Description
Nashville Bacon Mozzarella Sticks are an easy party snack with crisp bacon and stretchy cheese plus a fiery Nashville hot finish. They are quick to assemble and simple to cook which makes them one of the best ideas for game day or a weeknight dinner. Serve them at a holiday potluck or brunch or party when you want bold flavor in a fun handheld bite. For a healthy balance pair them with crunchy pickles and fresh vegetables while keeping portions satisfying.
Ingredients
- 8 sticks Mozzarella string cheese
- 8 slices Thin cut bacon
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 12 chips Dill pickle chips
Instructions
- Wrap each of the 8 mozzarella sticks with one bacon slice so the cheese becomes mostly enclosed while small edges remain irregular and visible. Place the wrapped sticks with uneven spacing so the bacon overlaps naturally and no two pieces look exactly alike.
- Transfer all 8 wrapped sticks into the skillet and cook until the bacon touching the pan turns golden brown while the upper surfaces remain pale and soft. Shift the sticks into loose angles as they cook so some pieces sit near the center while others rest closer to the edge with natural gaps between them.
- Flip all 8 sticks so the browned sides face upward and continue cooking until the remaining bacon becomes crisp with darker irregular patches while the mozzarella softens inside. Rearrange the sticks after turning so their positions change and a few cheese edges peek through the bacon without fully spilling out.
- Combine the butter with cayenne pepper and smoked paprika plus brown sugar and garlic powder and salt until the mixture turns deep red and glossy then coat all 8 hot sticks. Toss the sticks just enough to leave uneven streaks of spicy butter across the crisp bacon while some browned ridges remain visible beneath the coating.
- Place one serving of 2 finished sticks on a white plate with 3 dill pickle chips set loosely beside them and cut one stick open to reveal the stretchy melted mozzarella. Angle the cut pieces slightly apart so the cheese center shows clearly while the crisp bacon and glossy red coating remain uneven and homemade.
Notes
Pro Tips:
- Use thin cut bacon because it crisps before the mozzarella becomes overly soft and begins leaking through the wrapped seams.
- Chill the wrapped mozzarella sticks before cooking so the cheese stays firm longer while the bacon renders and browns.
- Keep the skillet at moderate heat because very high heat can burn the bacon outside while leaving soft fatty sections underneath.
- Brush or toss with Nashville hot butter only after cooking so the spices stay vivid and the bacon keeps its crisp texture.
Storage: Cool leftover Nashville Bacon Mozzarella Sticks completely before storing so trapped steam does not soften the bacon too much. Place the sticks in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 3 days while keeping any extra pickle chips in a separate container. Reheat the sticks until hot and crisp while watching closely because the mozzarella can melt quickly and escape through the bacon seams. Freezing is possible before cooking because the wrapped cheese holds its shape well and the sticks can be cooked from chilled after a short thaw.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Cuisine: American