Description
Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks are irresistibly crunchy, perfectly spicy and paired with a creamy ranch dressing, making them a delightful appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb mozzarella cheese, cut into 3×2 inch pieces
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp water
- Vegetable oil for deep frying
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 tsp fresh chives, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp sugar
Instructions
- Add all the hot sauce ingredients to a small pot and heat over low heat. Whisk everything together as the butter melts, then let it bubble gently for about 2 minutes. Take it off the heat and set it aside.
- Grab a bowl and mix together all the ranch ingredients until everything is well combined. Pop it in the fridge to chill while you work on the mozzarella sticks.
- In a bowl, combine all the breading ingredients and mix well.
- Whisk the egg and water together to make your egg wash. Dip each mozzarella piece in the egg wash, then coat it in the seasoned breading. Dip it back in the egg wash, then coat it again in the breading.
- Place your breaded mozzarella sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze them for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a heavy pan to 350°F. Carefully add the frozen mozzarella sticks and fry for 2-3 minutes until they’re golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer the hot mozzarella sticks to a cooling rack and immediately brush them with the Nashville hot sauce while they’re still warm. Serve right away with the chilled ranch dressing.
Notes
- Double breading creates an extra crispy coating that holds the cheese inside perfectly.
- Freezing the breaded sticks is essential to prevent cheese from leaking out during frying.
- The Nashville hot sauce can be made spicier by adding more cayenne pepper to taste.
- These taste best when served immediately while the cheese is still stretchy and hot.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 sticks
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 80mg