Copycat Chili’s Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

Introduction

These Copycat Chili’s Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks bring a spicy, crispy twist to a classic favorite. Coated in a flavorful blend of spices and served with cool ranch, they make a perfect appetizer or snack to impress friends and family.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. part-skim mozzarella
• 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tbsp hot sauce
• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
• Canola oil, for frying
• 2 tbsp cayenne
• 1 tbsp light brown sugar
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• Ranch dressing, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cut the mozzarella into 6 rectangles approximately 2 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick.
2. Step 2: In a shallow bowl, mix the flour, salt, paprika, and cayenne. In a second bowl, whisk together the eggs and hot sauce. Pour the panko breadcrumbs into a third shallow bowl.
3. Step 3: Coat each mozzarella stick by tossing it in the flour mixture, then dipping into the egg mixture allowing excess to drip off, and finally pressing into the panko breadcrumbs. Place coated sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight to firm up.
4. Step 4: Heat canola oil in a large, heavy skillet to a depth of 2 inches until it reaches 350°F (175°C) using a deep-fry thermometer. Fry the frozen mozzarella sticks in batches, turning once, until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and reserve some of the frying oil.
5. Step 5: In a heatproof bowl, mix together cayenne, brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt. Carefully ladle about 1/2 cup of the hot reserved oil into the spice mix and stir to combine.
6. Step 6: Place the mozzarella sticks on a wire rack and brush them evenly with the spicy oil on both sides. Serve warm with ranch dressing for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• Freeze the coated sticks fully before frying to prevent the cheese from melting out during cooking.
• For an extra kick, add a pinch more cayenne to the egg mixture before dipping.
• Use whole milk mozzarella for a richer flavor and creamier texture.
• Serve with blue cheese dressing instead of ranch for a tangier contrast.

Storage

These mozzarella sticks are best enjoyed fresh. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, bake them in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for about 8-10 minutes until crispy and heated through. Avoid microwaving to maintain crispness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these mozzarella sticks ahead of time?

Yes, you can coat and freeze the mozzarella sticks up to overnight before frying. This helps maintain their shape and prevents the cheese from leaking out.

What oil is best for frying mozzarella sticks?

Canola oil is ideal because of its neutral flavor and high smoke point, ensuring crispy and evenly cooked mozzarella sticks without burning.

Copycat Chili’s Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

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These Copycat Chili’s Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks are a spicy twist on the classic appetizer, featuring crispy breaded mozzarella sticks fried to golden perfection and coated with a flavorful cayenne-infused hot oil. Served with creamy ranch dressing, they’re perfect for snack lovers craving a spicy, cheesy bite.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 mozzarella sticks 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Mozzarella Sticks

• 1 lb. part-skim mozzarella
• 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tbsp hot sauce
• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
• Canola oil, for frying

Spicy Oil

• 2 tbsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp light brown sugar
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• About 1/2 cup reserved frying oil

To Serve

• Ranch dressing

Instructions

1. Prepare Mozzarella Sticks: Cut the mozzarella cheese into 6 rectangles approximately 2 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick to create uniform sticks for frying.
2. Set up Dredging Stations: In a shallow bowl, combine flour, kosher salt, paprika, and cayenne powder. In a second shallow bowl, whisk the eggs together with hot sauce until well mixed. Place the panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow bowl.
3. Bread the Mozzarella: Working one at a time, dredge each mozzarella stick first in the flour mixture, then dip into the egg and hot sauce mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, coat the sticks in panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the coating adheres well. Arrange the breaded sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until firm, for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
4. Heat Oil for Frying: Pour canola oil to a depth of 2 inches into a large, heavy, heatproof skillet equipped with a deep-fry thermometer. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
5. Fry the Mozzarella Sticks: Fry the frozen mozzarella sticks in batches, carefully adding them to the hot oil. Turn the sticks halfway through frying to ensure even browning, cooking each side for about 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Transfer the fried sticks to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the hot oil for the spicy coating.
6. Make the Spicy Oil: In a heatproof bowl, combine cayenne pepper, light brown sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, and kosher salt. Very carefully add about 1/2 cup of the reserved hot frying oil using a ladle, stirring steadily to blend the spices into a flavorful, spicy oil.
7. Coat Mozzarella Sticks with Spicy Oil: Transfer the fried mozzarella sticks to a wire rack and brush the spicy oil generously on both sides of each stick to infuse them with heat and flavor.
8. Serve: Serve the Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks warm alongside ranch dressing for dipping. Enjoy them as a fiery, cheesy appetizer or snack.

Notes

• Freezing the breaded mozzarella sticks before frying is crucial to keep the cheese from melting too quickly and leaking out during frying.
• Maintain the oil temperature at 350°F to ensure the sticks cook evenly to a crispy golden crust without absorbing excessive oil.
• You can adjust the cayenne and hot sauce quantities to control the level of heat according to your preference.
• Use part-skim mozzarella to reduce overall fat content while maintaining gooey texture.
• Serve immediately after coating with spicy oil for best flavor and crispness.

Keywords: Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks, spicy mozzarella sticks, copycat Chili’s recipe, fried cheese sticks, appetizer, spicy snacks