Cheesy bacon-wrapped party snacks (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ For the sticks
01 -
12 mozzarella sticks, frozen
02 -
12 strips of bacon
→ For the breading
03 -
1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for best crunch)
04 -
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
05 -
2 large eggs
06 -
1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 -
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 -
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Other
09 -
Cooking spray or olive oil for the pan
10 -
Marinara sauce for dipping
# Instructions:
01 -
Make sure your mozzarella sticks are nice and frozen - at least 30 minutes in the freezer before you start. This is super important or you'll end up with a melty mess in the oven. Trust me, I've made that mistake before!
02 -
Turn your oven to 425°F. While it's heating, grab a baking sheet and line it with some parchment paper. Give it a light spray with cooking oil or brush on a bit of olive oil so nothing sticks.
03 -
Take those frozen cheese sticks and wrap each one with a strip of bacon. Start at one end and spiral it around, making sure to slightly overlap the bacon as you go. If the bacon keeps unwrapping, secure the ends with toothpicks. Just remember to remove them before serving!
04 -
Grab three bowls or plates. In the first one, dump your flour. In the second, crack and whisk those eggs until they're well mixed. In the third, combine your panko breadcrumbs with all the seasonings - the garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Mix it up well.
05 -
Time for a little assembly line action! Take each bacon-wrapped stick and first roll it in the flour, getting it completely coated. Then dip it in the egg wash, making sure every bit gets covered. Finally, roll it in the seasoned breadcrumbs, pressing gently so they stick. Place each finished stick on your prepared baking sheet.
06 -
Slide that baking sheet into your hot oven and let those bad boys cook for about 15-20 minutes. You're looking for crispy, golden-brown bacon and melty cheese that's just starting to ooze. Keep an eye on them toward the end - things can go from perfect to burnt pretty quickly!
07 -
Once they're done, pull them out and let them cool for just a few minutes - the cheese inside is basically molten lava at this point! Warm up some marinara sauce while you wait, then serve the sticks with the sauce for dipping. Watch how fast they disappear!
# Notes:
01 -
These bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks are the ultimate crowd-pleaser for game days, movie nights, or whenever you need some serious comfort food. The combination of crispy bacon and gooey cheese is pretty much unbeatable.
02 -
If you're finding that the cheese is melting too quickly before the bacon gets crispy, try using extra-thick cut bacon or even par-cooking the bacon for a minute or two in the microwave before wrapping.
03 -
Don't skip freezing the cheese sticks - it's the secret to making sure they hold their shape while the bacon cooks. You can even prepare these a day ahead and keep them in the freezer until you're ready to bake.