Mozzarella Sticks

Cut the Cheese

Unwrap and cut each stick in half...

• 1 package (16 oz) mozzarella string cheese

Bread the Sticks

Set up three shallow bowls. In the first, add...

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

In the second, whisk together...

• 2 large eggs
• 1 tbsp water

In the third, stir together...

• 1 1/2 cups seasoned Italian breadcrumbs
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt{tip:We test with Morton kosher salt. Using table salt? Use about 3/4 as much. Diamond Crystal? Use about 1 1/2 times as much.}

Coat each piece in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs, then egg and breadcrumbs again. The double coat keeps the cheese from leaking as it cooks.

Freeze

Arrange the sticks on a baking sheet and freeze 1–2 hours, until firm.

Cook the Sticks

Option: Deep Fry {id:cook.fry}

Golden and gooey in about a minute.

In a large pot, heat to 350°F...

• 4 cups vegetable oil

Fry from frozen, in batches, until golden all around, about 1 minute. Timing is everything: at the first sign of a cheese leak, pull them out.

Option: Air Fry {id:cook.air, cooktime:+5, cal:-25, fat:-3}

Crisp outside, melty inside, no pot of oil.

Heat the air fryer to 390°F. Arrange the frozen sticks in a single layer, not touching, and mist all over with...

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil, in a spray bottle

Air fry 6–7 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden. Pull them at the first sign of a leak. Work in batches.

Serve

Serve hot with...

• 1 cup marinara sauce, warmed