Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. This high temperature is key for achieving crispy sticks. While the oven heats up, prepare a large baking sheet by coating it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
In a large bowl, combine the whole wheat panko, Italian herbs, kosher salt, and garlic powder. Mixing these dry ingredients together will ensure that the flavors are evenly distributed throughout the breadcrumbs.
In another bowl, whisk the two large eggs until they are well combined. This step is crucial as the eggs will help the breadcrumb mixture adhere to the asparagus.
In a separate bowl, place the flour. This will serve as the first step in your assembly line. Having three bowls set up will make the dipping process seamless.
Now, it’s time to make an assembly line with the bowls. Take each piece of asparagus and first dip it into the flour, coating it evenly. Make sure to shake off any excess flour, as this will help the egg mixture stick better.
Next, dip the floured asparagus into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s well coated. The egg acts as a glue for the breadcrumb coating, so don’t skip this step!
Finally, roll the coated asparagus in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere well. Repeat this process for all the asparagus sticks.
Once all the asparagus is coated, arrange them on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure they are not touching, as this will help them crisp up nicely in the oven.
Lightly spray the coated asparagus with cooking spray. This will promote browning and crunchiness as they bake.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown. The smell wafting through your kitchen will be absolutely delightful!
Serve your Italian Asparagus Sticks warm, accompanied by marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy the crispy texture and burst of flavor!
