Description
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These bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks are the perfect appetizer! Crispy bacon around melty cheese, baked until golden and served with marinara sauce.
Ingredients
- 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks: The individually wrapped kind works perfectly and is already the right size.
- 12 thin bacon slices: Regular thickness works best because thick bacon takes too long to cook.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning: Adds extra flavor to the bacon while it cooks.
- 1 cup marinara sauce: For dipping, because melted cheese and tomato sauce are meant to be together.
- Freezer time: The cheese needs to be frozen solid so it doesn’t melt completely.
Instructions
Freezing Step: Unwrap all your string cheese and lay them out on a plate or small baking sheet. Stick them in the freezer for at least 4 hours, though overnight is even better. This freezing step is crucial because it keeps the cheese from melting into a puddle when you bake them.
Bacon Prep: Heat your oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil. Lay out the bacon slices in a single layer and sprinkle them with Italian seasoning. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until they’re slightly crisp but still flexible enough to wrap around the cheese.
Wrapping Process: Let the bacon cool just enough to handle safely, then wrap each frozen cheese stick with one strip of the partially cooked bacon. The bacon should stick to itself pretty well, but if it doesn’t, you can secure it with a toothpick.
Final Baking: Line another baking sheet with foil and place all your wrapped cheese sticks on it. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes until the bacon is completely crispy and the cheese is just starting to soften. You want the cheese warm and slightly melty but not completely liquid.
Serving Time: Serve them immediately while the bacon is still crispy and the cheese is gooey. Have that marinara sauce ready for dipping because these are meant to be eaten hot.
Notes
- Don’t skip the freezing: Room temperature cheese will melt completely and make a mess.
- Pre-cook the bacon slightly: Raw bacon won’t cook through in the short final baking time.
- Watch the timing carefully: The difference between perfectly melty and completely liquid cheese is just a minute or two.