If you’re craving a snack that brilliantly combines heat, gooey cheese, and crispy goodness, this Nashville Hot Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks Recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine mozzarella sticks enveloped in smoky beef bacon, baked to crispy perfection, then drenched in a fiery, buttery Nashville hot glaze that wakes up every taste bud. Whether it’s game day, a party appetizer, or just a weekend treat, this recipe is the ultimate spicy comfort food that’s as fun to make as it is to devour.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this dish lies in its simplicity and balance—each ingredient plays a crucial role in layering flavors and ensuring that perfect sizzle, melt, and spice combo. You don’t need a long grocery list to impress, just the basics combined with a few fiery accents.
- Mozzarella sticks: The melty, creamy center that’s essential for that irresistible cheese pull.
- Beef bacon slices: Adds robust smokiness and a crispy, hearty wrap around the cheese.
- Hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot): The backbone of the Nashville heat, delivering tanginess and heat.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Blends with spices for a rich, luscious glaze that coats perfectly.
- Cayenne pepper: Brings the signature fiery punch that Nashville hot lovers crave.
- Smoked paprika: Adds a deep smoky flavor, complementing the bacon beautifully.
- Garlic powder: Infuses a subtle aromatic depth.
- Onion powder: Contributes a mild sweetness and complexity.
- Black pepper: Offers just the right hint of sharp spice to round things out.
- Toothpicks (optional): Perfect for securing bacon wraps, preventing slips while cooking.
How to Make Nashville Hot Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Mozzarella Sticks
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) or your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Take each mozzarella stick and wrap it tightly with one slice of beef bacon, securing with a toothpick if needed to keep it snug. This is a key step because it ensures that bacon crisps up without letting the cheese ooze out during cooking. For the best possible cheesy, crispy finish, place these wrapped sticks on a parchment-lined tray and freeze them for 30 minutes to an hour. This chilling step is a game changer, helping the cheese stay put until the bacon is perfectly cooked.
Step 2: Cook Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks
Once your sticks are chilled, arrange them carefully on a parchment-lined baking sheet if using the oven, or place them in the air fryer basket. If baking, set a timer for 12 to 15 minutes; air frying usually takes less, around 8 to 12 minutes. Make sure to flip the sticks halfway through cooking so every side gets that mouthwatering crispiness. Keep your eyes peeled for the bacon to reach a deep golden-brown and the cheese inside to become molten and stretchy — this is when you know they’re ready!
Step 3: Prepare Nashville Hot Glaze
While your mozzarella sticks are transforming into crispy cheese bombs, it’s time to whip up the signature glaze that gives this recipe its bold personality. Combine hot sauce with melted unsalted butter in a small saucepan, then whisk in cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Warm this mixture over low heat for about 2 to 3 minutes, just enough to meld the flavors without boiling. The result is a spicy, aromatic glaze that is pure Nashville hot sauce magic.
Step 4: Glaze and Serve
After the mozzarella sticks emerge piping hot and crispy, immediately brush them generously with the warm Nashville hot glaze. Make sure each stick is thoroughly coated for maximum flavor impact. Serve them right away to enjoy the perfect contrast of crunchy bacon, molten cheese, and fiery glaze. These snacks are as irresistible as they sound — the kind your friends will beg you to make over and over again.
How to Serve Nashville Hot Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
Garnishes
For a touch of freshness that complements the spicy richness, sprinkling chopped fresh chives or parsley over the top works wonderfully. To cool off the heat, ranch dressing or blue cheese dip are classic, delicious options. Adding tangy pickle chips on the side offers a refreshing crunch and acidity that balances the heat and fat so well.
Side Dishes
These bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks hold their own as a hearty snack but also pair beautifully with light, fresh sides. A crisp side salad with a citrus vinaigrette or crunchy celery sticks offers a palate cleanser between bites. If you want to amp up the comfort, serve alongside loaded potato skins or spicy coleslaw to play with the smoky, spicy flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful with your presentation by skewering the mozzarella sticks with cocktail picks for easy dipping and sharing. You could also lay them out on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of various dipping sauces—from classic ranch to a cooling cucumber yogurt dip. Serving with uneven slices of thick bread or pita chips makes it a more filling party platter everyone can enjoy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (and we know that’s a rare scenario!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep in mind that the crispy bacon might soften a bit, but reheating can help revive some crunch.
Freezing
For prepping in advance, place the bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment and freeze them individually before glazing. Once frozen solid, transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 1 month. This lets you enjoy your Nashville Hot Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks Recipe anytime with minimal effort.
Reheating
To reheat and regain some of that crispy bacon goodness, use an oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5 to 7 minutes. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep the texture close to freshly made — it tends to make the bacon rubbery and the cheese clumpy.
FAQs
Can I use regular pork bacon instead of beef bacon?
Absolutely! Pork bacon works just fine and adds a slightly different but equally delicious flavor. Beef bacon has a richer, meatier taste that pairs beautifully with Nashville hot glaze, but pork bacon will still deliver great results.
Is it necessary to freeze the wrapped sticks before cooking?
Freezing is highly recommended to prevent the cheese from melting too fast and leaking out during cooking. It helps the mozzarella stay solid enough to get a perfect crispy bacon wrap without making a mess.
Can I make the glaze less spicy?
Yes! Adjust the cayenne pepper and hot sauce amounts according to your heat tolerance. Reducing the cayenne or swapping to a milder hot sauce keeps the glaze flavorful but less fiery.
What dipping sauces go best with these mozzarella sticks?
Ranch dressing, blue cheese dip, and even a cooling cucumber yogurt sauce are fantastic accompaniments. They help balance the heat and add creamy textures that complement the crispy sticks.
Can this recipe be air fried instead of baked?
Yes, the air fryer works wonderfully here! It cooks the bacon evenly and crisps it up quickly, usually in less time than an oven. Just remember to flip halfway through cooking for best results.
Final Thoughts
There’s something simply irresistible about the combination of spicy, smoky, and cheesy that makes this Nashville Hot Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks Recipe a must-try for any cheese lover or spice enthusiast. It’s quick enough for a last-minute craving but impressive enough to steal the show at any gathering. So grab your ingredients, get wrapping, and prepare for a flavor-packed snack that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Print
Nashville Hot Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 30-60 minutes freezing time)
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes (oven) or 8-12 minutes (air fryer)
- Total Time: 45-60 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Nashville Hot Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks combine crispy beef bacon, gooey melted mozzarella, and a spicy, flavorful Nashville hot sauce glaze for an irresistible appetizer that’s quick and easy to prepare. Perfectly crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside with a devilishly spicy kick, these snacks are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Mozzarella Sticks
- 8 mozzarella sticks
- 8 slices beef bacon
- toothpicks (optional)
Nashville Hot 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
Instructions
- Prepare Mozzarella Sticks: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Wrap each mozzarella stick tightly with a slice of beef bacon. Secure with a toothpick if needed to keep the bacon in place. For best results and to prevent the cheese from melting too quickly, place the wrapped sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Cook Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks: Arrange the bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks on a parchment-lined baking sheet for the oven, or place them in the air fryer basket if using. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes or air fry for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. Cook until the beef bacon is crispy and the cheese inside is melted and gooey.
- Prepare Nashville Hot Glaze: While the mozzarella sticks cook, combine the hot sauce, melted unsalted butter, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper in a small saucepan. Whisk the mixture over low heat for 2-3 minutes until warm, aromatic, and well combined. Avoid boiling the glaze.
- Glaze and Serve: Remove the cooked mozzarella sticks from the oven or air fryer. Generously brush each stick with the prepared Nashville Hot Glaze, making sure to cover all sides. Serve immediately and enjoy! Optionally, garnish with fresh chives, ranch dressing, or pickle chips to balance the heat with cooling flavors.
Notes
- Freezing the bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks before cooking helps prevent the cheese from leaking out during cooking.
- You can adjust the cayenne pepper amount in the glaze to control the spice level.
- Be mindful of the cooking time based on your oven or air fryer to avoid burning the bacon.
- Use beef bacon for a more pronounced flavor, but regular pork bacon can be substituted if preferred.
- Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing for added creaminess and balance.
