Save Pin I discovered these little braided treasures completely by accident while organizing my pantry and finding half a dozen sticks of string cheese staring back at me. My partner had grabbed some prosciutto for sandwiches that week, and I got curious about what would happen if I wrapped them together. That first attempt was messy—my hands were clumsy and I nearly tore the delicate prosciutto—but when I twisted two wrapped sticks together, something magical happened. The contrast of salty, peppery ham against creamy, melting cheese felt like a conversation between two ingredients that were meant to know each other all along.
I remember bringing a platter of these to a casual dinner party where everyone was stressed about what to contribute, and watching people's faces light up when they realized they could actually eat the fancy-looking appetizer. One guest asked if I'd made them from scratch in some complicated way, and I loved admitting that the hardest part was not eating half of them while braiding. They disappeared in minutes, and someone actually asked for the recipe before dessert was even mentioned.
Ingredients
- String cheese sticks (8 total, mozzarella or similar, part-skim preferred): These become your creamy, melting core—part-skim varieties hold their shape better during braiding than whole milk versions, and they have that satisfying squeaky texture when you bite down.
- Prosciutto (8 slices, thinly sliced): This is your wrapper and your flavor anchor, bringing a salty, peppery depth that transforms plain cheese into something memorable.
Instructions
- Lay out your canvas:
- Spread a slice of prosciutto flat on a clean surface where you have room to work. The delicate meat can tear easily, so handle it gently like you're arranging something precious.
- Create your first pair:
- Place a string cheese stick at one end of the prosciutto and roll it up tightly, letting the ham embrace the cheese completely. Repeat this with all eight sticks until you have eight little wrapped cylinders ready to transform.
- Begin the braid:
- Take two of your prosciutto-wrapped cheese sticks and lay them side by side. Starting at one end, gently cross one over the other in a twisting motion, working slowly down the length to avoid tearing that precious outer layer of ham.
- Complete your ropes:
- Continue braiding pairs until all are done, or go bolder by braiding three wrapped sticks together for a thicker, more dramatic rope. This is where the appetizer transforms from simple to show-stopping.
- Deploy your creation:
- Arrange the braided ropes around the perimeter of a pizza or flatbread just before baking, or serve them as a standalone appetizer with dipping sauces alongside.
Save Pin There was a moment when I served these to my sister, who's usually skeptical about my kitchen experiments, and she reached for a second one without saying anything—which is basically her version of standing ovation. That quiet approval felt like recognition that sometimes the simplest ideas, executed with a little care and creativity, become the things people actually remember.
How to Make Them Crispier
The magic happens in the oven if you want to take them from raw-ingredient snack to genuinely cooked appetizer. A quick bake at 375°F for about 8 to 10 minutes transforms the prosciutto from delicate and salty to slightly crispy and even more flavorful, while the cheese inside softens and gets closer to melting. The contrast between the crispy exterior and that warm, creamy inside is genuinely hard to stop eating.
Playing with Other Cured Meats
Once you understand the basic concept, the door opens to experimentation with whatever cured meats you have on hand or love eating. Speck brings a smokier edge, jamón serrano adds a different kind of saltiness, and even good quality bacon can work if you slice it thin. I've found that any cured meat with personality works better than something bland, because the cheese needs a strong partner to shine.
Dipping Sauces and Serving Ideas
These ropes deserve partners, whether that's a classic marinara for pizza vibes, a fresh pesto if you're feeling herbaceous, or honey mustard for when you want something sweet and sharp at the same time. I've also served them with a simple garlic aioli, which felt fancy and required zero effort. The beauty is that they stand on their own but also play well with others, adapting to whatever occasion you're creating.
- Marinara sauce gives you that warm, tomatoey comfort you expect from anything Italian-inspired.
- Pesto brings brightness and herbaceous notes that make the cheese sing even louder.
- Honey mustard creates a surprising sweet-savory combination that keeps people dipping.
Save Pin These braided knots remind me that sometimes the best kitchen moments come from curiosity and a willingness to play around with what you have. They're proof that simple ingredients and a little patience can create something memorable.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use other cured meats besides prosciutto?
Yes, speck or jamón serrano are great alternatives that offer different flavor profiles while maintaining the dish's savory character.
- → How can I make the braided knot crispier?
Bake the braided ropes at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes until the prosciutto crisps slightly and the cheese softens.
- → What cheeses work best for this braid?
String cheese or similar mozzarella sticks, preferably part-skim, melt well and hold shape during braiding.
- → Is this preparation suitable for gluten-free diets?
Yes, the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but always verify processed cheese labels to ensure no gluten additives.
- → How should I serve the braided knot?
Serve as a show-stopping border on pizzas or flatbreads, or enjoy it alone with dips like marinara, pesto, or honey mustard.