Step 1: Prepare Your Breading Station

Set up three shallow bowls or plates on your counter in assembly-line fashion. In the first bowl, place the flour. In the second bowl, whisk together the eggs and water until smooth and well-combined. In the third bowl, combine the Italian breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly so all seasonings are evenly distributed.

Step 2: Cut Cheese if Needed

If using string cheese, unwrap each stick and set aside. If using a block of mozzarella, cut it into sticks about 3-4 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. Try to keep them uniform in size so they cook evenly. Pat the cheese sticks dry with paper towels to remove any surface moisture—this helps the breading stick better.

Step 3: Bread the Mozzarella Sticks (First Coat)

Working with one cheese stick at a time, roll it in the flour, coating all sides and shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the egg mixture, turning to coat completely and letting excess drip off. Finally, roll it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the crumbs adhere to all sides. Place the breaded stick on a clean plate or baking sheet.

Step 4: Double Bread for Extra Crispiness

Here’s the secret to ultra-crispy, leak-proof mozzarella sticks: bread them twice! After all sticks have their first coating, repeat the process. Dip each stick back into the egg mixture, then roll again in the breadcrumb mixture. This double coating creates a thicker barrier that prevents cheese from leaking out during baking and provides extra crunch. Make sure the cheese is completely covered with no gaps in the coating.

Step 5: Freeze the Breaded Sticks

This step is absolutely critical and cannot be skipped! Arrange the double-breaded mozzarella sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer, not touching each other. Place the entire baking sheet in the freezer for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. This freezing step firms up the cheese so it doesn’t melt out of the coating during baking. If you’re short on time, 30 minutes is the minimum; longer is even better.

Step 6: Preheat Your Oven

About 10 minutes before you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). This high temperature is essential for getting crispy breadcrumbs before the cheese melts completely. If using a wire rack on your baking sheet, place it now and spray generously with cooking spray. Otherwise, line a fresh baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.

Step 7: Prepare Sticks for Baking

Remove the frozen mozzarella sticks from the freezer. Arrange them on your prepared baking sheet (or wire rack) in a single layer with space between each one. Spray the tops and sides of the mozzarella sticks generously with cooking spray, or brush lightly with olive oil. This fat is crucial for achieving golden, crispy breadcrumbs.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the baking sheet on the middle rack of your preheated oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes, watching carefully. The mozzarella sticks are done when the coating is golden brown and crispy, and you just start to see tiny bits of cheese beginning to ooze out. Don’t overbake, or you’ll lose all the cheese! Every oven is different, so start checking at 8 minutes. If using a wire rack, the sticks may cook slightly faster due to air circulation underneath.

Step 9: Serve Immediately

Remove from the oven and let the mozzarella sticks rest for 1-2 minutes (this allows the cheese to set slightly so it doesn’t completely run out when you bite into them). Transfer to a serving platter. Serve immediately with warm marinara sauce for dipping. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.