Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) if you plan to bake the sticks after frying. You can also opt for frying them completely if you prefer a crispier texture without baking.
Prepare the Mozzarella Sticks: Place the mozzarella sticks in the freezer for about 30 minutes. This helps them hold their shape better while cooking.
Wrap with Bacon: Take each mozzarella stick from the freezer and wrap a slice of bacon around it, making sure to cover it completely. If needed, secure the ends with toothpicks to keep the bacon in place.
Set Up Breading Station: In three separate bowls, place the flour in one, beaten eggs in the second, and mix the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and cayenne pepper in the third bowl.
Bread the Sticks: Dip each bacon-wrapped mozzarella stick into the flour (shake off excess), then into the beaten eggs, and finally coat them thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture.
Fry the Sticks: In a large skillet, heat about 2 inches of cooking oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add the breaded sticks to the oil, in batches if necessary, and fry until golden brown (about 2-3 minutes per side).
Drain and Bake (Optional): If you want to ensure the cheese is melty and gooey inside, transfer the fried sticks to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes in the preheated oven.
Serve: Remove from the oven or pan and let them cool for a minute. Serve the bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce for dipping.
