Ingredients
Mozzarella Sticks
- 500 g Mozzarella Cheese
- 1 Egg
- 1 tbsp Water
- 2 cups Breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Pepper
Nashville Hot Sauce
- ¾ cup Reserved Fry Oil
- ¼ cup Ground Cayenne Pepper
- 1 tbsp Smoked Paprika
- 2 tsp Chili Powder
- 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
Ranch Dressing
- ¼ cup Mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Greek Yogurt
- ¼ cup Milk or Buttermilk
- 2 tsp Fresh Chives, finely chopped
- 1 tsp Italian Herbs
- 1 tsp White Vinegar or Fresh Lemon Juice
- ¼ tsp Garlic Powder
- ¼ tsp Onion Powder
- ¼ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Mozzarella Sticks: Cut the mozzarella cheese into 3×2 inch sticks and set aside. Whisk together the egg and water in a medium mixing bowl to create an egg wash. In a separate plate, mix the breadcrumbs with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined. Coat each mozzarella stick by dipping it first into the egg wash, then the breadcrumb mixture, then repeat by dipping again into the egg wash and the breadcrumbs for a double coating. Place the coated sticks onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them for 1 hour to firm up.
- Make Ranch Dressing: In a medium mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, milk or buttermilk, freshly chopped chives, Italian herbs, white vinegar or lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well until smooth and homogenized. Refrigerate the dressing while you finish preparing the sticks.
- Fry Mozzarella Sticks: Heat the reserved frying oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the frozen mozzarella sticks carefully until golden brown and crispy on both sides, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Once cooked, transfer them onto a cooling rack to drain excess oil.
- Prepare Nashville Hot Sauce: In a bowl, combine the ground cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, chili powder, brown sugar, garlic powder, and salt. Carefully pour the hot reserved oil from frying into the spice mixture and stir thoroughly to create a vibrant spicy oil.
- Coat Mozzarella Sticks: Using a brush, evenly coat each fried mozzarella stick on all sides with the prepared Nashville hot spicy oil. Arrange the sticks on a serving plate.
- Serve: Serve the Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks immediately with the chilled homemade ranch dressing for dipping. Enjoy this spicy, crunchy, cheesy appetizer hot for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Freezing the coated mozzarella sticks before frying prevents cheese from oozing out during cooking.
- Use fresh breadcrumbs for a crispier coating.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to control spice level of the hot sauce.
- Ensure oil temperature is medium to prevent burning the breading while melting the cheese inside.
- Ranch dressing can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
