Description

Crispy and spicy Buffalo Chicken Mozzarella Sticks combine shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese, coated in seasoned panko breadcrumbs and fried to golden perfection. Served with blue cheese or ranch dressing, they make a perfect appetizer or snack for game day or a party.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Mixture

1 cup cooked shredded chicken
1/2 cup buffalo sauce (more to taste)
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Breading Station

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Other

Cooking oil (for frying)
Blue cheese or ranch dressing (for serving)

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce, adjusting the amount to your preferred spice level. Add the shredded mozzarella cheese and mix until fully combined.
Form the Cheese Sticks: Take about 2 tablespoons of the buffalo chicken mixture and shape it into stick shapes roughly the size of mozzarella sticks. Place them on a lined baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
Set Up Breading Station: Prepare three shallow bowls—one with flour, the second with beaten eggs, and the third with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Bread the Sticks: Remove the frozen sticks from the freezer. Coat each stick first in flour, shaking off the excess, then dip in beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the panko breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
Heat the Oil: In a large frying pan, heat about 1 inch of cooking oil over medium heat. Test readiness by dropping in a breadcrumb; if it sizzles, the oil is hot enough.
Fry the Mozzarella Sticks: Carefully place the breaded buffalo chicken sticks into the hot oil in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
Drain and Serve: Use a slotted spoon to transfer the sticks to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve hot with blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping.

Notes

Freezing the formed sticks before breading helps maintain their shape during frying.
Adjust the buffalo sauce quantity to control the heat level.
Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 350°F for best frying results.
For a healthier version, consider baking the sticks at 425°F for 15-20 minutes until golden.
Leftover sticks can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated in an oven or air fryer.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Appetizer
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 3 sticks
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 750 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0.2 g
Carbohydrates: 20 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 18 g
Cholesterol: 85 mg

Keywords: buffalo chicken mozzarella sticks, buffalo chicken appetizer, fried mozzarella sticks, buffalo snack, game day appetizer