Nashville Hot Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
These Nashville Hot Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks are a spicy, cheesy appetizer featuring crispy bacon wrapped around gooey mozzarella sticks, generously brushed with a flavorful hot sauce blend. Baked to perfection, they offer a perfect combination of heat, smokiness, and creamy texture, making them a crowd-pleasing snack or party treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 8 mozzarella sticks 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Sticks
- 8 mozzarella sticks
Bacon
- 8 slices bacon
Hot Sauce Glaze
- 1/4 cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Other
- toothpicks (for securing bacon)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Wrap mozzarella sticks: Take each mozzarella stick and wrap it tightly with a slice of bacon. Secure the ends of the bacon with a toothpick to keep it wrapped during baking.
- Prepare the hot sauce glaze: In a small bowl, combine the hot sauce, melted butter, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix well until fully blended.
- Brush the sticks: Generously brush the bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks with the hot sauce mixture, coating them evenly to ensure maximum flavor.
- Bake: Arrange the coated sticks on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and the cheese inside has melted.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let the mozzarella sticks cool for a few minutes to avoid burns and allow the cheese to set slightly before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute the mozzarella sticks with halloumi or string cheese for variations.
- For extra crispiness, broil the sticks for the last 1-2 minutes but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the spice level according to your preference.
- Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing for a creamy contrast to the spicy sticks.
- Be cautious when eating as the melted cheese can be very hot immediately after baking.
Keywords: Nashville hot, bacon wrapped, mozzarella sticks, spicy appetizer, baked cheese sticks
