Nashville Hot Mozzarella Bites with Buttermilk Ranch
Use our BakeBot Ai Chat for instant answers.
"Nashville Hot Mozz Copycat Recipe"
Serves 4 | Prep Time 45 PT45M | Cook Time 15 PT1H | CheeseWhy I Love This Recipe
Nashville hot chicken, which inspired this dish, originated in the early 20th century and was born from a fiery act of revenge! The story goes that a scorned lover tried to sabotage Thornton Prince's chicken with an excessive amount of cayenne pepper, but instead of being put off, he loved it, leading to the creation of Nashville hot chicken.
Ingredients You'll Need
8 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper, divided
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
1 egg
1 tablespoon hot sauce
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 cup vegetable oil, for frying
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup buttermilk, additional for ranch
1 teaspoon dried dill
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon mustard powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
***For the Mozzarella Bites:***
1. Marinate the mozzarella cubes in 1 cup of buttermilk for at least 30 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavor. Drain them well before use.
2. In a shallow dish, mix 1 cup of flour, paprika, 1/2 tablespoon cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and half of the salt and pepper.
3. In another bowl, beat the egg with hot sauce until well combined.
4. In a third bowl, combine the remaining flour and breadcrumbs.
5. Dredge each mozzarella cube first in the flour mixture, then dip it in the egg mixture, and finally coat it in the breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to ensure the coating sticks.
6. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
7. Fry the breaded mozzarella cubes in batches for about 2–3 minutes, until golden and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and drain on paper towels.
8. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter completely and stir in the remaining cayenne pepper, honey, and a pinch of salt. Toss the fried mozzarella bites gently in this sauce until well coated.
***For the Ranch:***
1. In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, additional buttermilk, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
2. Mix until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning according to taste and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Serve the hot mozzarella bites immediately with the house-made ranch on the side for dipping.
Pairs Well With
Pair this dish with an ice-cold lager beer to balance the heat, or enjoy it with a refreshing cucumber lemonade for a non-alcoholic option.
Questions, Comments & Reviews
introducing BakeBot, your ultimate sous chef!
Revolutionize your kitchen experience with AI-powered creativity. From crafting original recipes to tweaking your favorites, BakeBot's got your back. Seamlessly upload and share your culinary genius on BakeSpace. Elevate your cooking game today with BakeBot!
Make Your Own Cookbook
Preserve (and even sell) your recipes. Great for groups, fundraising, book previews, bridal gifts & more. Makes the perfect sentimental gift.
Learn More
