Crispy Nashville Hot Mozzarella (Printer-Friendly)

Golden, crunchy mozzarella sticks with a spicy Nashville hot glaze and creamy dip pairing.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cheese

01 - Mozzarella cheese block, whole milk, cut into 3-inch by ½-inch sticks

→ Breading

02 - All-purpose flour, 1 cup
03 - Large eggs, 2, beaten
04 - Panko breadcrumbs, 1 cup
05 - Plain breadcrumbs, ½ cup
06 - Cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon
07 - Smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon
08 - Garlic powder, ½ teaspoon
09 - Onion powder, ½ teaspoon
10 - Kosher salt, 1 teaspoon
11 - Freshly ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon

→ Frying Oil

12 - Avocado oil, 4 cups (for deep frying)

→ Nashville Hot Glaze

13 - Unsalted butter, 4 tablespoons
14 - Brown sugar, 1 tablespoon
15 - Cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon
16 - Smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon
17 - Garlic powder, ½ teaspoon
18 - Chili powder, ½ teaspoon (optional)
19 - Hot sauce with vinegar base, 2 tablespoons
20 - Kosher salt, ½ teaspoon

# Steps to Make This:

01 - Slice the mozzarella block into sticks approximately 3 inches long by ½ inch thick to ensure even melting and sturdy coating.
02 - Arrange three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with combined panko, plain breadcrumbs, cayenne, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
03 - Coat each cheese stick by dredging first in flour, then dipping in egg, followed by pressing firmly into the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat the egg and breadcrumb step for a double layer to enhance crunch.
04 - Place breaded sticks on a tray and freeze for 15 to 20 minutes to set the coating and prevent cheese leakage during frying.
05 - Heat avocado oil in a deep pot to 375°F (190°C), maintaining this temperature for optimal crispiness.
06 - Fry frozen cheese sticks in batches for 1 to 2 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Drain on a wire rack to preserve crunch.
07 - Melt unsalted butter over low heat in a saucepan. Whisk in cayenne, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, optional chili powder, hot sauce, and salt. Stir continuously until smooth and fragrant.
08 - Quickly dip each fried mozzarella stick into the hot glaze, place on a serving platter, and serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing for contrast.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Maintaining oil temperature at 375°F ensures a crisp crust without melting the cheese inside.
02 - Freezing breaded sticks prior to frying minimizes cheese leakage and increases crunch.
03 - Adjust cayenne and hot sauce amounts in the glaze to your preferred spice level.

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