• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

PREP THE CHEESE:

• Slice each string cheese stick in half crosswise so you have 32 pieces of cheese total.

PREP COATING 1:

• Pour flour into a pie dish or shallow bowl.

PREP COATING 2:

• Add eggs to a second pie dish or shallow bowl and beat with a fork.

PREP COATING 3:

• Add bread crumbs, salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic powder to a food processor and pulse mixture until finely ground.
• Pour the bread crumbs mixture into a third pie dish or shallow bowl.

COAT THE CHEESE:

• Add a piece of cheese to the flour and turn to coat. Then, add the cheese to the egg and turn to coat.
• Next, add the cheese to the breadcrumbs and turn to coat. Finally, place the coated cheese stick to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining cheese sticks.

FREEZE CHEESE STICKS:

• Pop the cheese sticks into the freezer and freeze for 2 hours or overnight.

FRYING INSTRUCTIONS:

• Line a baking sheet with 3 layers of paper towels and set aside.
• Add oil to a large pot and heat over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 400 degrees F.
• Add a few cheese sticks to the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
• Move the cheese sticks to the paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain.
• Repeat the frying with the remaining mozzarella cheese sticks. Garnish mozzarella sticks with minced parsley, optional. Serve with warmed marinara sauce.

BAKING INSTRUCTIONS:

• Move the oven rack to the lower-middle position and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack right in the pan right on top of the foil. Spray the rack with nonstick cooking spray.
• Place the mozzarella cheese sticks right on top of the wire rack set inside a baking sheet. Spray the tops of the cheese sticks with nonstick cooking spray or brush with olive oil.
• Bake for 7-8 minutes, or until the cheese sticks are golden brown. Cool for 3 minutes and then garnish with minced parsley, optional. Serve with warmed marinara sauce.