Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks
Thin bacon wrapped around frozen mozzarella makes a salty, cheesy appetizer with just two main ingredients. Use plain low-moisture string cheese for this recipe. There is no breadcrumb coating, and fresh mozzarella holds too much moisture for the same result.
The freezer step matters: give the unwrapped cheese at least four hours to freeze solid before wrapping it. Thin bacon cooks faster than thick-cut bacon, helping it finish before too much cheese melts out. Some leakage can still happen, so use a rimmed baking sheet.
Watch the bacon rather than relying only on the timer, especially where it overlaps. Let the cooked sticks rest briefly because the cheese will be very hot, remove every toothpick, then serve promptly with a dip if you like.
Questions I Often Get Asked About This Recipe
Can I use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon?
Turkey bacon varies in thickness and whether it is raw or fully cooked, so it is not an identical swap. Follow its package cooking directions; raw poultry bacon needs to reach 165°F (74°C). Thin-cut pork bacon is the specified ingredient.
Do I need to pre-cook the mozzarella sticks?
No. Use unbreaded, low-moisture mozzarella string cheese frozen solid for at least 4 hours or overnight, not fresh mozzarella or store-bought breaded mozzarella appetizers.
Can these be made ahead of time?
Freeze the unwrapped cheese ahead, then wrap it in cold bacon just before cooking. Keep the cheese frozen solid; do not thaw the assembled sticks in the refrigerator before cooking.
What’s the best way to keep them crispy?
After a brief cooling rest, serve promptly. Prolonged holding in a warm oven can melt the cheese out of the bacon wrapping.
Can I cook these in an air fryer?
Arrange frozen-cheese sticks wrapped in thin bacon in one layer with space between them. Start checking early at 375°F (190°C); about 8–10 minutes per batch is a guide, but the bacon must be fully cooked, including the overlaps.
What You Need to Make Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks
12 low-moisture mozzarella string-cheese sticks (about 1 oz each), unbreaded and frozen solid
12 slices of thin-cut bacon (one per mozzarella stick)
Toothpicks (optional, for securing bacon)
Cooking spray or parchment paper (for baking)
Special Equipment:
Baking sheet or air fryer basket
Tongs
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For the oven method, Reynolds Kitchens parchment paper (paid link) fits the 400°F baking temperature. Its maximum is 425°F. Trim it to fit the rimmed sheet, keep it clear of heating elements and do not use it under a broiler or loose in a preheating air fryer.
How to Make Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks
Unwrap the string cheese and freeze until solid, at least 4 hours or overnight. Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C), or set an air fryer to 375°F (190°C) according to its instructions. For oven cooking, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment; do not preheat an air fryer with loose parchment.
Working with a few frozen cheese sticks at a time, wrap each in one thin bacon slice, covering the ends and overlapping only enough to hold it together. Secure with a toothpick if needed. Keep the remaining cheese frozen until wrapping.
Place wrapped mozzarella sticks seam side down on the prepared baking sheet or in the air fryer basket.
Bake for about 15–25 minutes, checking from 15 minutes, or air fry in a single layer for about 8–10 minutes per batch, checking early and turning carefully halfway through. Cook until all the bacon, including overlapping areas, is fully cooked and crisp; thickness and appliances affect timing. Watch closely as the cheese begins to soften.
Remove from the oven or air fryer and rest for about 5 minutes; the cheese is very hot. Remove and count all toothpicks before serving. Serve promptly rather than holding in a warm oven, which can melt the cheese out.
Tips for Making the Best Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks
Use frozen mozzarella sticks: Freezing the plain string cheese solid slows melting while the bacon cooks. It does not guarantee that no cheese will leak out.
Choose thin-cut bacon: Thick-cut bacon takes longer to cook, which may cause the cheese to ooze out too early.
Keep them evenly spaced: Whether baking or air frying, ensure they’re not touching for maximum crispiness.
Add a kick: Optional chili flakes or a little hot honey can be added after cooking. Do not serve honey to children under 12 months.
Serving idea: Serve with marinara, ranch or barbecue sauce if desired. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F (32°C), and use within 3–4 days. Reheat to 165°F (74°C); the cheese may leak further and the bacon may soften.
Reader Reviews
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “These are a game-changer! I made them for movie night, and they were gone in minutes. Definitely making again next weekend!” – Sarah J.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Super easy and tasty. I might try adding a sprinkle of garlic powder next time for extra flavor.” – Mark P.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Perfect for after-school snacks! My kids devoured them and asked for seconds immediately. Thank you for this idea!” – Heather T.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Good flavor, but my bacon didn’t crisp up as much as I hoped. Next time I’ll try the air fryer.” – Daniel M.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “I served these at my holiday party, and they were the first thing to disappear. Huge hit with all ages!” – Jenny R.
Printable Recipe
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Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks
Plain low-moisture mozzarella string cheese, frozen solid and wrapped in thin bacon, then baked or air fried. Allow at least four hours for freezing and cook the bacon fully before serving.
Ingredients
- 12 low-moisture mozzarella string-cheese sticks (about 1 oz each), unbreaded and frozen solid
- 12 slices of thin-cut bacon (one per mozzarella stick)
- Toothpicks (optional, for securing bacon)
- Cooking spray or parchment paper (for baking)
- Special Equipment:
- Baking sheet or air fryer basket
- Tongs
Instructions
- Unwrap the string cheese and freeze until solid, at least 4 hours or overnight. Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C), or set an air fryer to 375°F (190°C) according to its instructions. For oven cooking, line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment; do not preheat an air fryer with loose parchment.
- Working with a few frozen cheese sticks at a time, wrap each in one thin bacon slice, covering the ends and overlapping only enough to hold it together. Secure with a toothpick if needed. Keep the remaining cheese frozen until wrapping.
- Place wrapped mozzarella sticks seam side down on the prepared baking sheet or in the air fryer basket.
- Bake for about 15–25 minutes, checking from 15 minutes, or air fry in a single layer for about 8–10 minutes per batch, checking early and turning carefully halfway through. Cook until all the bacon, including overlapping areas, is fully cooked and crisp; thickness and appliances affect timing. Watch closely as the cheese begins to soften.
- Remove from the oven or air fryer and rest for about 5 minutes; the cheese is very hot. Remove and count all toothpicks before serving. Serve promptly rather than holding in a warm oven, which can melt the cheese out.
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