Description
Baked Crispy Bacon Mozzarella Poppers combine gooey cheese, smoky bacon, and crunchy breadcrumbs, finished with a maple drizzle and served with spicy Sriracha-ranch dip.
Ingredients
8 thick-cut bacon strips
8 low-moisture mozzarella sticks
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 cups vegetable oil (optional, for shallow fry crisping)
8 wooden toothpicks
Sriracha-ranch dip for serving
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Wrap each mozzarella stick tightly with bacon and secure with a toothpick.
3. Set up breading station with flour, beaten eggs, and panko.
4. Dip each wrapped stick in flour, then egg, then coat with panko. Repeat for extra crunch.
5. Place breaded sticks on a wire rack over a baking sheet.
6. Bake 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and bacon is crispy.
7. Drizzle with maple syrup while warm.
8. Serve immediately with Sriracha-ranch dip.
Notes
Freeze wrapped sticks for 15 minutes before breading to reduce cheese leakage.
Reheat leftovers in a 375°F oven for 8–10 minutes. Avoid microwaving to maintain crispiness.
Quick 100-Word Summary: Baked Crispy Bacon Mozzarella Poppers are gooey cheese sticks wrapped in smoky bacon, breaded with panko, and baked until golden. Finished with maple syrup and served with spicy Sriracha-ranch dip, they balance salty, sweet, and spicy flavors in every bite. Perfect for game nights, holidays, or casual gatherings, they’re simple to prepare, customizable with different cheeses or glazes, and guaranteed to please guests. Make them ahead, bake when needed, and enjoy a platter of irresistible appetizers that vanish fast at any party.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popper
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 380
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 13
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 45