Crispy Spicy Nashville Sticks

This fiery twist on classic mozzarella sticks brings Nashville hot chicken flavor to cheesy perfection. Crispy, golden breading surrounds melty mozzarella, all drizzled with a sweet-spicy butter glaze that delivers that authentic Nashville heat experience right at home.

I created these after my family became obsessed with Nashville hot chicken during a road trip through Tennessee. The combination of that signature spicy butter with gooey cheese has become our Friday night tradition when friends come over.

Ingredients

• Block whole milk mozzarella: This provides the ideal melt factor and slices cleanly into sticks better than pre-shredded
• Panko breadcrumbs: The Japanese breadcrumbs create exceptional crispiness that standard breadcrumbs alone cannot achieve
• Regular breadcrumbs: These fill in the gaps between panko for complete coverage
• Cayenne pepper: The essential spice for authentic Nashville hot flavor use fresh for maximum impact
• Brown sugar: Balances the heat with subtle sweetness and helps the glaze caramelize beautifully
• Avocado oil: Its high smoke point makes it ideal for frying without burning
• Smoked paprika: Adds depth and subtle smokiness that elevates the entire flavor profile

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep the Cheese:

Cut your mozzarella block into uniform sticks approximately 3 inches long and ½ inch thick. Consistency matters here as too thin will melt too quickly and too thick won't get gooey in the center. Keep refrigerated until ready to bread.

Create Your Dredging Station:

Arrange three shallow bowls in sequence. Fill the first with flour seasoned with salt and pepper. Whisk eggs thoroughly in the second bowl until completely uniform. In the third bowl combine panko breadcrumbs regular breadcrumbs and all seasonings mixing thoroughly to distribute spices.

Execute the Double Bread Technique:

Take each cheese stick and coat thoroughly in flour shaking off excess. Dip completely in egg allowing excess to drip off. Roll in breadcrumb mixture pressing firmly to adhere. For maximum crispiness repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps for a second coating ensuring complete coverage.

Freeze for Success:

Arrange breaded sticks on a parchment lined baking sheet ensuring they don't touch. Freeze for at least 20 minutes or up to 1 hour. This critical step prevents premature cheese meltdown during frying.

Master the Fry:

Heat oil to exactly 375°F using a thermometer for accuracy. Fry sticks in small batches of 3 to 4 for 60 to 90 seconds until golden brown but before cheese begins escaping. Maintain oil temperature between batches for consistent results.

Create the Nashville Hot Glaze:

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in cayenne pepper brown sugar smoked paprika garlic powder and hot sauce until completely smooth. The glaze should coat the back of a spoon but remain pourable.

Glaze and Serve:

While still hot dip each fried mozzarella stick into the glaze using tongs ensuring even coverage. Serve immediately while the contrast between crispy exterior and molten interior is at its peak.

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The smoked paprika in this recipe is my secret weapon. I discovered its transformative power during a cooking class in Barcelona and now keep three varieties in my pantry. My teenager once claimed these mozzarella sticks were better than anything at our local sports bar which remains my proudest culinary moment.

Prevent Cheese Explosions

Temperature control is your primary defense against cheese explosions. Beyond freezing your breaded sticks maintain oil at precisely 375°F using a reliable thermometer. Too hot and the breading burns before the cheese warms through. Too cool and the sticks absorb oil while the cheese melts too quickly and leaks out.

Proper breading technique creates a seal around the cheese. Press the breadcrumbs firmly into each stick during coating ensuring no bare spots remain. Any gap becomes an escape route for molten cheese. Keep your frying time under 90 seconds whenever possible as extended frying inevitably leads to blowouts no matter how well prepared.

Make Ahead Options

Prepare these mozzarella sticks up to one month in advance by freezing after the double breading process. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid then transfer to airtight containers separating layers with parchment paper. They can go straight from freezer to fryer adding about 30 seconds to the cooking time.

The Nashville hot glaze can be prepared up to three days ahead and stored refrigerated. Reheat gently before using adding a splash of water or hot sauce if needed to restore the proper consistency. Never glaze the sticks until immediately before serving as this causes the breading to soften quickly.

Serving Suggestions

Create a Nashville hot mozzarella stick board by arranging freshly glazed sticks alongside cooling agents like ranch dressing blue cheese dip and pickle spears. Include celery and carrot sticks for fresh crunch and texture contrast. This presentation encourages guests to customize their heat experience.

These sticks pair surprisingly well with cold beer particularly hoppy IPAs that stand up to the spice or crisp lagers that refresh the palate. For non alcoholic options consider sweet iced tea which traditionally accompanies Nashville hot dishes or tangy lemonade which cuts through richness.

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Frequently Asked Questions

→ What type of mozzarella is best for these sticks?

It's best to use a block of whole milk mozzarella cheese. This gives a creamy texture and can be sliced evenly into sticks for uniform frying.

→ How do I make the coating stick better?

Double-coating the mozzarella sticks by repeating the egg and breadcrumb process ensures the crust adheres well and becomes extra crispy when fried.

→ Can I control the spice level in the glaze?

Yes, adjust the cayenne pepper and hot sauce quantities to increase or decrease the heat. You can also skip the chili powder for a milder glaze.

→ What oil works best for frying?

Avocado oil is ideal for its high heat tolerance and neutral flavor, ensuring a cleaner taste and crispy texture.

→ How should I serve these for best results?

Serve these sticks fresh and immediately after frying to maintain the gooey cheese interior and crispy outer crust. Pair with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.