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Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

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5 from 98 reviews

Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks combine the gooey, melty goodness of mozzarella cheese with a spicy, crispy Nashville hot coating. These fried cheese sticks are coated in a flavorful blend of paprika, cayenne pepper, and brown sugar, delivering a perfect balance of heat and sweetness, served best with a cool ranch dressing dip.

Ingredients

Scale

Mozzarella and Breading

  • 1 (16 ounce) block mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 2 teaspoons hot sauce
  • 1 1/3 cups seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 4 tablespoons paprika, divided
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 3 tablespoons cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cups vegetable oil for frying, or more as needed

Dipping Sauce

  • Ranch dressing for dipping

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Mozzarella: Cut the block of mozzarella cheese into evenly sized sticks, approximately 3-4 inches long and about 1/2 inch thick to ensure they hold up well during frying.
  2. Season Flour Mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, half the kosher salt (1/2 tablespoon), and half the black pepper (1/2 teaspoon). Mix well to distribute the seasoning evenly.
  3. Prepare Egg Wash: In another bowl, beat the two large eggs thoroughly and stir in the 2 teaspoons of hot sauce. This adds heat directly into the coating steps, complementing the Nashville hot style.
  4. Mix Breadcrumb Coating: In a separate bowl, combine the seasoned breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, remaining kosher salt (1/2 tablespoon), black pepper (1/2 teaspoon), 2 tablespoons paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and brown sugar. Mix well to ensure the coating is flavorful and balanced between spicy and sweet.
  5. Coat the Mozzarella Sticks: Dredge each mozzarella stick first in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg wash, and finally coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere well.
  6. Double Coating: For an extra crunchy crust, repeat the egg wash and breadcrumb coating steps one more time on each stick.
  7. Chill the Sticks: Place the coated mozzarella sticks on a tray and freeze for at least 30 minutes. Chilling prevents the cheese from melting too quickly during frying, helping them hold their shape.
  8. Prepare the Hot Oil: In a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pan, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to maintain consistent temperature for even frying.
  9. Fry the Sticks: Fry the mozzarella sticks in batches without overcrowding the pan, for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  10. Make Nashville Hot Sauce: In a small saucepan or bowl, gently heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of paprika with additional cayenne pepper and a pinch of salt if needed, mixing with some of the leftover frying oil or melted butter (not specified in ingredients, so use 2 tablespoons vegetable oil from fryer) to create a Nashville hot paste.
  11. Toss the Fried Mozzarella Sticks: Immediately toss the hot, fried mozzarella sticks in the prepared Nashville hot spice mix to coat evenly.
  12. Serve: Serve the Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks hot with ranch dressing on the side for dipping.

Notes

  • Freezing the coated mozzarella sticks before frying is essential to prevent the cheese from oozing out during cooking.
  • Adjust the cayenne pepper quantity to suit your preferred spice level.
  • You can substitute ranch dressing with blue cheese dressing or a cooling yogurt dip for contrast.
  • Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature for perfect crispy crust without greasy sticks.
  • For a dairy-free option, substitute mozzarella with vegan cheese and adjust as needed.

Keywords: Nashville hot mozzarella sticks, spicy fried cheese sticks, appetizer, southern fried snack, crispy mozzarella

Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/nashville-hot-mozzarella-sticks-recipe/