Irresistible Mozzarella Bacon Bites

Category: Quick Bites for Every Gathering

Your go-to snack! Melty mozzarella, crispy bacon, and a dip of marinara—super easy and always a hit.
Clare Greco
Updated on Thu, 26 Jun 2025 18:37:56 GMT
Mozzarella Bacon Bites Save
Mozzarella Bacon Bites | homebitesbyana.com

I whipped these up on one lazy Sunday when my kids and I wanted something fun to snack on, but I didn't want to spend all afternoon cleaning up or hunting for random stuff. We had bacon and string cheese in the fridge. My daughter thought we should wrap the cheese with bacon—thanks to some TV cooking show. A goofy idea turned into a ridiculously good, easy snack: crispy, salty bacon holding gooey cheese in place. The bacon gets all golden and holds everything together. When you dig in, it stretches just the right way. Pure fun.

First time we tried these, my son had a bunch of teens over and they basically inhaled the whole tray in minutes. One kid kept calling them a "work of genius" between bites. Even my super health-focused sister-in-law tried one, then immediately went back for more. She actually lost count. They just disappear fast whenever I make them.

Must-Have Ingredients

  • Thin bacon strips: Regular style is your friend—thicker stuff takes ages to cook.
  • String cheese sticks: The wrapped ones are handy and perfect for this.
  • Italian herbs: Sprinkle these over the bacon for tasty flavor.
  • Dip (marinara): Because cheese and tomato sauce always work together.
  • Freezing time: The cheese needs to be frozen hard so it doesn’t melt everywhere.
Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks Save
Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks | homebitesbyana.com

Easy Step-by-Step Guide

Serving Step
Hand them out right away—crispy, hot, and with gooey cheese inside. Get that marinara dip ready, because these are best when warm.
Final Bake
Put your bacon-wrapped cheese sticks on a new baking sheet (foil helps with cleanup). Slide them in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes—just until the bacon hits peak crispiness and the cheese starts to get soft. Don't wait too long or the cheese gets too runny.
Wrap It Up
Give the bacon a second to cool so it won't burn your hands. Wrap each frozen cheese stick with that almost-cooked bacon. Bacon usually sticks, but if it wants to come loose, poke it with a toothpick.
Bacon Gets Ready
Heat up your oven to 400, cover a pan with foil, and lay out the bacon slices. Dust some Italian herbs across the bacon and bake them 12-15 minutes. You want them a little crispy, but still bendy enough to wrap your cheese sticks.
Freezer Move
Peel open your string cheese and line them on a plate or tray. Pop them in the freezer for at least 4 hours (overnight is perfect). Freezing stops the cheese from escaping all over the oven later.

Learned my lesson after ignoring the freezing step and making a giant mess. Now I always freeze the cheese overnight just to be safe. Wrapping raw bacon wasn't great either—it never cooked in time. It's all about those two key moves.

Tasty Pairings

On their own, these are awesome dunked in marinara sauce, but ranch is also great if you like things creamy. They’re a hit as a before-dinner treat or as party food for game night. For drinks, go for something cold—beer or soda is perfect with all that cheesy, bacon goodness.

Fun Twists

Switch up the bacon seasoning—try garlic powder or some smoky paprika if you like a change. Wanna mix up the cheese? Pepper jack brings heat and cheddar is always a win. Slip a jalapeño slice in there for more zing. Prosciutto works too if you want to get a little fancy.

Leftover Tips

Best part is eating these hot—and right away—while everything is still perfect. If you microwave or reheat, the bacon goes chewy and the cheese just isn’t the same. Prepping ahead is fine, though: just wrap them and chill in the fridge before the last bake.

Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks Save
Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks | homebitesbyana.com

Everyone keeps asking for these at parties because crispy bacon and melty cheese together is just plain smart (and really tasty). Honestly, you just need good, familiar ingredients—no need to mess around. Every bite is salty, melty magic that’ll have everyone asking for more. These are proof the snacks that make people happy are the ones you barely have to think about!

Recipe FAQs

→ Why should I chill the cheese sticks beforehand?
Chilling lets the cheese keep its shape while the bacon crisps. Without this step, the cheese could turn into a melty mess too quickly.
→ Can I switch out the cheese for something else?
String cheese works best since it’s firm and the right size. Try other firm mozzarella, but softer types might melt too fast.
→ How do I know they’re ready to eat?
Once the bacon’s golden and crispy, and the cheese starts peeking out slightly, you’re good to go.
→ Can I prep them ahead of time?
Sure! Wrap the chilled cheese sticks with bacon and store in the fridge for a few hours. They’re best baked fresh, though.
→ What if the bacon stays soft?
Crank up the broiler for a minute or two at the end, but watch carefully so the cheese doesn’t ooze out completely.

Mozzarella Bacon Bites

Cheese sticks coated in seasoned bacon, baked to golden perfection, with just the right amount of gooey cheese—don't skip the marinara for dipping!

Prep Time
5 min
Cooking Time
20 min
Total Time
25 min
By: Ana


Skill Level: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yields: 6 Servings (12 cheesy bacon wraps)

Dietary Preferences: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 12 strips of bacon
02 12 pieces of string cheese
03 2 teaspoons of Italian herbs
04 Marinara dipping sauce

Steps

Step 01

Take the string cheese out of its packaging and lay it on a plate or small tray. Pop it into the freezer until it's rock solid, at least 4 hours or leave it overnight.

Step 02

Set your oven to 400°F. Use foil to cover a medium-sized baking tray. Lay the bacon slices flat, sprinkle on the Italian seasoning, and bake for 12 to 15 minutes until they’re starting to crisp up but still pliable.

Step 03

Take the tray out of the oven and let the bacon cool for a bit. Prepare another baking sheet by lining it with foil.

Step 04

Grab your frozen cheese sticks and wrap each one in a strip of the cooled bacon. Arrange them on the new foil-lined tray. Bake them again until the bacon is fully crispy and the cheese is just starting to ooze, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Step 05

Serve them warm with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.

Notes

  1. Freezing the cheese first keeps it from melting too fast while the bacon cooks.
  2. Cooking the bacon halfway ensures it gets nice and crispy around the cheese.
  3. They’re a perfect snack or appetizer, pairing gooey cheese and savory bacon.
  4. Keep an eye on the oven while baking to prevent the cheese from spilling out completely!

Required Equipment

  • 2 trays for baking
  • Foil for lining
  • Plate or tray for the freezer

Allergen Information

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if needed.
  • Includes dairy (mozzarella cheese)
  • Might have soy (check the bacon's label)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

These details are for informational purposes only and don’t replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 205
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Carbs: 2 g
  • Protein: 13 g