Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks Recipe
This recipe features crispy bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks that are perfectly seasoned and breaded, then pan-fried to golden perfection and finished in the oven to melt the cheese inside. It’s a deliciously indulgent appetizer that’s crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside.
- 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 Coating
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for the final baking step that will ensure the cheese inside melts perfectly.
- Wrap Mozzarella with Bacon: Take each mozzarella stick and wrap it tightly with a slice of bacon. Secure both ends with toothpicks to keep the bacon from unraveling during cooking.
- Prepare Flour Mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to create a flavorful breading base.
- Beat Eggs: In a second shallow bowl, beat the two large eggs until smooth, which will help the breadcrumbs adhere to the bacon-wrapped sticks.
- Prepare Breadcrumbs: Place the breadcrumbs in a third shallow bowl, ready for coating after dipping in flour and egg.
- Coat the Mozzarella Sticks: Dip each bacon-wrapped mozzarella stick first into the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally roll it in the breadcrumbs to create a crispy crust when cooked.
- Fry the Mozzarella Sticks: Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the coated mozzarella sticks for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until the bacon is crispy and golden brown.
- Bake to Melt Cheese: Transfer the fried mozzarella sticks to a baking sheet and bake them in the preheated oven for 5 to 7 minutes. This step allows the cheese inside to melt thoroughly without the bacon losing its crispiness.
- Serve: Remove the toothpicks and serve the hot, crispy bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Make sure to secure the bacon with toothpicks to prevent it from unraveling during frying and baking.
- You can use seasoned breadcrumbs for extra flavor or add more spices to the flour mixture to suit your taste.
- Monitor the frying closely to avoid overcooking the bacon or melting the cheese too early.
- Serve with marinara sauce, ranch, or honey mustard for a delicious dipping experience.
