Nashville hot mozzarella sticks are a fun twist on a classic favorite. They’re crispy, gooey mozzarella sticks coated in a spicy, flavorful Nashville hot seasoning that gives just the right amount of kick. If you like your cheese snacks with a little heat and a lot of crunch, these are going to be a new favorite for you.
I love making these when I want something easy but special to share with friends. The spicy coating is bold but never overpowering, so even folks who don’t normally like super spicy food can usually enjoy them. A little tip: if you want to tone down the heat a bit, try serving them with a cool ranch or blue cheese dip—I always have both ready just in case!
These mozzarella sticks are perfect for game day, movie night, or any time you need a snack that feels like a treat. I remember the first time I made them; the whole kitchen smelled spicy and delicious, and everyone kept coming back for more. They’re a great way to switch up your usual cheese stick routine and bring some Southern flare to your snack table.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Mozzarella sticks
- Use good-quality string cheese for that perfect gooey center. If you want a different cheese twist, try provolone or Monterey Jack, but mozzarella melts best here.
- Panko breadcrumbs
- These give a light, crispy crust. If you don’t have panko, regular breadcrumbs work, but the crunch might be less pronounced.
- Cayenne pepper & smoked paprika
- These create the signature Nashville hot heat and smoky flavor. Adjust cayenne to taste or swap smoked paprika for regular paprika if needed.
- Butter & hot sauce
- Butter helps the spices stick and balances the heat, while hot sauce adds tang and punch. If you prefer less heat, start with half the hot sauce and add more later.
How Do You Coat Mozzarella Sticks to Keep Cheese from Leaking?
To avoid melted cheese oozing out during frying, cold and double-coating are key steps:
- Freeze each mozzarella stick tightly wrapped for at least an hour. This firms them up, so cheese doesn’t melt too fast.
- Set up a dredging station: flour, egg wash, then seasoned panko.
- Coat each stick twice: flour → egg → panko → egg → panko. This extra layer keeps the cheese contained.
- Freeze coated sticks again before frying, so the coating sets well.
Following these steps helps you get crunchy sticks with melty, not messy, cheese inside.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Deep fryer or heavy pot – perfect for frying and keeps oil temperature steady.
- Thermometer – helps you keep oil at 350°F to get crispy, not greasy sticks.
- Three shallow bowls – for flour, egg wash, and breadcrumb coating; keeps breading organized.
- Slotted spoon or tongs – easy to lift sticks out of hot oil safely.
- Baking sheet lined with paper towels – to drain excess oil and keep sticks crisp.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Try pepper jack cheese for a little built-in spicy kick inside.
- Mix grated Parmesan into panko for an extra cheesy crust.
- Add a pinch of cayenne or chipotle powder to the breadcrumb mix to adjust heat level.
- Serve with honey mustard or spicy aioli instead of ranch for a different dipping flavor.
How to Make Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Main Ingredients:
- 12 mozzarella sticks
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
Seasonings & Sauce:
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing (optional, for dipping)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 10 minutes for prep, plus 1 to 1½ hours to chill the mozzarella sticks before breading and frying. Cooking the sticks usually takes around 10 minutes. Total time is around 1 hour and 20 minutes, including chilling.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Chill the Mozzarella Sticks:
Wrap each mozzarella stick in plastic wrap and freeze for at least 1 hour. This helps prevent cheese from melting too fast when frying.
2. Prepare the Breading Station:
Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with eggs beaten with 1 tablespoon of water, and one with the panko breadcrumbs mixed with cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
3. Coat the Mozzarella Sticks:
Remove sticks from the freezer and unwrap. Dip each stick first into the flour, shake off any extra, then into the egg mixture, and finally coat thoroughly in the spicy panko mixture. For a crispy, secure coating, repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps once more on each stick.
4. Freeze Again:
Return the coated sticks to the freezer and freeze for another 30 minutes. This step helps the coating stay on during frying.
5. Fry the Sticks:
Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the sticks in small batches for 1½ to 2 minutes until golden and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the oil to keep the temperature steady.
6. Drain and Toss in Nashville Hot Sauce:
Use a slotted spoon to remove the sticks and drain on paper towels. Melt butter on low heat, stir in hot sauce to make the Nashville hot sauce, then gently toss the fried sticks in the sauce to coat evenly.
7. Serve and Enjoy:
Arrange the sticks on a plate, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top, and serve immediately. Pair with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping if you like.
Can I Use Frozen Mozzarella Sticks Instead of Fresh?
Yes! Just thaw them completely in the fridge before starting the breading process. Freezing before breading is still important to prevent cheese leakage during frying.
How Can I Make These Less Spicy?
Reduce the cayenne pepper in the breadcrumb mix or use mild paprika instead of smoked paprika. Serving with ranch or blue cheese dip also helps balance the heat.
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftover Mozzarella Sticks?
Store leftover sticks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a hot oven or air fryer to keep them crispy—avoid microwaving as it can make them soggy.
Can I Bake Instead of Frying?
Yes! Bake at 400°F for about 10-12 minutes or until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through. While frying gives the crispiest results, baking is a great healthier alternative.