Nautical Knot with Prosciutto Cheese (Printable view)

Savory braided prosciutto and string cheese ideal for snacks or as pizza edging.

# What You Need:

→ Dairy & Cured Meats

01 - 8 sticks string cheese, part-skim mozzarella or similar
02 - 8 slices thinly sliced prosciutto

# How To Make:

01 - Place a slice of prosciutto flat on a clean work surface.
02 - Position a string cheese stick at one end of the prosciutto slice and roll tightly around it. Repeat for all cheese sticks.
03 - Take two prosciutto-wrapped cheese sticks and gently braid them together from one end, twisting carefully to avoid tearing. Continue until all pairs are braided.
04 - For a thicker rope, braid three wrapped sticks together instead of pairs.
05 - Place the braided ropes around the edge of a pizza or flatbread before baking, or serve as an appetizer accompanied by dipping sauces.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely showstopping but takes just 15 minutes to assemble with your hands, no fancy skills required.
  • That contrast of crispy prosciutto and stretchy melted cheese hits differently as a snack than it does on a regular charcuterie board.
  • Works as an appetizer, pizza border, or party centerpiece, so it actually earns its real estate on the table.
02 -
  • The first time I made these without heating them, I thought they were fine cold—but baking them at 375°F for 8–10 minutes completely transforms the texture, making the prosciutto crisp and letting the cheese melt just enough to bind everything together.
  • Braiding is gentler than you'd think; the cheese is forgiving, but the prosciutto can tear if you twist too aggressively, so patience here actually saves you frustration.
03 -
  • Keep your hands slightly cool and work deliberately when braiding; rushing is the only thing that causes tears and frustration.
  • If you want maximum crispiness, brush the braided ropes lightly with a tiny bit of oil before baking, which sounds fancy but honestly just gives the prosciutto edges a better chance to crisp up.
Go Back