If you love spicy, cheesy goodness with a satisfying crunch, these Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks are going to be your new obsession. Coated in a fiery, crispy breading and fried until golden brown, they bring the heat and gooey cheese pull that’ll have everyone reaching for more. Perfect for game days, parties, or just a spicy snack craving!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- Combines the irresistible crispiness of mozzarella sticks with bold Nashville Hot flavors
- A fun and easy appetizer that packs serious heat
- Perfect for dipping into cool ranch or tangy marinara
- A guaranteed crowd-pleaser with a satisfying cheese pull
Ingredients
You’ll need just a few simple ingredients to whip up these spicy mozzarella sticks. Here’s a sneak peek:
- Mozzarella cheese sticks
- Eggs and milk for coating
- Panko breadcrumbs and flour for crunch
- Nashville Hot seasoning for that signature heat
- Oil for frying
You’ll find the full list of ingredients with measurements below!
Directions
Prepare the Breading Station
Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs and milk, and one with a mix of panko breadcrumbs and Nashville Hot seasoning. This will give the sticks that perfect crispy coating.
Coat the Mozzarella Sticks
Dip each mozzarella stick in flour, then into the egg mixture, and finally into the breadcrumb mixture. For an extra crispy coating, repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps.
Freeze for Best Results
Place the coated sticks on a baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour. This helps prevent the cheese from oozing out when frying.
Heat the Oil
In a deep pan or fryer, heat oil to 350°F. Make sure it’s hot enough to fry quickly and evenly without soaking up too much oil.
Fry Until Golden and Crispy
Carefully drop the frozen mozzarella sticks into the hot oil, frying for about 2-3 minutes or until crispy and golden brown. Work in batches so the oil temperature stays consistent.
Drain and Serve
Remove from oil and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces!
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Double coat for extra crunch – Dip in egg and breadcrumbs twice for the ultimate crispy bite.
- Freeze before frying – Skipping this step will result in melted cheese oozing out too soon.
- Adjust the heat – Add extra cayenne to the seasoning if you love a fiery kick, or tone it down with a little extra panko.
- Keep the oil hot – A thermometer helps maintain the right temperature for perfectly fried sticks.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Make it mild – Skip or reduce the Nashville Hot seasoning for a classic mozzarella stick experience.
- Air fryer method – Spray with cooking oil and air fry at 400°F for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Different cheese – Try pepper jack for an extra spicy twist or cheddar for a melty, sharp contrast.
- Gluten-free option – Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs to make these allergy-friendly.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
These mozzarella sticks pair perfectly with:
- Cool ranch dressing to balance the heat
- Marinara sauce for a tangy contrast
- Honey for a sweet-and-spicy Nashville-style twist
- A cold beer or fizzy soda to wash down the heat
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes to maintain crispiness.
- Avoid the microwave – It’ll make them soggy instead of crispy.
- Freeze before frying if prepping ahead. They can be fried straight from the freezer.
FAQs
Can I bake these instead of frying? Yes! Bake at 425°F for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, but they won’t be as crispy as frying.
How do I keep the breading from falling off? Make sure to press the breadcrumbs firmly onto the sticks and freeze them before frying.
What’s in Nashville Hot seasoning? It’s usually a mix of cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, and salt.
Can I make these ahead of time? Absolutely! Bread the sticks and freeze them until ready to fry. Perfect for prepping before a party.
Conclusion
If you love spicy snacks, these Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks will be a game changer. Crispy, cheesy, and packed with fiery heat, they’re an appetizer you won’t be able to resist. Give them a try, and don’t forget to dip generously!
Print
Fiery Crunch Nashville-Style Hot Mozzarella Sticks
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes (includes freezing time)
- Yield: Serves 6–8 (adjusted to include extra servings) 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American, Southern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Crispy and Spicy Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks take the classic cheesy snack to the next level! Coated in a bold and fiery Nashville hot seasoning, these sticks are ultra-crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and perfect for spice lovers. Serve them with ranch or marinara sauce for an irresistible appetizer!
Ingredients
- 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
- 2 cups vegetable oil for frying, or more as needed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- ranch dressing for dipping
Instructions
- Cut mozzarella cheese into 8 “plank”-shaped pieces, about 1/2-inch thick.
- Whisk flour in a shallow dish with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. In a second shallow dish, add beaten egg and whisk in hot sauce. In a third shallow dish, stir together breadcrumbs and 1 teaspoon paprika. Set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet.
- Coat each piece of cheese in flour and shake off excess. Coat evenly with egg mixture and then place in the breadcrumbs. Coat evenly with breadcrumbs.
- Return cheese to the egg and back into breadcrumbs, lightly pressing to adhere breadcrumbs. Place breaded cheese on the prepared wire rack. Repeat breading process with remaining cheese pieces. Place in freezer for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, pour oil into a deep saucepan to a depth of 3 inches, and heat oil to 365 to 375 degrees F (185 to 190 degrees C). Combine remaining salt, pepper, and paprika with garlic powder, cayenne, and brown sugar in a heatproof bowl; stir until well blended.
- Working a few at a time, carefully lower cheese pieces into hot oil. Fry about 1 minute, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crisp. Drain on wire rack.
- Carefully pour 1 1/4 cups hot oil into the bowl with cayenne mixture and stir until well combined. Coat each cheese stick lightly in seasoned oil and return to wire rack to allow excess to drip off.
- Serve with ranch dressing for dipping.
Notes
- Freezing the mozzarella sticks is crucial to keeping them from melting too quickly while frying.
- Adjust the spice level by reducing or increasing cayenne and hot sauce.
- For an extra crispy texture, use a mix of panko and regular breadcrumbs.
- Can be baked at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes instead of frying, though they won’t be as crispy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 mozzarella sticks
- Calories: 1006
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 57g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 85g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 41g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
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