Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients

• 1 cup gluten-free flour or finely ground white rice flour ((4 ounces; 113 grams))
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup dried gluten-free bread crumbs ((4 ounces; 113 grams))
• 12 pieces string cheese
• Vegetable Oil or cooking spray

Instructions

1. 1

   Set up breading station.: Line up three plates on your counter. On first plate, whisk together gluten-free flour, dried basil, black pepper, garlic powder, and, salt. On second plate, whisk the eggs until smooth. On third plate, place bread crumbs.

2. 2

   Coat in gluten-free flour.: Cut cheese sticks in half. Roll string cheese in gluten-free flour. You don’t want any bare spots on the cheese stick. Be sure to coat ends of cheese stick with flour.

3. 3

   Coat with egg and bread crumbs.: Roll the cheese stick in egg, coating thoroughly. Return cheese stick to the gluten-free and coat again. Return to egg and coat thoroughly. Finally, roll coated sticks in bread crumbs. Place coated stick on a baking pan or large dish. Repeat until all sticks are coated. Chill cheese sticks for 15 minutes.

4. 4

   Fry cheese sticks.: To fry in a pan: Heat ½-inch of oil in an 8-inch frying pan until hot. It should be hot enough that if you sprinkle gluten-free bread crumbs in the oil, they sizzle. Remove cheese sticks from refrigerator. Place six cheese sticks into the pan. Fry for 30 seconds. Using a heat-proof spatula, roll sticks in oil to turn. Fry an additional 30 seconds or until the sticks are golden brown. If any cheese begins to leak, remove sticks from oil. Repeat with remaining cheese sticks.

5. 5

   Air fry sticks.: To air fry: Preheat air fryer to 350℉ for three minutes. Lightly spray gluten-free mozzarella sticks with nonstick cooking spray. Place them in the basket or tray of the air fryer. Cook for three minutes. Turn the sticks and cook for an additional minute or two.

6. 6

   Serve.: Serve warm with dipping sauce. Store the leftover sticks covered in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in air fryer or toaster oven until warm.