Last weekend, I was helping my neighbor, Mrs. Hernandez, set up her yard sale. In between arranging vintage china and old gardening tools, we found ourselves craving something more exciting than the usual lemonade and cookies.
I had a sleeve of refrigerated biscuit dough in the fridge and a few mozzarella sticks lingering in the freezer—the kind with clever potential. As we joked about making something “burger-inspired,” the idea to stuff those sticks with bacon, beef, and cheese took hold.
I remember the warm smile on her face when one of these bombs emerged from the oven: golden, buttery, and puffed perfectly.
Kids roaming the neighborhood maze scrambled to grab them, and the adults hovered, dipping into ranch and marinara with nostalgic delight. The scents of garlic butter and sizzling bacon brought memories of summer fairs and childhood cookouts.
Short Description
These Bacon Cheeseburger Loaded Mozzarella Stick Bombs bring together seasoned ground beef, crumbled bacon, and gooey cheese—all wrapped in dough, baked to golden perfection, and served with your favorite dipping sauces.
Key Ingredients
- 8 mozzarella sticks, halved (16 pieces)
- ½ lb cooked ground beef, seasoned as your favorite burger
- 4 strips cooked bacon, crumbled
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or American cheese
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough or pizza dough
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Optional toppings: sesame seeds or parsley
For dipping: ranch, marinara, or burger sauce
Tools Needed
- Baking sheet lined with parchment
- Rolling pin or hands to flatten dough
- Small bowl for butter & garlic
- Pastry brush
- Oven
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Set oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
Flatten each biscuit or dough piece into a 4-inch circle using your hands or a rolling pin.
Step 3: Fill ’Em Up
Place in the center:
- 1 mozzarella half
- 1 spoonful seasoned beef
- 1 pinch crumbled bacon
- Small sprinkle cheddar cheese
Step 4: Seal the Bombs
Gather edges and pinch tightly to enclose the filling. Place seam-side down on the baking sheet.
Step 5: Butter & Top
Brush each bomb with melted butter, then sprinkle with garlic powder. Add sesame seeds or parsley if desired.
Step 6: Bake to Golden
Bake for 12–15 minutes until dough is puffed and golden, cheese is bubbly, and dough should sound hollow when tapped lightly.
Step 7: Serve Hot
Let rest 2 minutes, then serve warm with dipping sauces like ranch, marinara, or burger sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavor Explosion: Juicy beef, smoky bacon, and stretchy cheese all wrapped in garlicky dough.
Quick & Fun: Ready in 20 minutes, perfect for impromptu snacks or gatherings.
Customizable: Swap bacon for turkey bacon or use pizza dough for extra chewiness.
Kid and Crowd-Pleasing: Easy to eat, share, and pair with dips everyone loves.
Portable: Great for potlucks, game nights, or lunchboxes.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Bombs burst open: Dough too thin or under-sealed edges. Fix: ensure a tight seal and dough slightly thicker.
Undercooked centers: Overfilled bombs or too much filling. Keep filling modest and follow bake time.
Soggy bottom: Dough sticking to baking sheet. Use parchment or lightly oil sheet.
Butter burns: Garlic powder can brown quickly. Mix garlic into butter off-heat before brushing.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve on a platter with bowls of ranch, marinara, and burger sauce for dipping.
Pair with a crisp green salad or crunchy carrot & celery sticks.
Great for buffet- style parties, picnics, or as a hearty appetizer at family gatherings.
Add-ons: Offer pickles or sliced jalapeños for those who want a flavor kick.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Refrigerate: Store in airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze: Freeze uncooked bombs on a baking sheet, then transfer to a bag for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes.
Reheat: Oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes or until heated through and crisp. Air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes works too.
FAQs
1. Can I make these vegetarian?
Yes, swap beef for seasoned crumbled tofu or black beans, and skip bacon.
2. Can I prep ahead?
Yes, assemble and freeze them ahead of time, then bake just before serving.
3. What’s the best dough to use?
Biscuit dough gives a tender, flaky crust; pizza dough is chewier.
4. Can I air-fry them?
Yes, air fry at 350°F for about 8 minutes, flipping halfway.
5. Are they spicy?
Not unless you want them to be, add a pinch of chili powder to the beef or sprinkle pepper flakes on top.
Tips & Tricks
Use fresh mozzarella sticks for best melt and fewer leaks.
Lightly press seams with a fork for a tighter seal and decorative edge.
Brush twice: first plain butter before dough, then garlic-butter mid-bake for extra flavor.
If bombs puff too much, gently press top halfway through baking to encourage even shape.
Let them rest briefly before serving, filling stays molten without causing burns.
Recipe Variations
Jalapeño Popper Version
Add a small slice of jalapeño and a dollop of cream cheese with the beef.
Sprinkle crushed tortilla chips on the dough before wrapping for crunch.
BBQ Chicken Bombs
Use shredded BBQ chicken instead of beef, and add cheddar and bacon.
Add a brush of BBQ sauce on top before baking.
Breakfast Burrito Bombs
Fill with scrambled eggs, breakfast sausage, bacon, and cheddar.
Bake and serve with ketchup or hot sauce on the side.
Gluten-Free Option
Use gluten-free biscuit or pizza dough. Ensure ingredients, including bacon and beef, are gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
Those mozzarella bombs vanished faster than I could plate them. My neighbor’s grandson, Liam, popped in with muddy sneakers after soccer practice and polished off two without even asking. Baking brings people together, but these bites bring conversations, kids reaching for seconds, parents reminiscing about backyard burgers, and friends swapping salsa stories. It’s joyful, a bit indulgent, and always shared around warm smiles.
If you’re looking for comfort food that doesn’t require fancy dinnerware—just good company—this recipe belongs at your table. Enjoy every messy, cheesy, bacon-studded bite!
Bacon Cheeseburger Loaded Mozzarella Stick Bombs
Print ThisIngredients
- 8 mozzarella sticks, halved (16 pieces)
- ½ lb cooked ground beef, seasoned as your favorite burger
- 4 strips cooked bacon, crumbled
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or American cheese
- 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough or pizza dough
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Optional toppings: sesame seeds or parsley
- For dipping: ranch, marinara, or burger sauce
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Flatten the Dough
Press each biscuit or dough piece into a 4-inch circle.
Step 3: Add the Filling
Place in the center:
-
Half a mozzarella stick
-
A spoon of cooked beef
-
A pinch of bacon
-
A little cheddar cheese
Step 4: Seal the Bombs
Pinch the edges together to seal. Put seam-side down on the baking sheet.
Step 5: Butter and Top
Brush with melted butter. Sprinkle garlic powder and sesame seeds or parsley if you like.
Step 6: Bake
Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden and puffed. Tap to check—should sound hollow.
Step 7: Serve
Cool for 2 minutes, then serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
