Description
These Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks are the perfect appetizer combining crispy bacon with gooey, melty mozzarella cheese. Ready in under 30 minutes, they make an irresistible party snack that’s easy to prepare and freezer-friendly for batch cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese
- 12 mozzarella sticks (string cheese)
Bacon
- 12 slices of bacon (thin works best)
Optional
- Toothpicks for securing
- Marinara sauce, ranch, or spicy mayo for dipping
Instructions
- Prep the Mozzarella: Unwrap the mozzarella sticks and freeze them for 30 to 45 minutes. Freezing helps prevent the cheese from melting too quickly during cooking, ensuring it stays gooey inside without making a mess.
- Wrap with Bacon: Cut each slice of bacon in half. Wrap each mozzarella stick tightly with a half slice of bacon, slightly overlapping the ends. Use a toothpick to secure the bacon if needed.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, turning them halfway through baking, until the bacon is crispy and golden brown. Alternatively, you can air fry them at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes to get extra-crispy bacon.
- Serve: Let the mozzarella sticks cool for 1 to 2 minutes because the cheese will be very hot. Serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauces such as marinara, ranch, or spicy mayo.
Notes
- Freezing the cheese before wrapping helps keep the filling gooey without leaking.
- Use thin-cut bacon for faster cooking and crispier results.
- For extra crunch, sprinkle panko breadcrumbs on the bacon before baking.
- Try brushing bacon with brown sugar or maple syrup before baking for a sweet and smoky flavor twist.
- These can be made in the air fryer as a quicker alternative to oven baking.
- Freeze uncooked bacon-wrapped sticks for convenient batch prep and bake later.
