Nashville Hot Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
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4.7 from 17 reviews
Nashville Hot Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks are a spicy, savory appetizer featuring gooey mozzarella cheese wrapped in crispy bacon and coated with a flavorful hot sauce blend. Baked to perfection, these sticks deliver a delicious kick with a smoky, spicy crust that pairs perfectly with cooling dips or enjoyed on their own.
Total Time:30 minutes
Yield:8 servings
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
8 mozzarella sticks
8 slices bacon
Hot Sauce Coating
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
Tools
toothpicks
Instructions
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Wrap Mozzarella Sticks: Take each mozzarella stick and wrap it tightly with one slice of bacon. Secure the ends of the bacon with a toothpick to ensure it stays wrapped during baking.
Prepare Hot Sauce Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the hot sauce, melted unsalted butter, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix well to create a spicy and flavorful coating.
Coat Bacon-Wrapped Sticks: Generously brush the hot sauce mixture over each bacon-wrapped mozzarella stick, ensuring even coverage on all sides for maximum flavor.
Bake: Place the coated sticks on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Bake until the bacon is crispy and the cheese inside is melted and gooey.
Cool and Serve: Remove the sticks from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes to avoid burning. Serve warm as a spicy appetizer or snack.
Notes
Use thick-cut bacon for a meatier bite and better wrapping.
For extra crispiness, broil for 1-2 minutes after baking, but watch closely to prevent burning.
Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing to balance the heat.
Make sure to secure the bacon well with toothpicks to prevent it from unraveling while baking.
Can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking; just add a couple of extra minutes to cook time.
