze: Cut 12 mozzarella sticks in half to make 24 pieces. Place them on parchment and freeze for 30 minutes. Note: This prevents the cheese from melting instantly in the oven.
2. Station Setup: Set up three bowls. Bowl 1: 0.5 cup flour. Bowl 2: 2 eggs beaten with 1 tbsp water. Bowl 3: 1.5 cups panko, 0.5 cup Italian crumbs, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp oregano, 0.5 tsp smoked paprika, 0.5 tsp sea salt.
3. The First Dredge: Roll a chilled stick in flour, shake off the excess, dip in egg, and then coat in the breadcrumb mix.
4. The Double Coat: Dip the already breaded stick back into the egg wash and then into the breadcrumbs a second time. Coat until no cheese is visible.
5. The Deep Chill: Put the sticks back on the tray and freeze for 2 full hours. Do not skip this step.
6. Oven Prep: Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C) and place a wire rack on a baking sheet.
7. Oil Blast: Arrange the frozen sticks on the rack and spray them generously with avocado or olive oil spray. Spray until they look damp.
8. The Flash Bake: Bake for 8 minutes until mahogany colored and sizzling.
9. The Rest: Let them sit for 60 seconds before touching. This allows the crust to firm up. The double coat is the absolute key to success here. If you only coat them once, the cheese will find a weak spot and leak out within three minutes. That second layer of egg and crumbs acts like a safety net, ensuring the molten cheese stays right where you want it. Best Chicken Parm Recipe with Mozzarella: Baked for 4 Servings — Master the Best Chicken Parm Recipe with Mozzarella for Delicious Flavor with...Homemade Bisquick Mix for Biscuits and Pancakes — Whip up this easy Homemade Bisquick Mix recipe for flaky biscuits & tender pa...Sausage Ball Recipe with Bisquick and Cheddar Cheese - Crispy & Moist — Discover this Sausage Ball Recipe with Bisquick and Cheddar Cheese for perfec... $img_2$