Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. If you have a wire cooling rack, place it on top of the parchment paper for even crispier results.

Remove the string cheese from the refrigerator and cut each stick in half crosswise to create 24 shorter pieces. This size is perfect for appetizer portions and helps prevent cheese from leaking during baking. Pro tip: Keep the cheese cold until breading - this helps maintain shape during baking.

Set up three shallow bowls for your breading station. In the first bowl, place the flour. In the second bowl, beat the eggs until smooth. In the third bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, regular breadcrumbs, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt.

Mix the breadcrumb mixture thoroughly to ensure even seasoning distribution. The combination of panko and regular breadcrumbs creates the perfect texture for these homemade mozzarella sticks. Pro tip: Use a fork to mix so the breadcrumbs don't clump together.

Working with one piece at a time, roll each mozzarella stick in flour, coating all sides and shaking off excess. Next, dip in beaten egg, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, roll in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to help coating adhere. Pro tip: Use one hand for wet ingredients and one for dry to prevent buildup on your fingers.

Place the breaded cheese sticks on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece. For extra insurance against cheese leakage, you can double-bread by repeating the egg and breadcrumb steps. Pro tip: Chill breaded sticks for 30 minutes before baking for even better results.

Lightly spray or brush the breaded mozzarella sticks with olive oil. This step is crucial for achieving that golden, crispy exterior that makes these oven baked cheese sticks so irresistible.

Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the coating is golden brown and crispy. Watch carefully during the last few minutes to prevent over-baking, which can cause cheese to leak out. Pro tip: If you see any cheese starting to leak, remove from oven immediately - they're done!

While the mozzarella sticks are baking, warm the marinara sauce in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and fresh basil. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until fragrant. Pro tip: Make the sauce your own by adjusting seasonings to taste.

Remove the baked mozzarella sticks from the oven and let them rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This brief cooling period helps prevent the cheese from being molten hot while maintaining the perfect texture. Pro tip: Serve immediately while still warm for the best cheese pull effect.