Nashville Hot Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks
Okay, so listen, sometimes you just need something utterly ridiculous, completely over the top, and unapologetically delicious. Something that screams, “I am an adult and I will eat bacon-wrapped cheese if I want to!” Enter the Nashville Hot Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks. It’s exactly what it sounds like: crispy, smoky bacon hugging gooey, melty mozzarella, all jazzed up with that signature fiery Nashville Hot kick. Forget your fancy appetizers; this is the real MVP of game day, movie night, or “I survived Tuesday” celebrations. Trust me, your taste buds are about to throw a party, and your self-control? Well, it just went on vacation.
The first time I made these, my kitchen looked like a mozzarella explosion zone. My husband, bless his heart, walked in right as I was trying to de-stick a rogue piece of bacon from the ceiling (don’t ask). He took one look, rolled his eyes, and then, naturally, devoured half the batch before they even hit the serving plate. The kids, meanwhile, were on a scavenger hunt for the “least spicy” one, which, let’s be real, doesn’t exist here. They still polished them off, dousing them in ranch, of course. It’s a messy endeavor, sure, but the silence at the table as everyone is happily munching is pure gold. Plus, watching my husband sweat just a *little* bit from the heat? Priceless.
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Why You’ll Love This Nashville Hot Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks
* Cheesy Nirvana: It’s mozzarella sticks, but make it *extra*. That warm, stretchy, melty cheese pull is a guaranteed mood booster.
* Bacon, Duh: Everything’s better with bacon, especially when it’s crispy and wrapped around more deliciousness. It’s science.
* The Nashville Hot Kick: Not just any spice, but that perfect balance of heat, a little sweetness, and a smoky depth that makes your mouth water for more.
* Impressive, Yet Easy: Looks like you slaved away, but really, it’s pretty straightforward. Your guests will be bowing down to your culinary genius.
* Addictively Good: You can’t just have one. Consider yourself warned. These disappear faster than my kids’ allowances on candy.
Time-Saving Hacks
– Pre-cooked bacon slices are your absolute best friend here. Just crisp them up a bit before wrapping, and you’re golden. Less grease, less time.
– Air fryer! Seriously, if you have one, use it. No preheating a huge oven, fewer dishes, and perfectly crispy results in half the time. It’s basically magic.
– Store-bought Nashville Hot seasoning blend. Why reinvent the wheel when someone’s already perfected the spicy magic in a jar? Just sprinkle and go.
Kitchen Confessions
– My disaster story involves under-chilling the mozzarella sticks. They melted into glorious, flat, cheesy puddles before the bacon even had a chance to crisp. We ate it with forks. No regrets, just a slight mess.
– My kids once tried to “help” by sprinkling the Nashville Hot seasoning on *after* baking, which meant it mostly just fell off. It looked like a confetti explosion, tasted less spicy, and made me question my life choices.
– Okay, I’ll admit it: sometimes I skip draining the bacon grease perfectly. A little extra sizzle and flavor, right? It’s just adding to the “rustic charm” of my kitchen.
What to Serve It With
Honestly, they’re perfect on their own, but if you’re feeling fancy, a side of cool ranch dressing or even a blue cheese dip helps balance the heat. Some crisp celery sticks or carrot sticks wouldn’t go amiss either – purely for moral support and the illusion of health.
Tips & Mistakes
Always, *always* freeze your mozzarella sticks for at least 30 minutes, or even better, an hour, before wrapping and baking. This helps them hold their shape and prevents premature melt-out. Wrap the bacon tightly, but not so tight it squeezes the life out of the cheese. And don’t overcrowd your pan, or you’ll end up with steamed bacon instead of crispy perfection!
Storage Tips
Keep it in the fridge… assuming there’s anything left. Midnight cold bites? Honestly better than fresh.
Variations and Substitutions
Swap whatever—honey ↔ sugar, tamari ↔ soy sauce—or skip a step and call it rustic. Still edible. For less heat, reduce the amount of Nashville Hot seasoning or mix it with a little brown sugar. Want a smoky twist? Add a pinch of smoked paprika to your seasoning blend. If you don’t have regular mozzarella sticks, string cheese works perfectly fine!
Frequently Asked Questions
Nashville Hot Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz mozzarella cheese sticks Choose the low-moisture kind for better frying.
- 8 slices bacon Thick-cut bacon works best.
- 1 tbsp Nashville hot chicken seasoning Or adjust to taste.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour For coating.
- 2 eggs large eggs Beaten.
- 1 cup bread crumbs Panko adds extra crunch.
- 1 tbsp olive oil For frying.
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Wrap each mozzarella stick with a slice of bacon securely.
- Dredge each bacon-wrapped stick in flour, shaking off the excess.
- Dip the floured sticks into the beaten eggs, then coat with bread crumbs.
- Place the sticks on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
- Sprinkle the hot chicken seasoning over the sticks.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until crispy.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Featured Comments
“This saucy recipe was turned out amazing — the tender really stands out. Thanks!”
“Super easy and family favorite! My family asked for seconds. Saving this one.”
