Mozzarella cheese sticks

• Prepare the breading station: Place the flour, beaten eggs, and bread crumbs in three separate shallow bowls.
• Cut the mozzarella cheese sticks in half, creating smaller sticks.
• Take one mozzarella stick and coat it in flour, making sure to shake off any excess.
• Dip the flour-coated cheese stick into the beaten eggs, ensuring it is fully coated.
• Roll the cheese stick in the bread crumbs, making sure it is evenly coated. Gently press the bread crumbs onto the cheese to ensure they adhere well.
• Repeat steps 3 to 5 for the remaining cheese sticks.
• Place the breaded mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them for about 20-30 minutes. This will help them hold their shape during frying.
• In a deep pot or fryer, heat vegetable oil to around 350F.
• Carefully drop a few mozzarella sticks into the hot oil. Cook them for about 2-3 minutes until they turn golden brown and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pot to ensure even frying.
• Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the cooked mozzarella sticks from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
• Repeat steps 9 and 10 for the remaining mozzarella sticks.
• Serve the mozzarella sticks hot with marinara sauce for dipping.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR AN AIR FRYER

• To make mozzarella sticks in an air fryer to reduce fat, follow these simple steps:
• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. for about 5 minutes.
• While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the mozzarella sticks by cutting them into smaller pieces if desired.
• In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs to create an egg wash.
• In another shallow bowl, place bread crumbs or panko breadcrumbs for coating the mozzarella sticks.
• Take each mozzarella stick and dip it into the egg wash, ensuring it is fully coated.
• Roll the egg-coated mozzarella stick in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks well.
• Place the breaded mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to allow proper airflow and even cooking.
• Cook the mozzarella sticks in the air fryer for approximately 6-8 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy. You may need to flip them halfway through cooking for even browning.
• Remove the cooked mozzarella sticks from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes.
• Serve the mozzarella sticks with your favorite dipping sauce like marinara, ranch, or sour cream.