Last winter, our block was hit with one of those unplanned power outages—right in the middle of a neighborhood potluck I was hosting. We had candles going, laughter bouncing off the walls, and an oven full of half-baked garlic rollups when the lights cut out.
My granddaughter’s friend Malia, a 16-year-old with dreams of opening a food truck one day, suggested we fire up my old camping stove in the garage. We laughed at the idea—until five minutes later, we were huddled around it, flipping tortillas one at a time in an old skillet. The kids ran extension cords to my car to play music. My husband poured lemonade into wine glasses to keep spirits high.
The original plan had been to serve the rollups hot from the oven, sliced and golden brown, with the cheese bubbling just right. But those garage-seared versions? Crisp, smoky, slightly uneven, but deeply delicious. The garlic butter sizzled differently on the pan, the bacon crisped with a campfire edge, and everyone came back for seconds. Malia even scribbled the recipe down in her phone with a promise to make it for her school’s club fair.
Sometimes, it’s not how you cook something, it’s who you cook it with and how you adapt when things go sideways. That night gave this simple recipe a new kind of memory.
Short Description
Savory flour tortillas brushed with garlic butter, layered with bacon and cheeses, rolled tight and baked until golden and crispy—perfect bite‑size treats.
Key Ingredients
Garlic Butter:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Rollups:
- 6 large flour tortillas
- 12 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives (optional)
Tools Needed
- Small mixing bowl
- Pastry or silicone brush
- Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- Sharp knife for slicing rollups
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, stir melted butter with minced garlic, parsley, salt and pepper. Set aside.
Step 2: Assemble Rollups
Preheat oven to 190 °C. Lay tortillas flat. Brush each generously with garlic butter. Top with crumbled bacon, then cheddar and mozzarella. Sprinkle fresh chives if using.
Step 3: Roll and Bake
Roll each tortilla tightly into a spiral. Place seam‑side down on parchment‑lined baking sheet. Brush tops lightly with remaining garlic butter. Bake 12–15 minutes until the tortillas are golden and crisp, cheese is melted and bubbling.
Step 4: Slice and Serve
Let rollups cool a few minutes. Slice each into bite‑sized spirals and arrange on a platter. Serve immediately while hot and gooey.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavor Explosion: Warm garlic butter meets crispy bacon and gooey cheese in every spiral bite.
Quick and Easy: Ready in under 20 minutes with minimal prep.
Versatile Snack: Great for game nights, brunch spreads, or surprise guests.
Kid-Friendly: Bite-size and fun to eat—little hands love them, too.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Too soggy tortillas: Brush enough garlic butter, but avoid pooling—use parchment to prevent sticking.
Uneven baking: Place rollups seam‑side down to keep them intact and ensure even crisping.
Cheese leakage: Don’t overfill—spread cheese in a consistent layer.
Under‑baked centers: Rotate sheet halfway through baking for even golden color.
Garlic burns: If garlic starts browning too quickly, reduce oven temperature by about 5 °C.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve as: Warm appetizer, snack, or side.
Pairs well with: Fresh vegetable crudités, a crisp salad, or spicy salsa.
Presentation styles: Stack in spirals on a wooden board for buffet style, or neatly line them on a platter.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storage: Keep leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Reheat: Warm in a 175 °C oven or toaster oven for 5–7 minutes until crisp again.
Freezing: Freeze assembled but unbaked rollups; bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes.
FAQs
1. Can I use whole‑wheat tortillas instead of flour?
Yes, just watch baking time, as whole‑wheat may brown faster.
2. Can I prep these ahead of time?
Assemble and keep refrigerated until ready to bake. Add a couple of minutes if chilled.
3. What if I want a vegetarian version?
Skip the bacon and add roasted mushrooms or sautéed peppers instead.
4. Do I have to slice them before serving?
You can also serve each rollup whole for handheld snacking—just slice when eaten.
5. Can I make them larger or smaller?
Absolutely! Adjust cooking time slightly: larger rolls may need a few extra minutes.
Tips & Tricks
Use sharp cheddar for bold flavor; whole‑milk mozzarella adds stretchy texture.
Warm tortillas slightly before brushing to help butter absorb evenly.
Use clean edges of parchment paper to lift and transfer rolls easily.
Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter for a spicy kick.
Serve with a dip, garlic aioli or ranch pair beautifully.
Recipe Variations
Herb & Goat Cheese: Use goat cheese instead of cheddar, add chopped basil and a pinch of oregano.
Southwest Twist: Add canned corn kernels, diced jalapeño, and sprinkle taco seasoning before rolling.
Spinach & Feta: Layer wilted spinach and crumbled feta in place of bacon and cheddar for a lighter vegetarian version.
Final Thoughts
We eventually got the lights back, but no one wanted to go back inside. The garage smelled like garlic and laughter. Those rollups, made by flashlight and teamwork, turned into a story we still talk about every time someone suggests a potluck.
I now keep this recipe ready for quick comfort or when someone needs a win in the kitchen. It’s humble, reliable, and perfect for gathering folks around—power or no power.
Savory Garlic Butter Bacon Rollups
Print ThisIngredients
- Garlic Butter:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Rollups:
- 6 large flour tortillas
- 12 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Make Garlic Butter
Mix melted butter, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
Step 2: Fill Tortillas
Preheat oven to 190°C. Brush tortillas with garlic butter, then top with bacon, cheeses, and chives (if using).
Step 3: Roll and Bake
Roll tightly, place seam-side down on a lined baking sheet. Brush tops with garlic butter. Bake 12–15 minutes until golden and crisp.
Step 4: Slice and Serve
Cool slightly, slice into spirals, and serve warm.
