Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks (Print Version)
Spicy fried mozzarella sticks brushed with hot sauce, served with homemade buttermilk ranch.
# Ingredients:
→ Base Ingredients
01 -
450 g mozzarella, cut into 7.5 x 5 cm sticks
02 -
1 large egg
03 -
15 ml water
04 -
Vegetable oil, for deep frying
→ Breading
05 -
200 g breadcrumbs
06 -
5 g garlic powder
07 -
5 g onion powder
08 -
5 g dried oregano
09 -
5 g ground black pepper
10 -
2.5 g salt
→ Nashville Hot Sauce
11 -
115 g unsalted butter, melted
12 -
8 g ground cayenne pepper
13 -
13 g brown sugar
14 -
2.5 g smoked paprika
15 -
5 g minced garlic or garlic powder
16 -
5 g salt
17 -
5 g ground black pepper
18 -
7 g honey (optional)
→ Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
19 -
120 g mayonnaise
20 -
120 g sour cream
21 -
120 ml buttermilk
22 -
4 g chopped chives, dried or fresh
23 -
5 ml lemon juice
24 -
2 g dried or fresh parsley
25 -
2.5 g onion powder
26 -
2.5 g garlic powder
27 -
5 g salt
28 -
2.5 g ground black pepper
29 -
2.5 g sugar
# Instructions:
01 -
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine melted butter, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, smoked paprika, minced garlic or garlic powder, salt, pepper, and honey if using. Whisk constantly until the mixture is smooth and the butter is fully melted. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, then remove from heat and reserve.
02 -
In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, chives, lemon juice, parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and sugar until homogeneous. Chill in the refrigerator until service.
03 -
In a separate bowl, blend breadcrumbs with garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, black pepper, and salt.
04 -
Whisk egg with water to create an egg wash. Dip each mozzarella stick into the egg wash, then coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat a second time for a double breading.
05 -
Arrange breaded mozzarella sticks on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for at least 30 minutes until firm.
06 -
In a deep pan, heat 5 cm of vegetable oil to 175°C. Fry mozzarella sticks in batches until deeply golden, approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on a wire rack.
07 -
Immediately brush fried mozzarella sticks with warm Nashville Hot Sauce. Present with chilled buttermilk ranch dressing for dipping.
# Notes:
01 -
Ensure mozzarella sticks are well-frozen before frying to prevent cheese leaking during cooking.