Crimson Coward Cheez Nugs are whole-milk mozzarella bites that the Nashville hot chicken chain added to its permanent menu nationwide on September 18, 2026. Coated in a golden, herb-seasoned breadcrumb crust and fried to order, they’re built as a “heat tamer” for the brand’s spiciest tiers and come with a choice of house Crimson Sauce or cool ranch for dipping.
What the Crimson Coward Cheez Nugs Launch Includes
Crimson Coward Nashville Hot Chicken announced the nationwide debut of Cheez Nugs in a press release distributed via PR Newswire on September 18, 2026. The fast-casual chain, founded in Downey, California in 2019, says the mozzarella bites are made with 100% whole-milk cheese in a herb-seasoned breadcrumb crust, fried fresh to order for a crisp shell and a melty center.
- Available now for dine-in, takeout, mobile app ordering, and third-party delivery at every operational location.
- Sold as a standalone side with a choice of scratch-made Crimson Sauce or cool ranch, or stacked directly into the chain’s sandwiches, sliders, and wraps.
- Locations currently operate in California, Washington, Texas, Maryland, and Virginia.
- Made with certified Halal chicken and beef across the menu, per the brand.
“Our guests love the bold, layered heat of our spice blends, but they wanted a craveable, premium bite that complements the fire,” said Ali Hijazi, Founder and CEO of Crimson Coward, in the announcement. “Cheez Nugs deliver on every front: authentic whole-milk mozzarella, serious crunch, and the perfect flavor balance whether you’re dipping them in sauce or pairing them with our spiciest tenders.”
Crimson Coward frames the nuggets as a functional pairing, not just a new side: the brand says the natural milk fats in whole-milk mozzarella bind to capsaicin molecules, offering a savory break between bites at its hottest tiers, which run from Country (no heat) up to Mild, Medium, Hot, and BURRRRN, BABY, BURN.
If you like the fried-mozzarella-and-heat combination at home, our Crispy Dumpling Wrapper Mozzarella Sticks with Hot Honey and Hot Honey Sauce for Chicken hit a similar sweet-heat-and-cheese note.
Does This Affect a Recipe You’re Planning to Make?
If you were already planning to fry up a batch of our Crispy Dumpling Wrapper Mozzarella Sticks with Hot Honey for a game-day spread, Cheez Nugs are a useful side-by-side comparison: Crimson Coward’s version leans on a savory breadcrumb crust built to cool down its own spicy chicken, while the homemade recipe leans sweet with a hot honey drizzle. Making the mozzarella sticks at home also means you control the heat level and can skip a restaurant trip if Crimson Coward isn’t in your state yet.
Is This Common?
Yes. Fast-casual chains regularly test a limited-time side item and then graduate it to the permanent menu once it proves out with regulars — Crimson Coward is following that same pattern here rather than introducing a new format. What is less common is the explicit “heat tamer” framing: most chains market a new fried side purely on flavor, while Crimson Coward is positioning Cheez Nugs specifically as a tool for surviving its hottest tiers, tying the new item directly back to the brand’s core identity as a hot chicken specialist.
Quick Questions
Where can I get Crimson Coward Cheez Nugs? They’re available now at every operational Crimson Coward location — currently in California, Washington, Texas, Maryland, and Virginia — for dine-in, takeout, mobile ordering, and delivery, per the brand’s announcement.
What are Cheez Nugs made of? Crimson Coward says they’re 100% whole-milk mozzarella coated in a golden, herb-seasoned breadcrumb crust, fried fresh to order.
Are they a limited-time item? No — the brand describes Cheez Nugs as a permanent menu addition, not a limited-time offer.
Update Log
Sept. 18, 2026: Article published based on Crimson Coward Nashville Hot Chicken’s PR Newswire announcement of the nationwide Cheez Nugs launch.
