Description
A fiery twist on the classic mozzarella sticks, coated with a bold Nashville Hot Spice Mix and paired with a cooling dipping sauce for the perfect balance of heat and flavor.
Ingredients
12 oz mozzarella cheese sticks (approximately 12 sticks)
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil)
1/4 cup cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing
1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Freeze the mozzarella sticks for at least 1 hour to help them hold their shape while frying.
- Set up your breading station with 3 separate bowls: Bowl 1 with flour, Bowl 2 with beaten eggs, and Bowl 3 with seasoned bread crumbs mixed with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Remove the frozen cheese sticks from the freezer. Dredge each stick in flour, dip in the beaten eggs, then coat with the seasoned bread crumbs. Repeat for all mozzarella sticks.
- Mix together cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper for the Nashville Hot Spice Mix.
- Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry mozzarella sticks in batches for 2-3 minutes, turning halfway, until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Sprinkle the Nashville Hot Spice Mix generously over the hot mozzarella sticks.
- Mix hot sauce (optional) into ranch or blue cheese dressing for a spicier dipping sauce.
- Serve the mozzarella sticks with the dipping sauce on the side while hot.
Notes
Ensure the cheese sticks are frozen before frying to prevent cheese from melting out.
Adjust the cayenne pepper in the spice mix for more or less heat depending on your preference.
You can use a deep fryer for frying, but a deep pan works well too.
For a crispy texture when reheating, use an air fryer or oven instead of a microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stick
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
