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
Scale
- 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