Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks are the ultimate indulgence that combines the savory goodness of crispy bacon with the gooey, melty delight of mozzarella cheese. As a fan of finger foods, I can confidently say that this recipe is a crowd-pleaser at any gathering. The history of bacon-wrapped dishes dates back centuries, often celebrated for their rich flavors and satisfying textures. Today, bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks have become a popular appetizer, loved for their irresistible combination of crunch and creaminess. People adore this dish not only for its taste but also for its convenience; they are easy to prepare and perfect for sharing. Trust me, once you try these Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks, they will quickly become a staple at your parties!
Ingredients:
- 12 mozzarella sticks
- 12 slices of bacon
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking spray or oil for frying
- Marinara sauce for dipping (optional)
Preparing the Mozzarella Sticks
First things first, let’s get our mozzarella sticks ready. I like to use string cheese sticks because they’re perfectly portioned and melt beautifully. Here’s how to prepare them:
- Take the mozzarella sticks out of the packaging and place them on a plate. If they’re too soft, you can pop them in the freezer for about 30 minutes. This will help them hold their shape when frying.
- While the cheese is chilling, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) if you plan to bake them instead of frying. If you’re frying, you can skip this step.
Wrapping the Mozzarella Sticks
Now comes the fun part—wrapping the mozzarella sticks in bacon!
- Take a slice of bacon and cut it in half. You want to make sure it’s long enough to wrap around the mozzarella stick completely.
- Starting at one end of the mozzarella stick, wrap the bacon around it tightly, overlapping slightly as you go. Make sure to cover the entire stick to prevent the cheese from leaking out during cooking.
- Once wrapped, place the bacon-wrapped mozzarella stick seam-side down on a plate. Repeat this process for all the mozzarella sticks.
Breading the Mozzarella Sticks
Now that our mozzarella sticks are wrapped in bacon, it’s time to bread them for that extra crunch!
- Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, add the flour. In the second bowl, beat the eggs until they’re well combined. In the third bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Take a bacon-wrapped mozzarella stick and roll it in the flour, making sure it’s fully coated. Shake off any excess flour.
- Next, dip the floured stick into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s completely covered.
- Finally, roll the stick in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the crumbs to the bacon. Make sure it’s well-coated for that perfect crunch!
- Repeat this process for all the bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks. You can place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy transfer to the oven or frying pan.
Cooking the Mozzarella Sticks
Now that our sticks are breaded, it’s time to cook them! You can choose to bake or fry them, depending on your preference.
Frying Method
- In a large skillet, heat about 1 inch of oil over medium heat. You can use vegetable oil or canola oil for frying.
- Once the oil is hot (you can test it by dropping in a breadcrumb; it should sizzle), carefully add a few mozzarella sticks to the pan. Don’t overcrowd the pan; you want to give them space to cook evenly.
- Fry the sticks for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the bacon is crispy and golden brown. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
- Using tongs, carefully remove the cooked mozzarella sticks from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
Baking Method
- If you prefer to bake, place the breaded mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray to help them crisp up in the oven.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until
Conclusion:
In conclusion, these Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks are an absolute must-try for anyone looking to elevate their snacking game. The combination of crispy, savory bacon and gooey, melty mozzarella creates a flavor explosion that is simply irresistible. Whether you’re hosting a game day party, a casual get-together, or just indulging in a cozy night at home, these bites are sure to impress your friends and family. For serving suggestions, consider pairing these delicious sticks with a side of marinara sauce for dipping, or even a spicy ranch dressing for an extra kick. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, like pepper jack for a spicy twist or cheddar for a sharper flavor. If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding some herbs or spices to the bacon before wrapping it around the mozzarella for an added layer of flavor. I encourage you to give this recipe a try and share your experience with me! I would love to hear how your Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks turn out and any creative variations you come up with. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to enjoy a snack that will have everyone coming back for more. Trust me, once you take that first bite, you’ll understand why this recipe is a crowd favorite! Print
Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks: The Ultimate Appetizer Recipe You Need to Try
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 12 sticks 1x
Description
Enjoy these crispy, gooey bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks, perfect for snacking or as an appetizer. Coated in a flavorful breadcrumb mixture, they can be fried or baked for a deliciously cheesy treat, served hot with marinara sauce for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale- 12 mozzarella sticks
- 12 slices of bacon
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking spray or oil for frying
- Marinara sauce for dipping (optional)
Instructions
- Take the mozzarella sticks out of the packaging and place them on a plate. If they’re too soft, freeze for about 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) if baking.
- Cut each bacon slice in half. Wrap each mozzarella stick tightly with bacon, overlapping slightly. Place seam-side down on a plate.
- Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Roll each bacon-wrapped stick in flour, dip in eggs, and coat with the breadcrumb mixture. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- For the frying method, heat about 1 inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry sticks for 2-3 minutes on each side until bacon is crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- For the baking method, place sticks on a baking sheet, spray with cooking spray, and bake for 15-20 minutes until bacon is crispy and cheese is melted.
- Serve hot with marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add your favorite herbs or spices to the breadcrumb mixture.
- These mozzarella sticks can be made ahead of time and frozen before cooking. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time if cooking from frozen.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
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