Buffalo Chicken Mozzarella Sticks: The Ultimate Appetizer!
Get ready for a taste sensation with these Buffalo Chicken Mozzarella Sticks that combine the legendary kick of buffalo chicken with the irresistible gooeyness of mozzarella. Perfect for game day or any gathering, these sticks are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
- Author: Layla
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying or Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Pre-packaged low-moisture part-skim mozzarella sticks
- Shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken recommended)
- Buffalo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Egg roll wrappers
- All-purpose flour (for breading)
- Eggs (for breading)
- Panko breadcrumbs (for breading)
- Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
- Optional seasonings for chicken mixture (garlic powder, onion powder, smoky paprika)
- Cream cheese (optional, for chicken mixture)
- In a medium bowl, combine your shredded cooked chicken with the buffalo sauce. Stir until the chicken is thoroughly coated. If you’re adding cream cheese, mix it in now until it's evenly distributed and creamy. Taste and adjust the spice level if needed.
- Lay out your egg roll wrappers on a clean, dry surface. Have your buffalo chicken mixture and mozzarella sticks ready. In a small bowl, whisk an egg with a tablespoon of water to create an egg wash, which will be used to seal the wrappers. If you plan to bread them, set up your breading station now: one shallow dish with flour, one with the egg wash, and one with breadcrumbs.
- Take one egg roll wrapper and orient it like a diamond (a corner pointing towards you). Place about 1-2 tablespoons of the buffalo chicken mixture just below the center of the wrapper, forming a small log. Don't overfill! Lay one mozzarella stick directly on top of the chicken mixture. Fold the bottom corner of the wrapper up over the mozzarella stick and chicken, tucking it in snugly. Fold in the left and right corners towards the center, creating an envelope shape. Brush a little egg wash on the remaining top corner of the wrapper. Roll the wrapper tightly from the bottom up towards the top corner, creating a firm, sealed log. Ensure there are no gaps for the cheese to escape. Repeat with the remaining wrappers.
- If you want an extra crispy coating, gently dredge each wrapped stick in the flour, then dip it completely in the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, roll it in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure an even coating. Place the breaded sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Place the assembled (and breaded, if applicable) Buffalo Chicken Mozzarella Sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they don't touch. Freeze for at least 30 minutes, or preferably 1-2 hours.
- For deep frying, heat 2-3 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to 350-375°F (175-190°C). Carefully lower 3-4 frozen sticks into the hot oil and fry for 2-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. For baking, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the frozen sticks in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Lightly spray them with cooking oil and bake for 12-18 minutes, flipping halfway through. For air frying, preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the frozen sticks with cooking oil and cook for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.
- Serve your Buffalo Chicken Mozzarella Sticks hot and fresh with ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or extra buffalo sauce for dipping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stick
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Keywords: Don't overfill the wrappers to prevent tearing. Ensure a proper seal to avoid cheese leakage. Freezing the sticks before cooking is critical for the best texture. Monitor oil temperature when deep frying for optimal results.