Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks Recipe (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Base Ingredients
01 -
Fresh mozzarella (1 pound, cut into 3x2 inch pieces)
02 -
Large egg (1)
03 -
Water (1 tablespoon)
04 -
Vegetable oil (enough for frying)
→ Crunchy Breading Mix
05 -
Breadcrumbs (2 cups)
06 -
Garlic powder (1 teaspoon)
07 -
Onion powder (1 teaspoon)
08 -
Dried oregano (1 teaspoon)
09 -
Black pepper (1 teaspoon)
10 -
Salt (½ teaspoon)
→ Nashville Heat Sauce
11 -
Unsalted butter (½ cup, melted)
12 -
Cayenne pepper (1 tablespoon)
13 -
Brown sugar (1 tablespoon)
14 -
Smoked paprika (1 teaspoon)
15 -
Fresh minced or powdered garlic (1 teaspoon)
16 -
Salt (1 teaspoon)
17 -
Black pepper (1 teaspoon)
18 -
Honey (1 teaspoon, optional for sweetness)
→ Homemade Ranch
19 -
Mayonnaise (½ cup)
20 -
Sour cream (½ cup)
21 -
Buttermilk (½ cup)
22 -
Fresh or dried chives (2 teaspoons)
23 -
Fresh lemon juice (1 teaspoon)
24 -
Fresh or dried parsley (1 teaspoon)
25 -
Onion powder (1 teaspoon)
26 -
Garlic powder (½ teaspoon)
27 -
Salt (1 teaspoon)
28 -
Black pepper (½ teaspoon)
29 -
Sugar (½ teaspoon)
# Instructions:
01 -
Combine all Nashville Hot Sauce ingredients in a small pot over low heat. Whisk continuously as the butter melts, let it simmer for a couple minutes until the flavors meld together, then take it off the heat and set aside.
02 -
Mix all the Buttermilk Ranch Dressing ingredients in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Pop it in the fridge to let those flavors get friendly while you work on the sticks.
03 -
In a bowl, combine breadcrumbs with all the seasonings listed under Breading until well mixed. Set aside for your assembly station.
04 -
Whisk together your egg and water to make a simple egg wash. Line up your stations: cheese pieces, egg wash, and seasoned breading.
05 -
Take each piece of mozzarella through a double-coating process: first in egg wash, then breading, back in egg wash, and one final coat of breading. This creates that perfect crispy shell.
06 -
Place your breaded sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes. This is crucial for keeping your cheese from escaping during frying!
07 -
Heat 2 inches of oil to 350°F. Carefully fry your frozen sticks until they're beautifully golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack.
08 -
While still hot, brush each stick generously with your prepared Nashville hot sauce. Serve immediately with your chilled homemade ranch dressing.
# Notes:
01 -
This recipe takes classic mozzarella sticks to the next level with Nashville hot spices and homemade ranch
02 -
Double breading creates an extra crispy crust that holds up to the spicy sauce
03 -
Don't skip the freezing step - it's essential for perfect cheese pulls!
04 -
Make the ranch dressing ahead of time to let the flavors develop