Sizzling Fiery Crunch Nashville-Style Hot Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

Crispy mozzarella sticks with a fiery crunch Nashville-style kick will make your taste buds dance with excitement.

Flames of spicy seasoning coat each golden-brown morsel, promising an explosion of flavor.

Nashville’s bold culinary spirit infuses these cheesy delights with an unmatched zest.

Melted cheese oozes from a perfectly crunchy exterior, creating a texture that begs to be savored.

Passionate home cooks can easily recreate this restaurant-quality appetizer with simple ingredients.

Cheese lovers and spice enthusiasts unite – this recipe will become your new go-to snack for every gathering.

Let the heat and crunch transport you to flavor paradise.

What’s Spicy and Fun About Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks

• Speedy Satisfaction: Whip up these Nashville-style mozzarella sticks in under an hour, perfect for quick snack cravings or last-minute appetizer needs.
• Flavor Explosion: Packed with fiery cayenne, paprika, and hot sauce, these mozzarella sticks deliver a punch of spicy flavor that will excite taste buds and leave you wanting more.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Crispy exterior meets gooey cheese interior, making this recipe a guaranteed hit for game nights, parties, or casual family dinners that everyone will love.
• Customizable Heat: Easily adjust the spice level by reducing or increasing cayenne and hot sauce, allowing you to tailor the recipe to different heat tolerances while maintaining maximum deliciousness.

Hot Mozzarella Sticks Nashville-Style Ingredients

• Mozzarella Cheese: Classic stretchy cheese perfect for creating crispy, melty appetizer with rich flavor, best when firm and cold.

• All-Purpose Flour: Primary dry coating that helps egg mixture and breadcrumbs stick to cheese.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Season coating layers with subtle background flavor.
• Eggs: Binding agent that helps breadcrumbs adhere to cheese surface.
• Hot Sauce: Adds initial spicy kick and moisture to egg coating.

• Breadcrumbs: Creates crispy exterior with golden brown texture, plain or seasoned varieties work well.
• Paprika: Adds warm color and mild pepper taste to breading.

• Garlic Powder: Provides deep savory undertone to hot oil mixture.
• Cayenne Pepper: Delivers intense heat and signature Nashville-style spiciness.
• Brown Sugar: Balances heat with subtle sweetness in hot oil coating.
• Vegetable Oil: High-temperature cooking medium for deep frying.

• Ranch Dressing: Cool, creamy dipping sauce that complements spicy hot cheese sticks.

Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks Crisping Steps

Step 1: Slice Mozzarella

Cut cheese into 8 rectangular planks with a sharp knife, ensuring each piece is uniform and about half-inch thick.

Step 2: Prepare Breading Stations

• First dish: Flour seasoned with salt and pepper
• Second dish: Beaten egg mixed with hot sauce
• Third dish: Breadcrumbs combined with paprika

Set up a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet nearby.

Step 3: First Coating Round

• Dust with flour, shaking off excess
• Dunk thoroughly in egg mixture
• Roll completely in seasoned breadcrumbs

Step 4: Double Coating Technique

• Return coated cheese to egg mixture
• Coat again in breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure even coverage

Place breaded cheese on wire rack and freeze for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Prepare Spicy Oil Mixture

• Salt
• Pepper
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Cayenne
• Brown sugar

Step 6: Fry Cheese Sticks

• Carefully lower cheese pieces into hot oil
• Fry approximately 1 minute
• Rotate occasionally for even golden color
• Drain on wire rack

Step 7: Spice Coating

• Stir thoroughly
• Lightly coat each fried cheese stick
• Allow excess oil to drip off

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Plate with ranch dressing for dipping and savor the fiery crunch!

Hot Mozzarella Sticks Fiery Crunch Notes

• Chilling the breaded mozzarella sticks in the freezer helps the breading stick better and prevents cheese from melting too quickly during frying.
• Maintain oil between 365-375°F for perfectly crispy exterior without burning the breading or overcooking the cheese.
• Dipping cheese sticks twice in egg and breadcrumbs creates a thicker, crunchier coating that holds up during frying.
• Adjust cayenne and hot sauce quantities to customize heat intensity according to your spice tolerance.
• Using a wire rack allows excess oil to drip off, keeping mozzarella sticks crispy and preventing sogginess.

Nashville Mozzarella Sticks That Reheat Like New

• Place leftover mozzarella sticks in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Wrap each mozzarella stick individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month to maintain best quality and crispiness.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even heating and restore crunchiness.
• Set air fryer to 375°F. Cook mozzarella sticks for 3-4 minutes, shaking basket halfway through to help them crisp up evenly without becoming soggy.

What to Serve With Hot Mozzarella Sticks

• Spice-Matching Beverage Pairing: Cold, crisp beer like an India Pale Ale (IPA) cuts through the fiery heat while complementing the rich mozzarella's creaminess, creating a perfect flavor balance.
• Cool Dipping Companion: Creamy ranch dressing provides a tangy, cooling counterpoint to the intense spiciness, softening the Nashville-style hot kick and adding refreshing texture.
• Flavor-Balancing Side Kick: Sweet pickles or quick-pickled vegetables offer a zesty, acidic crunch that neutralizes the spice and provides a palate-cleansing element between bites of hot mozzarella sticks.
• Heat-Taming Refreshment: Sparkling lemonade with a hint of mint delivers a citrusy, refreshing contrast that helps cool down the intense cayenne-infused coating while enhancing the overall eating experience.

Easy Mix-Ups for Nashville Mozzarella Sticks

• Gluten-Free Mozzarella Sticks: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs. Use cornstarch as a coating alternative for crispy texture.
• Vegan Cheese Version: Swap mozzarella with plant-based cheese alternatives like vegan mozzarella or firm tofu. Use nutritional yeast and ground flaxseed in breading for extra flavor.
• Low-Carb Nashville Hot Sticks: Substitute breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds or almond meal. Use a low-carb hot sauce and replace brown sugar with erythritol for keto-friendly option.
• Baked Lighter Option: Skip deep-frying and bake mozzarella sticks at 425°F for 10-12 minutes. Spray with olive oil cooking spray for golden exterior and reduced oil content.

FAQs

• Why are Nashville-style hot mozzarella sticks different from regular mozzarella sticks?

Nashville-style hot mozzarella sticks feature a spicy cayenne-based coating that gives them a fiery kick, unlike traditional versions that are typically mild and simply cheesy.

• How do I prevent the cheese from melting completely during frying?

Freezing the breaded cheese for 30 minutes before frying helps create a protective coating and prevents the mozzarella from completely melting, ensuring a crispy exterior and gooey interior.

• What makes the breading process unique in this recipe?

The double-dredging technique – coating the cheese in flour, egg mixture, and breadcrumbs twice – creates an extra-thick, crunchy coating that helps seal in the cheese and provides more texture.

• Can I adjust the spice level of these hot mozzarella sticks?

Yes, you can control the heat by reducing or increasing the amount of cayenne pepper and hot sauce in the recipe, allowing you to customize the spice level to your preference.

Fiery Crunch Nashville-Style Hot Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

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4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy Nashville-style Hot Mozzarella Sticks deliver a crispy, cheesy explosion of Southern heat. Melted cheese wrapped in crunchy coating promises a mouthwatering experience you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cheese:

• 1 (16 ounces / 454 grams) block mozzarella cheese

Breading and Coating Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/3 cups seasoned breadcrumbs
• 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 large eggs, beaten

Seasoning and Spices:

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 tablespoons paprika
• 3 tablespoons cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce
• 2 cups vegetable oil for frying (or more as needed)
• ranch dressing for dipping

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Instructions

1. Slice mozzarella into 8 rectangular planks, maintaining consistent half-inch thickness for uniform cooking.
2. Prepare three separate shallow dishes: first with seasoned flour, second with egg and hot sauce blend, third with spiced breadcrumbs containing paprika.
3. Meticulously coat each cheese piece initially in flour, ensuring complete coverage while removing excess powder.
4. Submerge floured cheese into egg mixture, guaranteeing thorough and even coating before transferring to breadcrumb mixture.
5. Press breadcrumbs gently onto cheese, creating a robust exterior layer. Repeat entire breading process a second time for extra crispiness.
6. Transfer breaded mozzarella sticks onto wire rack positioned over baking sheet, then freeze for half an hour to secure coating.
7. Heat oil in deep saucepan to precise temperature range between 365-375 degrees fahrenheit for optimal frying conditions.
8. Craft spicy oil seasoning by combining salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, and brown sugar in heatproof bowl.
9. Carefully lower breaded cheese into hot oil, frying approximately one minute while rotating periodically until achieving golden-brown exterior.
10. Remove fried mozzarella sticks and drain on wire rack to eliminate excess oil.
11. Pour heated oil into seasoning mixture, creating fiery coating sauce for mozzarella sticks.
12. Delicately brush each fried stick with spicy oil, allowing surplus to drip away.
13. Serve immediately alongside cool ranch dressing for complementary dipping experience.

Notes

• Freeze mozzarella sticks before frying to prevent cheese from melting too quickly and ensure a crispy exterior.
• Double-coat breading creates an extra crunchy and thick coating that locks in the cheese and adds more texture.
• Use fresh, high-quality mozzarella for the best melting consistency and flavor profile.
• Adjust cayenne pepper levels to control heat intensity, making the dish adaptable for different spice tolerances.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 490
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg