Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
Enjoy these irresistibly crispy bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks, perfectly seasoned and fried to golden perfection, then baked to melty cheese goodness inside. This snack combines savory bacon with gooey mozzarella cheese, enhanced by a flavorful breadcrumb coating, making it an ideal appetizer or party treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Cheese and Bacon
- 12 ounce mozzarella sticks
- 8 slices bacon
Breading and Seasoning
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Oil
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F to prepare for baking the mozzarella sticks after frying.
- Wrap Mozzarella Sticks: Wrap each mozzarella stick with a slice of bacon, securing each end with toothpicks to keep the bacon firmly in place during cooking.
- Prepare Flour Mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to create a seasoned coating base.
- Beat Eggs: In a separate shallow bowl, beat the two large eggs until smooth, which will help the breadcrumbs adhere.
- Prepare Breadcrumbs: Place breadcrumbs in a third shallow bowl, ready for the final coating step.
- Bread Mozzarella Sticks: Dip each bacon-wrapped mozzarella stick first into the flour mixture, then coat with the beaten eggs, and finally cover completely in breadcrumbs for a crispy crust.
- Fry: Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the breaded mozzarella sticks for about 3–4 minutes on each side until the bacon is crispy and golden brown.
- Bake: Transfer the fried mozzarella sticks to a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 5–7 minutes to ensure the mozzarella melts thoroughly inside.
- Serve: Serve the hot, crispy bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks immediately with your favorite dipping sauce for a delicious appetizer experience.
Notes
- To prevent the cheese from leaking, make sure the bacon is wrapped tightly and secured with toothpicks.
- You can substitute olive oil with vegetable oil if preferred for frying.
- For extra flavor, try adding some chili powder or cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture.
- Remove toothpicks before eating to avoid injury.
- Keep an eye on the frying process to prevent the bacon from burning or the cheese from melting out too soon.
