There’s nothing better than Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks—crispy, gooey cheese sticks coated in a fiery, crunchy breading and tossed in a bold, spicy Nashville hot sauce. These spicy, cheesy delights are perfect for parties, game nights, or anytime you want to turn up the heat!
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Why You’ll Love These Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks
🔥 Spicy & Cheesy – Crispy coating with a gooey, melty center.
🥵 Authentic Nashville Heat – Tossed in a bold hot butter sauce.
🧀 Perfect for Parties – A fun twist on classic mozzarella sticks!
💥 Crispy & Crunchy – Double-breaded for extra crunch.
Ingredients for Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks
For the Mozzarella Sticks:
- 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks, cut in half
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Oil for frying
For the Nashville Hot Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
For Dipping (Optional):
- Ranch dressing
- Spicy mayo
- Honey drizzle (for a sweet heat balance)
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Large skillet or deep fryer
- Tongs
- Paper towels
How to Make Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks
Step 1: Freeze the Mozzarella Sticks
- Cut mozzarella sticks in half and place them on a baking sheet.
- Freeze for at least 1 hour to prevent them from melting too quickly when fried.
Step 2: Prepare the Breading Station
- In one bowl, add flour.
- In another bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and hot sauce.
- In a third bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Step 3: Coat the Mozzarella Sticks
- Roll each frozen mozzarella stick in flour, then dip in the egg mixture, and coat with panko breadcrumbs.
- Repeat the egg and panko coating for double breading (this makes them extra crispy).
- Return the coated sticks to the freezer for 30 more minutes.
Step 4: Fry Until Golden
- Heat oil in a skillet or deep fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Fry mozzarella sticks in batches for 1-2 minutes, until golden brown.
- Remove and drain on paper towels.
Step 5: Make the Nashville Hot Sauce
- In a bowl, whisk together melted butter, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and hot sauce.
Step 6: Toss & Serve
- Brush or toss the fried mozzarella sticks in the Nashville hot sauce.
- Serve immediately with ranch, spicy mayo, or a honey drizzle!
Serving Suggestions
🔥 With a Side of Pickles – The acidity balances the spice.
🌿 With Ranch or Blue Cheese – Cools down the heat.
🍯 With a Honey Drizzle – Sweet and spicy heaven!
Tips for the Best Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks
- Freeze the Cheese! – Prevents them from oozing out while frying.
- Double Breading = Extra Crunch – Ensures a thick, crispy crust.
- Fry in Small Batches – Keeps the oil temperature steady for the crispiest sticks.
- For Extra Heat – Add more cayenne or a splash of ghost pepper sauce.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Reheat: Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 3-4 minutes or bake at 400°F for 5-7 minutes.
- Freeze Before Frying: Freeze breaded sticks for up to 1 month, then fry directly from frozen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Can I bake these instead of frying?
Yes! Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Q2: Can I air-fry them?
Absolutely! Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 6-8 minutes, shaking halfway.
Q3: What cheese works best?
Mozzarella is classic, but you can also use Colby Jack or Pepper Jack for extra spice.
Crispy, Spicy, and Totally Addictive!
These Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks take cheesy, crunchy, and spicy to the next level. Whether you’re making them for game night, a party, or just a spicy snack craving, they’re guaranteed to be a hit!
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Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Freezing Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving – 1 of 6 Servings)
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fat: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
🔥 Enjoy every spicy, cheesy, and crispy bite of these Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks!
Print
Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Description
There’s nothing better than Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks—crispy, gooey cheese sticks coated in a fiery, crunchy breading and tossed in a bold, spicy Nashville hot sauce. These spicy, cheesy delights are perfect for parties, game nights, or anytime you want to turn up the heat!
Subscribe to our newsletter to get this recipe delivered straight to your inbox and never miss out on delicious updates!
Ingredients
For the Mozzarella Sticks:
- 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks, cut in half
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Oil for frying
For the Nashville Hot Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
For Dipping (Optional):
- Ranch dressing
- Spicy mayo
- Honey drizzle (for a sweet heat balance)
Instructions
Step 1: Freeze the Mozzarella Sticks
- Cut mozzarella sticks in half and place them on a baking sheet.
- Freeze for at least 1 hour to prevent them from melting too quickly when fried.
Step 2: Prepare the Breading Station
- In one bowl, add flour.
- In another bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and hot sauce.
- In a third bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Step 3: Coat the Mozzarella Sticks
- Roll each frozen mozzarella stick in flour, then dip in the egg mixture, and coat with panko breadcrumbs.
- Repeat the egg and panko coating for double breading (this makes them extra crispy).
- Return the coated sticks to the freezer for 30 more minutes.
Step 4: Fry Until Golden
- Heat oil in a skillet or deep fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Fry mozzarella sticks in batches for 1-2 minutes, until golden brown.
- Remove and drain on paper towels.
Step 5: Make the Nashville Hot Sauce
- In a bowl, whisk together melted butter, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and hot sauce.
Step 6: Toss & Serve
- Brush or toss the fried mozzarella sticks in the Nashville hot sauce.
- Serve immediately with ranch, spicy mayo, or a honey drizzle!
Notes
- Freeze the Cheese! – Prevents them from oozing out while frying.
- Double Breading = Extra Crunch – Ensures a thick, crispy crust.
- Fry in Small Batches – Keeps the oil temperature steady for the crispiest sticks.
- For Extra Heat – Add more cayenne or a splash of ghost pepper sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cuisine: American
