If you’re ready to experience pure, melty, salty-satisfying heaven in snack form, you’re going to fall head over heels for these Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Cheese Sticks! There’s just nothing quite like the gooey mozzarella inside its crispy, golden bacon cocoon. No breadcrumbs to fuss with, just two irresistible ingredients coming together in every stretchy, savory bite!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Two-Ingredient Magic: All you need is bacon and mozzarella – no breading, deep-frying, or egg dipping required!
- Super Fast: These Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Cheese Sticks go from craving to cheesy, sizzling bliss in just 20 minutes.
- Irresistibly Crispy and Gooey: You get smoky, crunchy bacon paired with stretchy melted cheese in every mouthful.
- Perfect Party Snack: These are always the first appetizer to disappear at a party, game night, or family movie marathon!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be delighted at how short this ingredient list is, but don’t be fooled—each part is essential for building that knockout flavor and texture. Bacon brings smoky crunch, while mozzarella keeps things gooey and rich. Let’s celebrate this delicious simplicity:
- 12 string cheese or mozzarella cheese sticks: Use classic mozzarella string cheese for super stretchy pulls and easy portioning – they bake up perfectly without losing their shape.
- 36 strips pre-cooked packaged bacon: Pre-cooked bacon is the secret hero; it wraps tightly, crisps up quickly in the oven, and saves you the mess of pan-frying.
Variations
Once you’ve made these Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, you’ll see how easy it is to make them your own! Mix up flavors, colors, and vibes to suit any crowd or craving with these fun twists:
- Spicy Kick: Give your cheese sticks a little attitude by sprinkling the mozzarella with smoked paprika or red pepper flakes before wrapping in bacon.
- Herb Lover’s Delight: Add fresh cracked black pepper, Italian seasoning, or a dusting of chopped parsley on the bacon before or after baking.
- Cheese Swap: Try pepper jack or cheddar cheese sticks for a flavor bomb and gorgeous color variation.
- Maple Bacon Bliss: Brush the wrapped sticks lightly with a bit of maple syrup before baking for a sweet-savory treat that will wow your guests!
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. This simple setup guarantees easy cleanup and keeps the cheese from sticking when it’s melted and irresistible!
Step 2: Wrap the Cheese
Grab a mozzarella stick and start at one end, carefully wrapping it with a strip of pre-cooked bacon. Overlap the bacon as you go, making sure to tuck each new strip tightly and nestle the end under a layer so the bacon holds. Repeat with 1-2 more strips, fully covering the cheese—including the ends—for perfect melt protection.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake
Place each finished Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Cheese Stick on your prepared baking sheet, seam side down. Give them space so the bacon crisps up all around. Bake in your preheated oven for 6-10 minutes, watching closely—the moment the bacon is bubbly and crisp but before the cheese oozes out, you’re in business!
Step 4: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cheese sticks rest for just a couple of minutes after baking, so the cheese stays inside when you pick them up. Serve hot and watch the cheese pulls and smiles happen!
Pro Tips for Making Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
- Chill the Cheese First: Popping the mozzarella sticks in the freezer for 30 minutes before wrapping helps them keep their shape when baking and prevents premature cheese meltage.
- Overlap for Coverage: Don’t be shy with your bacon! Overlap strips generously and make sure to wrap bacon over both ends to seal in every ounce of cheese.
- Use Pre-Cooked, Flexible Bacon: Packaged pre-cooked bacon is pliable and offers that perfect crispy texture faster than raw bacon—making this recipe weeknight and party-friendly.
- Keep an Eye in the Oven: Mozzarella can go from gloriously gooey to a runaway puddle in a flash—so watch for that moment when bacon is crisp, but cheese hasn’t fully escaped!
How to Serve Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
Garnishes
Take your Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Cheese Sticks to the next level with chopped fresh parsley, a sprinkling of extra black pepper, or a dash of chili flakes for color and zing. A dusting of grated Parmesan adds a cheesy flourish and a little extra saltiness!
Side Dishes
For a full party platter, pair these savory delights with a tangy marinara or zesty ranch for dipping. Add crisp veggies, garlic breadsticks, or even a fresh arugula salad on the side to cut through the richness and balance every bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack cheese sticks like cheesy bacon “logs” on a cutting board, skewer them for easy passing, or tuck a few in festive paper cones for movie-night snacking. For a party, arrange them crisscross on a platter with dipping sauces in the center for the ultimate finger food presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you manage to have any Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Cheese Sticks left (which is a serious challenge!), keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay tasty for up to 3 days and are just as dreamy when reheated.
Freezing
You can freeze these after baking! Place cooled sticks on a baking tray to freeze solid, then store in freezer-safe bags for up to a month. Bake straight from frozen until heated through and the bacon crisps up again.
Reheating
For best results, pop the cheese sticks in a 375°F oven or air fryer for a few minutes until the bacon is sizzling and the cheese is gooey. The microwave works in a pinch, but you’ll lose that irresistible crisp!
FAQs
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Can I use regular raw bacon instead of pre-cooked bacon?
While you can use raw bacon, it takes much longer to crisp in the oven and can cause the cheese to melt out before the bacon finishes cooking. Pre-cooked bacon solves this beautifully by crisping up quickly without over-baking the cheese.
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Can I make Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Cheese Sticks ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the cheese sticks and refrigerate them (covered) for up to 1 day before baking. Just bake straight from the fridge when you’re ready to serve warm, crispy snacks.
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What dipping sauces go best with these cheese sticks?
Classic marinara is always a winner, but ranch, chipotle mayo, garlic aioli, or even honey mustard are all fantastic with Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Cheese Sticks—feel free to get creative!
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How do I keep the cheese from oozing out in the oven?
Be sure to overlap bacon strips and cover both ends of each mozzarella stick. Chilling the wrapped sticks for 15–30 minutes before baking also helps the cheese hold its shape while the bacon crisps.
Final Thoughts
Time to grab that package of bacon and cheese sticks—trust me, once you try a batch of Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, you’ll want to make them again and again! Whether you’re feeding a crowd or treating yourself, these cheesy, salty, crispy bites are pure appetizer joy. I hope you’ll give them a try soon and share them with people you love!
Print
Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Cheese Sticks Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 cheese sticks 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Oven
Description
These Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Cheese Sticks are a delicious and savory appetizer or snack that combines the crispy goodness of bacon with gooey melted cheese.
Ingredients
Cheese Sticks:
- 12 string cheese or mozzarella cheese sticks
Bacon Wrapping:
- 36 strips pre-cooked packaged bacon
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- Wrap Cheese with Bacon: Starting at one end of a cheese stick, wrap one strip of bacon around it, overlapping halfway each time. Secure the end of the bacon by tucking it into the folds. Repeat with 1-2 more strips until the cheese stick is completely covered.
- Bake: Place the wrapped cheese sticks on a baking sheet and bake for 6-10 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and the cheese is melted but still holds its shape.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cheese stick
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 390mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
