Discover the irresistible delight of Buffalo Mozzarella Sticks, combining crispy goodness, oozing cheese, and the perfect kick of spice in this appetizing journey.
When it comes to delicious appetizers, one of my all-time favorites has to be Buffalo Mozzarella Sticks. These crispy, spicy, and oh-so-cheesy treats are an absolute crowd-pleaser. In this blog post, I’ll take you on a journey to explore the magic of Buffalo Mozzarella Sticks, share some mouthwatering variations, and answer common questions to help you perfect this savory delight.
The Art of Buffalo Mozzarella Sticks
Buffalo Mozzarella Sticks are the perfect blend of crispy and cheesy, with a hint of heat. Whether you’re serving them at a party, enjoying a cozy movie night, or just looking for a delectable snack, these sticks hit the spot. They’re also surprisingly easy to make at home, and they always disappear in a flash.
So, let’s dive right in and learn how to create these mouthwatering bites.
Crafting the Perfect Buffalo Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Mozzarella cheese sticks (string cheese)
- All-purpose flour
- Bread crumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper (optional)
- Garlic powder
- Red Hot Sauce
- Unsalted Butter
The Steps:
Prepare Your Ingredients: Start by gathering all your ingredients. You’ll want to have everything ready for a smooth process.
Breading Station: Set up a breading station with three separate shallow dishes. In the first dish, add flour. In the second, add the hot sauce mixture (red hot sauce, melted butter, garlic powder, and smoked paprika). In the last bowl, add the breadcrumbs.
Coat the Cheese: Take a mozzarella stick, roll it in the flour, then dip it in the hot sauce mixture, and finally coat it with the seasoned bread crumbs mixture. Make sure each stick is evenly coated.
Chill the Sticks: Place the coated mozzarella sticks in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes. This helps the coating set and prevents cheese leakage during frying.
Bake to Perfection: Preheat the oven to 350 Degrees and place the cheese sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8-10 minutes.
Serve and Enjoy: Remove the sticks from the oven and serve while hot with more buffalo sauce, blue cheese, or ranch dressing for dipping.
Delicious Variations
While the classic Buffalo Mozzarella Sticks are a delight on their own, you can get creative and add your own twist to this appetizer:
1. Bacon-Wrapped Buffalo Mozzarella Sticks
Wrap each mozzarella stick with a strip of bacon before breading and frying for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
2. Jalapeño and Cheddar Stuffed Buffalo Mozzarella Sticks
Hollow out a jalapeño, stuff it with cheddar cheese, and wrap the mozzarella sticks with this spicy surprise before breading and frying.
3. Panko Parmesan Buffalo Mozzarella Sticks
Mix grated parmesan cheese into your panko bread crumbs for an even more flavorful and crunchy coating.
4. Sweet and Spicy Glazed Buffalo Mozzarella Sticks
After baking, drizzle the sticks with a sweet and spicy glaze made from honey and your favorite hot sauce.
Commonly Asked Questions
Absolutely, you can choose to fry them for a crispy finish. Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C), and carefully fry the coated sticks until they turn golden brown, usually taking 1-2 minutes. Enjoy the deliciously fried Buffalo Mozzarella Sticks!
If you’re not a spicy heat fan, consider using marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or a honey mustard dip for a milder flavor.
Absolutely! You can prepare and bread the sticks ahead of time and freeze them. When ready to serve, you can fry or bake them directly from the freezer.
Freezing the coated sticks before frying is the secret to success. This step sets the breading, creating a barrier that keeps the cheese intact during frying.
Buffalo Cheese Sticks
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 1x
Description
Indulge in the perfect blend of crispy and cheesy with Buffalo Mozzarella Sticks. Discover the ultimate recipe, learn to bake or fry them, and explore delicious variations. A must-try snack that’s simply irresistible!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. packaged mozzarella string cheese sticks (string cheese)
- 3 c. breadcrumbs
- 2 c. flour
- 2 c. Hot Sauce
- 2 tbsp. Unsalted Butter
- ½ tsp. Garlic Powder
- ¼ tsp. Smoked paprika
- Garnish: A side of blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing for dipping and chopped green onions
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the hot sauce, melted butter, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Stir until the ingredients are well blended, creating a flavorful buffalo sauce.
- In separate bowls, place the flour, breadcrumbs, and the buffalo sauce.
- Take a mozzarella cheese stick and coat it in the flour, ensuring it’s evenly covered.
- Next, dip the flour-coated cheese stick into the buffalo sauce, making sure it’s well coated with the spicy mixture.
- Then, roll the buffalo-coated cheese stick in the breadcrumbs, covering it completely. To achieve a crispy finish, you can double-coat the sticks by repeating the buffalo sauce and breadcrumb steps.
- Place the coated mozzarella sticks on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each stick.
- Once all the sticks are on the baking sheet, lightly spray them with cooking oil or drizzle a bit of oil over them to help achieve a crispy texture during baking.
- Bake the mozzarella sticks in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and the cheese inside becomes gooey.
- Carefully remove the baked Buffalo Mozzarella Sticks from the oven and let them cool for a minute or two before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: buffalo mozzarella sticks recipe, buffalo wild wings mozzarella sticks, mozzarella cheese sticks recipe
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