Get ready to recreate a restaurant favourite in your own kitchen with these Crispy and Spicy Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks. Inspired by the popular Chili’s appetizer, this recipe delivers everything you love: a perfectly golden, ultra-crispy coating that gives way to a gloriously gooey, melted cheese centre. The experience is then taken to the next level with a buttery, spicy Nashville hot glaze that coats every single bite.
This is the ultimate indulgent snack, perfect for game days, parties, or any time a craving for something bold, cheesy, and spicy strikes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Restaurant Favourite at Home: Get that Chili’s flavour you love without leaving your house.
- The Ultimate Texture Combo: The super-crunchy exterior combined with the melted, stringy cheese is incredibly satisfying.
- Bold & Spicy Flavour: The Nashville hot glaze is the star, offering a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and buttery richness.
- Perfect Party Food: They are easy to make in batches and are guaranteed to be the first appetizer to disappear.
Ingredients You Will Need
For the Mozzarella Sticks:
- Mozzarella Cheese Sticks: Whole milk string cheese or a block of low-moisture mozzarella cut into sticks will provide the best cheesy pull.
- All-Purpose Flour: The first step in the breading process, helping the egg wash adhere.
- Eggs: Act as the binder for the breadcrumbs.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: These Japanese-style breadcrumbs create a lighter, crispier crust than traditional breadcrumbs.
- Spices: A blend of cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder is mixed into the breadcrumbs for a flavourful coating.
- Salt & Black Pepper: To season the breading.
- Neutral Oil for Frying: Avocado, canola, or vegetable oil are all great choices due to their high smoke points.
For the Nashville Hot Glaze:
- Unsalted Butter: Forms the rich, liquid base of the glaze.
- Brown Sugar: Adds a touch of molasses-like sweetness to balance the heat.
- Cayenne Pepper: The primary source of heat. Adjust the amount to your preferred spice level.
- Paprika: Smoked paprika adds a wonderful, smoky depth.
- Garlic Powder: For savoury, aromatic flavour.
- Your Favourite Hot Sauce: A vinegar-based hot sauce adds a tangy element that cuts through the richness.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Breading Station Set up three shallow bowls. In the first, place the all-purpose flour. In the second, whisk the eggs until smooth. In the third, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Double-Coat the Mozzarella Working with one mozzarella stick at a time, dredge it in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip it into the egg wash, ensuring it’s fully coated, then press it firmly into the seasoned breadcrumb mixture. For an extra-thick and crispy crust, dip the stick back into the egg wash and then into the breadcrumbs a second time. Place the breaded sticks on a parchment-lined tray.
3. Freeze for Best Results (Crucial Step!) Place the tray of breaded mozzarella sticks into the freezer for at least 20-30 minutes. Do not skip this step. Freezing helps the breading set and prevents the cheese from melting and bursting out during frying.
4. Fry to Golden Perfection While the sticks are freezing, heat about 2 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer to 375∘F (190∘C). Carefully fry the mozzarella sticks in small batches for just 1-2 minutes, until they are a deep golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a wire rack to drain.
5. Make the Nashville Hot Glaze In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the brown sugar, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and hot sauce. Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
6. Glaze and Serve Using tongs, dip each fried mozzarella stick into the warm Nashville hot glaze, turning to coat it completely. Arrange the glazed sticks on a serving platter and serve immediately with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Tips, Variations, and Serving Suggestions
- Monitor Your Oil Temperature: Keeping the oil at a consistent 375∘F (190∘C) is key. If the oil is too cool, the sticks will be greasy. If it’s too hot, the breading will burn before the cheese melts.
- Control the Heat: The spice level can be easily adjusted. For less heat, reduce the amount of cayenne in both the breading and the glaze. For more fire, add an extra pinch.
- Air Fryer Method: For a lighter version, preheat your air fryer to 390∘F (200∘C). Arrange the frozen, breaded sticks in a single layer and spray them generously with cooking oil. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy. Then, toss in the glaze as directed.
- Bite-Sized Version: For a party-friendly snack, cut the mozzarella sticks in half before breading. They will fry even faster (about 1 minute).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why did my cheese leak out while frying? A1: This almost always happens for two reasons: the freezing step was skipped, or the sticks were fried for too long. The brief, high-heat frying is meant to crisp the outside quickly before the cheese has a chance to fully liquefy and escape.
Q2: Can I make these ahead of time? A2: Yes. You can bread the mozzarella sticks and store them in the freezer in an airtight container for up to a month. You can fry them directly from frozen. The glaze is best made fresh just before serving.
Q3: How should I store leftovers? A3: These are best enjoyed fresh. However, you can store leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat them in an air fryer or oven at 375∘F (190∘C) for 4-6 minutes to restore some of their crispness.
Q4: Can I use pre-breaded frozen mozzarella sticks? A4: Yes, for a major shortcut, you can use store-bought frozen mozzarella sticks. Cook them according to the package directions, then toss them in the homemade Nashville hot glaze.
Conclusion
These Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks are the ultimate appetizer for anyone who loves bold flavours and cheesy indulgence. By perfectly marrying a crunchy, savoury coating with a molten cheese centre and a fiery, buttery glaze, this recipe delivers a truly memorable and crave-worthy snack. It’s a fun and impressive dish that brings the excitement of a restaurant favourite right to your table.
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Crispy Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks (Chili’s Copycat)
Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks are my copycat version of the Chili’s classic. Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside, and coated in a spicy Nashville hot butter sauce.
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients
Mozzarella Sticks:
1 lb block of whole milk mozzarella cheese sliced into thick sticks
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 large eggs whisked
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 cup plain breadcrumbs
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Avocado oil for frying
Nashville Hot Glaze:
½ cup unsalted butter melted
2 tbsp cayenne pepper adjust to taste
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp chili powder optional
2–3 tbsp hot sauce
Salt to taste
Instructions
Slice 1 lb block of mozzarella cheese into thick, rectangular sticks (about 3 inches long and ½ inch thick).
Prepare 3 bowls: one with 1 cup flour, one with 3 whisked eggs, and one with 1 cup panko breadcrumbs mixed with 1 cup plain breadcrumbs, 1 tsp cayenne, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Coat each mozzarella stick in flour, then egg, and then breadcrumbs. Repeat egg and breadcrumbs for a double coating. Place breaded sticks on a tray.
Freeze breaded mozzarella sticks for 15-20 minutes.
Heat 2 inches of avocado oil to 375°F. Fry mozzarella sticks for 1-2 minutes until golden. Drain on a wire rack.
In a saucepan, melt ½ cup butter. Add 2 tbsp cayenne, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp chili powder (optional), 2-3 tbsp hot sauce, and salt. Whisk until smooth.
Dip fried mozzarella sticks into the hot glaze. Serve immediately with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Notes
Top Tips for Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks
Freeze After Breading: Freezing after breading ensures the coating stays intact and the cheese doesn’t melt too quickly while frying.
Double Coat for Crunch: A second coating of egg and breadcrumbs creates an extra crispy crust.
Use Fresh Mozzarella Blocks: Block mozzarella provides the creamy texture and shape needed for uniform sticks.
Control the Spice: Adjust cayenne and hot sauce in the glaze for your desired heat level.
Serve Fresh: These sticks are best enjoyed immediately while the cheese is gooey and the crust is crunchy.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 623kcal
- Fat: 36.9g
- Carbohydrates: 36.4g
- Protein: 21.4g
