Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cut mozzarella sticks in half crosswise to create bite-sized pieces.
- Wrap each cheese piece with bacon, spiraling from one end to the other with slight overlap.
- Secure each end with toothpicks.
- Place wrapped sticks in the freezer for 15-20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and spray with cooking oil.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through, until bacon is crispy and golden brown.
- Optional: Broil for final minute for extra crispiness, watching carefully.
- Let cool for 1-2 minutes, then transfer to paper towel-lined plate.
- Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and serve warm with preferred dipping sauce.
Notes
Use thin-cut bacon as it wraps more easily and crisps better than thick-cut. Freezing the wrapped sticks before baking is crucial to prevent cheese from melting too quickly. Watch carefully during the final minutes of cooking to prevent cheese from escaping. Serve with marinara sauce, ranch, honey mustard, or your favorite dipping sauce. Can be made with alternative cheeses like pepper jack or gouda for variation.