Nashville Hot Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks
Nashville Hot Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks
These Nashville hot bacon wrapped mozzarella sticks are a dead-on Chili’s copycat — crispy bacon wrapped around melty mozzarella, brushed with fiery Nashville hot butter. No frying required. Air fryer or oven, 25 minutes, and they disappear in seconds.
Why This Works
- No breading, no deep frying — bacon is the coating
- Air fryer ready — crispier and faster
- Freezer friendly — assemble ahead
- Chili’s flavor at home
Ingredients
- 12 mozzarella sticks (string cheese)
- 12 strips thin-cut bacon
- Toothpicks
Nashville Hot Butter: 4 tbsp melted butter, 2 tbsp cayenne, 1 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp black pepper
For dipping: Ranch or honey mustard
How to Make Them
Step 1 — Freeze mozzarella sticks 30+ minutes.
Step 2 — Wrap each with bacon in a spiral. Secure with toothpicks. Freeze 15 more minutes.
Step 3 — Air fryer: 390°F, 8–10 min, flip halfway. Oven: 425°F on wire rack, 18–20 min.
Step 4 — Brush with Nashville hot butter immediately. Remove toothpicks. Serve with ranch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does cheese leak?
Not frozen enough. Double-freeze: 30 min before wrapping, 15 min after.
Keto friendly?
Yes — naturally low carb. Omit brown sugar for strict keto.
Can I freeze before cooking?
Yes — freeze assembled, cook from frozen at 390°F for 12–14 min.
Best bacon?
Thin-cut wraps tighter and crisps faster.
How hot is it?
2 tbsp cayenne = genuinely hot. Cut to 1 tbsp for medium, 1 tsp for mild.
Different cheese?
Mozzarella melts slowly (ideal). Pepper jack for extra heat.
Without toothpicks?
Place seam-side down in air fryer, don’t flip first half.
Oven vs air fryer?
Air fryer is crispier and faster. Oven works for larger batches.
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Indulge in Nashville Hot Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks Today!
Irresistible bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks with a fiery Nashville hot chicken seasoning, perfect for snacking or entertaining.
Ingredients
- 6 Mozzarella cheese sticks
- 12 Bacon slices
- Nashville hot chicken seasoning
- Toothpicks
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the mozzarella cheese sticks in half to create shorter sticks.
- Sprinkle Nashville hot chicken seasoning on each bacon slice.
- Wrap each mozzarella stick with bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Arrange the sticks on the baking sheet.
- Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until crispy and cheese is melted.
- Cool slightly before serving.
