Hot Mozzarella Sticks (Printable Version)
Crispy fried mozzarella sticks with a fiery Nashville-style butter coating. Crunchy outside, oozy inside!
# What You’ll Need:
→ Base Ingredients
01 -
Vegetable oil (enough for frying)
02 -
Large egg (1)
03 -
Water (1 tablespoon)
04 -
Fresh mozzarella (1 pound, cut into rectangular pieces approximately 3x2 inches)
→ Crunchy Breading Mix
05 -
Onion powder (1 teaspoon)
06 -
Dried oregano (1 teaspoon)
07 -
Breadcrumbs (2 cups)
08 -
Salt (½ teaspoon)
09 -
Garlic powder (1 teaspoon)
10 -
Black pepper (1 teaspoon)
→ Nashville Heat Sauce
11 -
Honey (1 teaspoon, optional for some sweetness)
12 -
Salt (1 teaspoon)
13 -
Fresh minced or powdered garlic (1 teaspoon)
14 -
Cayenne pepper (1 tablespoon)
15 -
Brown sugar (1 tablespoon)
16 -
Unsalted butter (½ cup, melted)
17 -
Black pepper (1 teaspoon)
18 -
Smoked paprika (1 teaspoon)
→ Homemade Ranch
19 -
Fresh or dried parsley (1 teaspoon)
20 -
Sour cream (½ cup)
21 -
Salt (1 teaspoon)
22 -
Mayonnaise (½ cup)
23 -
Garlic powder (½ teaspoon)
24 -
Onion powder (1 teaspoon)
25 -
Fresh lemon juice (1 teaspoon)
26 -
Sugar (½ teaspoon)
27 -
Buttermilk (½ cup)
28 -
Black pepper (½ teaspoon)
29 -
Fresh or dried chives (2 teaspoons)
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 -
Take all the ingredients for the Nashville sauce and heat gently in a pot. Stir as the butter liquifies, let everything bubble mildly for a couple of minutes for the flavors to blend, then remove it from the heat and leave aside.
02 -
Combine the buttermilk dressing ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir until it’s nice and smooth. Put it in the refrigerator to chill while working on the other steps.
03 -
Toss together the breading mix in a medium bowl, ensuring an even consistency. Leave it nearby for coating.
04 -
Beat water and an egg together to form the wash. Organize your workstation starting with the cheese sticks, the egg mix, and the prepared crumbs in order.
05 -
Grab a piece of cheese, coat it in the egg mix, roll it in bread crumbs, then repeat the process for a thicker crust. This double coating locks in the crunch.
06 -
Arrange the coated sticks on a sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze them for half an hour or more to stop the cheese from leaking out while frying.
07 -
Heat enough oil in a pan to reach 350°F. Fry the frozen sticks until crispy golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per batch. Transfer them to a rack to hold any extra oil.
08 -
Brush the fresh-from-the-oil sticks with the spicy Nashville sauce generously. Serve immediately with the chilled ranch for dipping.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Put your personal spin on mozzarella sticks using spicy Nashville touches and a creamy buttermilk dip.
02 -
The two rounds of breading make for an extra crunchy exterior that stands up to the heat.
03 -
Letting the cheese sticks freeze prevents messy frying and creates perfect, gooey cheese pulls!
04 -
Let the homemade dip chill early so the flavors blend together better.