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