Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks (Chili’s Copycat)

If you love this classic restaurant and bar appetizer but crave a little heat, our Chili’s copycat Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks are exactly what you need. Each stick has gooey, melted mozzarella cheese wrapped in a crispy, seasoned panko coating that’s brushed with the most addictive hot honey butter for a blend of sweet, spicy, smoky, crispy, and creamy. Basically, all of our favorite flavors and textures wrapped in one.

While they take a bit longer to make than our Wonton Wrapper Mozzarella Sticks, this appetizer still comes together quickly and can even be batch-made and frozen for a quick and easy appetizer as needed. Whether you’re hosting game day, need a crowd-pleasing party appetizer, or just want to treat yourself to your favorite restaurant app at home, these spicy mozzarella sticks will be a hit.

How to Make Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks

Mozzarella Sticks Ingredients

Hot Honey Butter Rub Ingredients

Process

1. Preheat oil in a pot with tall sides to 350˚F. In a shallow bowl combine flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
2. In another shallow bowl beat together two eggs. In a third shallow bowl add panko. Dredge mozzarella pieces into flour, shaking to remove any excess.Then dip each piece into the egg mixture until fully coated. Finally, dredge the pieces in the panko breadcrumbs until fully coated. Shake off any excess.

3. Fry a few pieces of mozzarella in hot oil, in batches, for 3 to 4 minutes or until well browned and crisp. Transfer to a cooling rack lined baking sheet.
4. In a small bowl combine all hot honey butter ingredients.

5. Carefully brush a thin layer of the butter mixture onto each piece of mozzarella until fully and evenly coated.
6. Transfer pieces to a platter and serve with a side of ranch dressing for dipping.

Tips for the BEST Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks

Tested, tasted, and tested again, these are our top tips for the best mozzarella sticks every single time.

• Use the right cheese: Low-moisture whole milk mozzarella will hold its shape best during frying. Don’t try to skip a step by using string cheese sticks, as these tend to have too much moisture and can make a mess while frying.
• Set your breading station up for success: Use a three-bowl breading system to keep things simple and clean. A bowl for the seasoned flour, one for the beaten eggs, and another for the panko. Keep one hand dry, using it to dredge the cheese in flour, and place it in the egg dish. Using the other hand for dipping in egg, and then back to the dry hand for coating in panko.
• Keep an eye on the oil temperature: Try to keep the oil at a consistent 350˚F. When you add the cheese, the temperature will drop, but you don’t want to overcorrect it
• Don’t overcook them: The mozzarella sticks should only take about 3 to 4 minutes to warm through and crisp up. If it takes longer, you may want to make sure your oil is hot enough. Avoid cooking for too long or at too high a temperature, as this could cause the cheese to melt out of the breading or the breading to burn.
• Use a cooling rack: Instead of setting your cooked mozzarella sticks on a pan or plate, let them cool and rest on a cooling rack. This prevents the bottoms from getting soggy and keeps every bite crispy.

Freeze Ahead and Reheating Instructions

One of the best things about these Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks is that they freeze so well, making them perfect for meal prep or always having an appetizer ready to go!

How to freeze mozzarella sticks:

• Follow the recipe through step 5, so that you have fully breaded, but uncooked, mozzarella sticks.
• Place the breaded sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer and freeze for one to two hours or until frozen solid.
• Transfer the frozen breaded sticks to a freezer-safe bag or container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• When ready to cook, fry directly from frozen, following the rest of the directions, adding an extra one to two minutes to the cooking time.

How to reheat cooked mozzarella sticks:

If you have leftovers, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Then follow these instructions to reheat them:

• In the oven: Preheat oven to 400°F and place refrigerated mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet with 1 to 2 inches of space between them. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until heated through and crispy. For extra crispiness, broil for the last 1-2 minutes, while watching them carefully so they do not burn.
• In the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F and place the mozzarella sticks in a single layer in the basket. Air fry for 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even heating.
• In the microwave: Place the cheese sticks on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 30-45 seconds or until warmed through. This method will heat the cheese, but the coating will not be as crispy.

Variations

While we think these Nashville Hot Mozzarella Sticks are perfect as written, here are some fun ways to customize them:

• Adjust the heat: For a milder spice, reduce the cayenne to 1/2 teaspoon or leave it out altogether. For extra heat, add an additional half teaspoon of cayenne to the hot honey, or add it directly into the coating.
• Swap the cheese: Not every cheese can be fried in a stick without losing its shape, but halloumi and paneer work well without freezing first, and pepper Jack, Munster, and provolone can also be used, but make sure to freeze them for 1-2 hours before frying to help them keep their shape.
• Customize the butter sauce: You can really get creative with the butter coating on these mozzarella sticks. Stir in fresh herbs, minced garlic, a squeeze of lemon juice, or a splash of your favorite hot sauce or buffalo sauce.

What to Serve with Mozzarella Sticks

While a dish of ranch dressing may be all you need, try some of these other fun dipping options:

• Buffalo Sauce
• Blue Cheese Dressing
• Masago Sauce
• Marinara
• Sweet Chili Sauce

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