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Copycat Chili’s Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 103 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://flavorsbymaya.com/copycat-chilis-nashville-hot-mozzarella-sticks-recipe/