Nashville Hot Honey Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
Crispy, golden mozzarella sticks are given a fiery and sweet twist with a Nashville hot honey glaze. This recipe combines the irresistible crunch of panko-breaded mozzarella fried to perfection, then brushed with a buttery, spicy, and sweet hot honey sauce for a delicious appetizer or snack. Served with cool ranch dressing, these Nashville Hot Honey Mozzarella Sticks deliver an exciting blend of flavors and textures guaranteed to delight cheese lovers and spice enthusiasts alike.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Mozzarella Sticks:
- 1 block low-moisture whole milk mozzarella
- 1 cup flour
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Neutral frying oil (e.g., canola or vegetable), enough for deep frying
For the Nashville Hot Sauce:
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp hot sauce or sriracha
For Serving:
- Ranch dressing
- (Optional) BUBBL’R Triple Berry Breez’r beverage
Instructions
- Prep the cheese: Slice the low-moisture whole milk mozzarella block into approximately ½ inch thick sticks to prepare for breading.
- Set up breading station: Arrange three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs mixed evenly with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- Bread the sticks: Dredge each mozzarella stick first in flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally roll thoroughly in the seasoned panko mixture. For an extra crispy coating, dip again in the egg and panko mixture.
- Freeze: Place all coated mozzarella sticks on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for 10 to 15 minutes to help the breading adhere during frying and prevent cheese from melting too quickly.
- Make the sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the unsalted butter, brown sugar, and honey. Stir occasionally until fully melted and bubbling gently. Remove from heat briefly to stir in smoked paprika and hot sauce or sriracha, then keep on low heat to stay warm.
- Fry the sticks: Heat neutral frying oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry the mozzarella sticks in small batches (2 to 3 at a time) for about 4 to 5 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Drain the fried sticks on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Glaze and serve: While still hot, quickly brush each fried mozzarella stick with the prepared Nashville hot honey sauce. Serve immediately with ranch dressing on the side for dipping. Optionally pair with a refreshing BUBBL’R Triple Berry Breez’r beverage.
Notes
- Freezing the coated sticks before frying prevents the cheese from melting too quickly and the coating from falling off.
- Use neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as canola or vegetable oil, for frying to achieve a crisp crust.
- Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper and hot sauce in the sauce to control the heat level.
- To keep mozzarella sticks extra crispy, serve immediately after glazing as the sauce can soften the coating if left too long.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute panko breadcrumbs and flour with gluten-free alternatives.
Keywords: Nashville hot honey, mozzarella sticks, fried cheese sticks, spicy appetizer, crunchy snack, panko breaded mozzarella