Description
Crispy, cheesy, and savory turkey bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks are an easy appetizer perfect for parties or snacks. Bake or air-fry for a golden-brown crunch without deep frying.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 mozzarella string cheese sticks
- 12 slices turkey bacon
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Cooking spray or olive oil (light drizzle)
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Wrap each mozzarella stick with a slice of turkey bacon, ensuring complete coverage. Place on the baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes.
- Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: flour, beaten eggs, and seasoned breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
- Once chilled, coat the frozen, bacon-wrapped sticks in flour, then dip in egg, and finally roll in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently. Repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps for a double coating if desired.
- Arrange the coated sticks on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray or drizzle with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, or air-fry at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, until the turkey bacon is cooked and the coating is golden brown.
- Let the cheesy turkey bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Freezing the wrapped sticks is crucial to prevent cheese from melting out too quickly.
- Use firm cheese sticks for best results.
- For a spicier kick, add cayenne pepper to the breadcrumbs.
- These can be assembled and frozen ahead of time, cooking directly from frozen.
- Reheat leftovers in an air fryer or oven to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking or Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stick
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg