These Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks are the perfect combination of crispy, gooey cheese and spicy, bold flavor. Coated in a crunchy breadcrumb exterior and drenched in a spicy Nashville hot sauce, these mozzarella sticks are sure to add some heat to your snack game!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Spicy & Flavorful – Nashville hot seasoning adds a kick to every bite.
- Crispy & Cheesy – Perfectly fried for a gooey interior and crunchy exterior.
- Great for Parties – A fun, shareable appetizer that’ll impress your guests.
- Easy to Make – Ready in just 20 minutes!
Ingredients for Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks
For the Mozzarella Sticks:
- 12 mozzarella sticks – Frozen for easy handling.
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour – For dredging.
- 2 large eggs – Beaten, for coating.
- 1 cup breadcrumbs – Panko breadcrumbs work best for crunch.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder – For extra flavor in the coating.
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder – A savory touch to balance the heat.
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika – Adds a mild smoky flavor.
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper – For a touch of extra heat.
- Vegetable oil – For frying.
For the Nashville Hot Sauce:
- 1/4 cup hot sauce – Choose your favorite, preferably a tangy, medium heat sauce.
- 2 tablespoons melted butter – For richness.
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar – To balance out the heat.
- 1 teaspoon paprika – Adds smokiness to the sauce.
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper – For that signature Nashville heat.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder – For added depth of flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper – To season the sauce.
Tools You’ll Need
- Skillet or deep fryer – For frying the mozzarella sticks.
- Three shallow bowls – For the breading station.
- Tongs – For handling the sticks.
- Paper towels – For draining excess oil.
How to Make Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks
Step 1: Prepare the Mozzarella Sticks
Take the mozzarella sticks out of the freezer and let them sit for a couple of minutes. This will help prevent them from bursting while frying.
Step 2: Bread the Mozzarella Sticks
Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls:
- In the first bowl, add the flour.
- In the second bowl, beat the eggs.
- In the third bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of salt.
Dredge each mozzarella stick in the flour, dip it in the egg, then coat it in the seasoned breadcrumbs. Repeat the process for each stick.
Step 3: Fry the Mozzarella Sticks
Heat oil in a skillet or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). Carefully add the breaded mozzarella sticks to the hot oil in batches, frying them for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Use tongs to remove them from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 4: Make the Nashville Hot Sauce
In a small bowl, combine hot sauce, melted butter, brown sugar, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir until smooth and well combined.
Step 5: Coat the Mozzarella Sticks in Sauce
Once the mozzarella sticks are fried, drizzle or dip them into the Nashville hot sauce, coating them generously.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy
Serve your spicy, crispy mozzarella sticks with your favorite dipping sauce, like ranch or blue cheese dressing, and enjoy the heat!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with pickles on the side for a cool, crunchy contrast.
- Pair with a cold beer or lemonade to balance the heat.
- Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley or cilantro for a pop of color.
Tips for the Best Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks
- Freeze the mozzarella sticks for at least 30 minutes before breading and frying to prevent the cheese from melting out during frying.
- Double coat the mozzarella sticks for an extra crispy crust.
- Adjust the heat: If you prefer less heat, reduce the cayenne pepper in both the breading and the sauce.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate: Store leftover mozzarella sticks in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes for the best crispiness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I bake these instead of frying?
A: Yes! To bake, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C), place the breaded mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet, and bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
Q2: Can I use fresh mozzarella?
A: Yes! Just slice the mozzarella into sticks and freeze them before breading and frying to keep them from oozing out.
Q3: What’s the best dipping sauce for Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks?
A: Ranch or blue cheese dressing are great choices to cool off the heat from the Nashville hot sauce.
Conclusion: Bold, Spicy, and Addictive!
These Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks are the ultimate snack for those who love bold, spicy flavors. Crispy on the outside, melty on the inside, and coated in a fiery Nashville hot sauce—what’s not to love?
Did you make this recipe? Share your photos and tag us on social media!
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Cuisine: American
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 300
- Protein: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fat: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
Enjoy every spicy, cheesy bite!
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Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Description
These Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks are the perfect combination of crispy, gooey cheese and spicy, bold flavor. Coated in a crunchy breadcrumb exterior and drenched in a spicy Nashville hot sauce, these mozzarella sticks are sure to add some heat to your snack game!
Ingredients
For the Mozzarella Sticks:
- 12 mozzarella sticks – Frozen for easy handling.
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour – For dredging.
- 2 large eggs – Beaten, for coating.
- 1 cup breadcrumbs – Panko breadcrumbs work best for crunch.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder – For extra flavor in the coating.
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder – A savory touch to balance the heat.
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika – Adds a mild smoky flavor.
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper – For a touch of extra heat.
- Vegetable oil – For frying.
For the Nashville Hot Sauce:
- 1/4 cup hot sauce – Choose your favorite, preferably a tangy, medium heat sauce.
- 2 tablespoons melted butter – For richness.
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar – To balance out the heat.
- 1 teaspoon paprika – Adds smokiness to the sauce.
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper – For that signature Nashville heat.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder – For added depth of flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper – To season the sauce.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Mozzarella Sticks
Take the mozzarella sticks out of the freezer and let them sit for a couple of minutes. This will help prevent them from bursting while frying.
Step 2: Bread the Mozzarella Sticks
Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls:
- In the first bowl, add the flour.
- In the second bowl, beat the eggs.
- In the third bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of salt.
Dredge each mozzarella stick in the flour, dip it in the egg, then coat it in the seasoned breadcrumbs. Repeat the process for each stick.
Step 3: Fry the Mozzarella Sticks
Heat oil in a skillet or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). Carefully add the breaded mozzarella sticks to the hot oil in batches, frying them for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Use tongs to remove them from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 4: Make the Nashville Hot Sauce
In a small bowl, combine hot sauce, melted butter, brown sugar, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir until smooth and well combined.
Step 5: Coat the Mozzarella Sticks in Sauce
Once the mozzarella sticks are fried, drizzle or dip them into the Nashville hot sauce, coating them generously.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy
Serve your spicy, crispy mozzarella sticks with your favorite dipping sauce, like ranch or blue cheese dressing, and enjoy the heat!
Notes
- Freeze the mozzarella sticks for at least 30 minutes before breading and frying to prevent the cheese from melting out during frying.
- Double coat the mozzarella sticks for an extra crispy crust.
- Adjust the heat: If you prefer less heat, reduce the cayenne pepper in both the breading and the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Cuisine: American
