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Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks

These Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks are crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and brushed with a spicy Nashville-style sauce you can customize to your heat level. Served with a cooling homemade ranch, they’re the ultimate game-day snack.
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Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:15 minutes
Chilling Time:1 hour
Total Time:1 hour 35 minutes
Servings: 15 Sticks

Ingredients

Mozzarella Sticks

  • 16 oz low-moisture whole milk mozzarella block
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 tbsp milk
  • 1 Tbsp hot sauce optional
  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs
  • Neutral oil for frying

Spicy Oil

  • ½ tsp to 2 Tbsp cayenne adjust to taste (start with 1/2 tsp)
  • 1 Tbsp light brown sugar
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ cup reserved hot oil

Homemade Ranch

  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 Tbsp fresh dill chopped
  • 1 Tbsp fresh chives chopped
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • Lemon juice to taste

Instructions

Prep The Mozzarella

  • Cut mozzarella block into rectangular sticks, about 3½ x 1 inches and ½ inch thick.
  • Freeze mozzarella planks for at least 30 minutes to an hour (this is essential to prevent leaking).

Set Up Breading Station:

  • Bowl 1: flour
  • Bowl 2: eggs whisked with milk + hot sauce
  • Bowl 3: panko + smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper
  • Dredge each frozen mozzarella plank in flour.
  • Dip into egg.
  • Coat thoroughly in breadcrumbs (Repeat egg and breadcrumb step for a thicker, Chili’s-style crust)
  • Freeze breaded sticks for 30 minutes.

Fry

  • Heat oil to 350°F.
  • Fry in batches of 2-3 sticks, fry until deeply golden brown, about 4-5 minutes.
  • Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.

Make Spicy Oil

  • In a heatproof bowl, combine cayenne, brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt. Using a ladle, very carefully add about 1/2 cup reserved hot oil and stir to combine.
  • While the mozzarella sticks are warm brush hot oil on both sides. Serve warm with ranch.