Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients

• 1 lb Low-moisture mozzarella cheese (block form, cut into 1/2-inch thick sticks)
• 0.5 cup All-purpose flour (for the first breading station)
• 3 Eggs (beaten, for the second breading station)
• 1.5 cup Breadcrumbs (any kind (Panko or Italian works well))
• 3 cup Neutral frying oil (vegetable or canola oil for deep frying)
• 1 tsp Cayenne pepper (for the hot sauce)
• 1 tsp Garlic powder (for the hot sauce)
• 1 tsp Salt (for the hot sauce)
• 1 tsp Chili powder (for the hot sauce)
• 2 tsp Brown sugar (for the hot sauce)

Steps

1. 1

   Cut the 1 lb block of mozzarella into sticks or squares. Aim for approximately 1/2 inch thickness; thinner sticks provide more crunch, while thicker sticks result in a more substantial cheese pull.

2. 2

   Set up a breading station with three separate bowls: Bowl 1 with all-purpose flour, Bowl 2 with the 3 beaten eggs, and Bowl 3 with the breadcrumbs.

3. 3

   Bread the cheese using a double-coating method to prevent leaking: First, dredge the cheese stick in flour, then dip in the egg, then coat in breadcrumbs. Repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps once more (Flour → Egg → Breadcrumbs → Egg → Breadcrumbs).

4. 4

   Place the breaded mozzarella sticks on a tray and freeze for 30 minutes. This step is essential to help them hold their shape and prevent the cheese from blowing out during frying.

5. 5

   Heat your frying oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).

6. 6

   Fry the frozen mozzarella sticks in batches for 1–2 minutes until the exterior is golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack or paper towels.

7. 7

   In a small heat-proof bowl, combine the cayenne, garlic powder, salt, chili powder, and brown sugar. Carefully whisk in 3–4 tablespoons of the hot frying oil until the spices are fully incorporated and the sauce is smooth.

8. 8

   While the mozzarella sticks are still hot, use a pastry brush to coat them with the Nashville hot sauce. Serve immediately.

Notes

For the best results, ensure the cheese is low-moisture mozzarella; fresh mozzarella contains too much water and will cause the breading to become soggy or explode. If you prefer less heat, reduce the cayenne pepper to 1/2 tsp.

Nutrition per serving

• appetizer
• snack
• spicy
• fried
• comfort food
• cheese
• Nashville hot