BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks are an irresistible appetizer with gooey mozzarella cheese, crispy bacon, and smoky barbecue flavor. The combination of savory bacon and melted cheese wrapped in a sweet and tangy BBQ glaze makes these a hit at any party, game day, or gathering. Here’s a simple recipe for making these tasty treats!
Ingredients:
- 12 mozzarella cheese sticks (string cheese)
- 12 slices of bacon (thick-cut works best)
- 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- Toothpicks (for securing the bacon)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Mozzarella Sticks:
- Unwrap the mozzarella cheese sticks. If they’re too long, you can cut them in half to make them a bit more manageable (optional).
2. Wrap with Bacon:
- Lay a slice of bacon flat on a cutting board. Place one mozzarella stick at the edge of the bacon slice.
- Wrap the bacon around the mozzarella stick, making sure the cheese is fully covered.
- Secure the bacon by inserting a toothpick through the middle of the bacon-wrapped mozzarella stick. This will help keep the bacon in place during cooking.
- Repeat the process for the remaining mozzarella sticks.
3. Preheat the Oven or Grill:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) if baking.
- Alternatively, you can cook these on a grill over medium heat, but for this recipe, we’ll focus on baking.
4. Bake the Mozzarella Sticks:
- Arrange the bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a wire rack.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and golden brown. Keep an eye on them to make sure the bacon doesn’t burn. The mozzarella inside should be melted and gooey.
5. Glaze with BBQ Sauce:
- In the last 5 minutes of baking, brush a little BBQ sauce over the top of each bacon-wrapped mozzarella stick for added flavor.
- You can also drizzle extra BBQ sauce over them when they come out of the oven, depending on how saucy you like them.
6. Serve:
- Let the mozzarella sticks cool for a minute or two before serving. Be cautious when taking a bite—those cheese strings can get very hot!
- Serve with additional BBQ sauce or ranch dressing for dipping, if desired.
Tips:
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks a few hours ahead of time and refrigerate them before baking.
- BBQ Sauce Options: Use a tangy, sweet BBQ sauce for the best flavor contrast. If you like a spicier kick, opt for a spicy BBQ sauce or add a bit of hot sauce to the BBQ glaze.
- Grilling Option: If you prefer grilling, cook these on medium heat, turning occasionally, until the bacon is crispy, about 10-15 minutes. You can glaze them with BBQ sauce during the last couple of minutes of grilling.
Enjoy!
These BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks are a perfect party snack or appetizer that will have everyone coming back for more! The smoky bacon, gooey cheese, and sweet BBQ sauce make for a flavor-packed bite every time. Would you like any more appetizer ideas or variations on this recipe?
