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This upgraded low carb snack puts a fiery twist on cheese sticks by wrapping them in bacon and coating with Nashville hot spices. The crunchy pork exterior works perfectly with the gooey cheese inside, while the signature hot seasoning brings all the kick without any carb-heavy coating.
I came up with these when I needed a last-second low carb option for a football party. I wanted something that didn't seem like diet food. Everyone was shocked when I told them they were keto-friendly, and now they ask for them at every get-together, even friends who don't care about cutting carbs.
Ingredients
- Mozzarella sticks: They're the ideal cheese for this dish since they keep their shape while cooking but still give you that amazing stretchy pull when you bite in
- Bacon: Go for middle-thickness strips since the really thick ones take forever to get crispy and the super thin ones often tear when you're wrapping
- Hot sauce: This creates our Nashville flavor base so grab Frank's or another Louisiana-style brand for the right taste
- Cayenne pepper: This makes or breaks the Nashville hot experience so add more or less depending on how much heat you can handle
- Smoked paprika: Brings a hint of smokiness that makes the whole thing taste more complete
- Garlic powder: Adds flavor without burning like fresh garlic might at high heat
- Onion powder: Gives a nice savory touch that works against the spiciness try to find granulated for better texture
- Black pepper: Grinding it fresh makes a huge difference in the final taste
- Butter: This helps all the spices stick while adding a rich flavor go with unsalted so you can control the saltiness yourself
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Ready Your Oven:
- Turn it up to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment so the cheese doesn't stick when it melts a bit and cleanup won't be a pain
- Mix Your Hot Sauce:
- Stir all the seasonings into melted butter in a small bowl making sure to break up any clumps so every bite has the same great flavor
- Cover Cheese With Bacon:
- Starting at one end wrap the bacon slightly diagonally with a bit of overlap as you go and maybe stick a toothpick in if it won't stay put
- Paint On The Spices:
- Take a pastry brush and slather that spicy butter mix all over making sure to get it in between all the bacon folds for the best flavor
- Cook Them Up:
- Put them on your parchment with some room between each stick and bake for 15-20 minutes but keep an eye on them at the end since they can go from perfect to mess really fast
- Let Them Sit:
- Once they're out of the oven give them 3-5 minutes to cool down a bit so the cheese firms up enough not to pour out when someone takes that first bite
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The cayenne really makes these special. I found this out the hard way when I grabbed regular paprika by mistake once. The flavor was just wrong. My Tennessee-born uncle immediately pointed out something wasn't right. Since that cooking fail, I've been super careful about measuring the cayenne exactly.
Temperature Control Tips
Getting these just right means the cheese stays together but still stretches when pulled. How you handle the heat matters a ton. If your oven cooks hot, turn it down to 375°F and add 2-3 more minutes. Want an even better trick? Chill the wrapped sticks for half an hour before cooking. This lets the bacon start to crisp up before the cheese gets too hot. Keep watching them in the last few minutes because they can go from perfect to messy really fast.
Make Ahead Instructions
You can totally prep these in advance. Wrap the cheese and add the spice mixture up to a day ahead, then just cover them and stick them in the fridge. This doesn't just save you time when you've got company coming over it actually makes them taste better because the spices sink into the bacon more. When you're ready to eat, put the cold sticks straight on your parchment-lined pan and cook them for 2-3 minutes longer. Starting with cold sticks actually helps keep the cheese from leaking while still getting the bacon nice and crispy.
Serving Suggestions
These spicy cheese sticks taste amazing by themselves, but the right sides make them even better. Try them with some cooling ranch or blue cheese dip to balance out the heat. They're great with fresh veggies like celery sticks, cucumber rounds, and sliced bell peppers for a nice contrast. You can even add them to a meat and cheese board for something unexpected. If you want to make them part of a meal, throw together a simple arugula salad with lemon juice and olive oil to cut through all that richness.
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Common Questions
- → How can I make the dish less spicy?
You can cut back on the cayenne or skip it completely in your sauce and add less hot sauce based on what your taste buds can handle.
- → What other cheeses can I use?
Go for pepper jack, cheddar, or grab some smoked mozzarella to give your sticks a whole new taste adventure.
- → How do I ensure the bacon gets crispy?
The 400°F temp works wonders for crispy bacon, but you can also flip on the broiler for the last minute or two. Just keep an eye on them so they don't burn.
- → Can I prepare these in advance?
Sure thing, you can wrap your cheese in bacon early and keep them in the fridge. Just cook them right before you want to eat them.
- → What dipping sauces pair well with these?
Dunk them in ranch, blue cheese dip, or some honey mustard for flavors that really work well together.