Description
Spice up your snack game with Fiery Crunch Nashville-Style Hot Mozzarella Sticks! These crispy, gooey cheese sticks are coated in a bold, spicy Nashville hot seasoning, making them the perfect indulgent appetizer or game-day treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 mozzarella cheese sticks
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 tbsp hot sauce
- Vegetable oil for frying
For Nashville Hot Sauce:
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions
- Prepare the Dredging Stations: In a shallow bowl, mix flour with salt and black pepper. In a second bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, and hot sauce. In a third bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs with paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Coat the Mozzarella Sticks: Dredge each mozzarella stick in flour, then dip in egg mixture, and roll in seasoned breadcrumbs. Repeat egg and breadcrumb steps for a double coating.
- Freeze the Mozzarella Sticks: Arrange coated sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 1 hour.
- Heat the Oil: In a deep skillet, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the Mozzarella Sticks: Fry in batches for 1-2 minutes until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Make the Nashville Hot Sauce: Melt butter in a saucepan, then stir in brown sugar, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and honey until smooth.
- Coat the Mozzarella Sticks: Brush or toss fried sticks in Nashville hot sauce.
- Serve Immediately: Pair with ranch dressing, blue cheese dip, or a cooling sauce.
Notes
- Mild Version: Reduce cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes.
- Extra Crispy: Use crushed cornflakes instead of panko.
- Oven-Baked Option: Bake at 425°F (218°C) for 10-12 minutes.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Freeze Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Nashville hot mozzarella sticks, spicy cheese sticks, fried mozzarella sticks, game-day appetizers, Nashville hot sauce recipe