1-Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper to avoid any sticking issues. This step sets the stage for even cooking and makes cleanup a breeze.

2-Set up breading bowls: Next, set up three shallow bowls for the breading process: one with the 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, another with the 1 large egg and 1 large egg white beaten together with 1 tablespoon water, and the last with a mix of the ⅔ cup Italian-seasoned whole wheat breadcrumbs, ⅓ cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Arrange them in a line to make dipping easy.

3-Bread the cheese sticks: Working with 2 to 3 frozen cheese sticks at a time, dredge them in the flour and shake off the excess. Then, dip each one into the egg mixture before coating thoroughly with the breadcrumb blend, patting lightly to help it stick. Place the coated sticks on the baking sheet and repeat until all are done.

4-Freeze and bake: After breading, freeze the sticks for at least 2 hours to keep the cheese from melting too fast during baking. When you’re ready, arrange the frozen sticks on a foil-lined sheet sprayed with olive oil, spacing them about 3/4 inch apart, and lightly coat the tops with more oil. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes until golden, then let them stand for 3 minutes before serving with marinara sauce or ranch dressing.