Description
Crispy bacon wrapped around gooey mozzarella sticks creates the ultimate party appetizer. These crowd-pleasing bites combine salty, smoky bacon with melted cheese for an irresistible flavor explosion that’s perfect for any gathering.
Ingredients
12 mozzarella sticks (whole milk or low-moisture)
12 slices regular-cut bacon
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Italian herb blend
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
Cooking oil for frying (if frying method)
Marinara sauce for dipping
BBQ sauce for dipping
Garlic aioli for dipping
Instructions
1. Freeze mozzarella sticks for 30 minutes to prevent melting during cooking
2. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) for baking method or heat oil to 350°F (175°C) for frying
3. Remove mozzarella sticks from freezer and pat dry with paper towels
4. Wrap each mozzarella stick with one slice of bacon, stretching bacon slightly for tight wrap
5. Secure bacon ends by tucking under or using toothpicks if needed
6. Season wrapped sticks with garlic powder, Italian herbs, paprika, and black pepper
7. For baking: Place on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake 6-10 minutes, flipping halfway
8. For frying: Carefully place in hot oil and fry 2-3 minutes until bacon is crispy
9. Remove and drain on paper towels for 1-2 minutes
10. Serve immediately while cheese is gooey and bacon is crispy with favorite dipping sauces
Notes
Freezing mozzarella sticks is crucial to prevent cheese from melting too quickly during cooking.
Regular-cut bacon works better than thick-cut as it wraps more easily and crisps more evenly.
These appetizers are keto-friendly and perfect for low-carb diets.
Can be prepared 2-3 hours in advance and stored in refrigerator before cooking.
Air fryer option: Cook at 380°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
For extra flavor, try adding different seasonings like cayenne pepper or onion powder.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 sticks
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 35mg