Crispy Bacon Mozzarella Sticks

This carnivore-friendly twist on mozzarella sticks transforms the classic appetizer into a protein-packed treat that delivers all the gooey cheese satisfaction without the breading. Perfect for anyone following a meat-based diet or simply looking for a crowd-pleasing snack that happens to be grain-free.

I first created these bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks when transitioning my family to a lower carb lifestyle. What began as an experiment quickly became our go-to game day snack that even my pickiest eaters devour without mentioning the missing breading.

Ingredients

• Mozzarella Cheese Sticks: Fresh string cheese provides the perfect gooey interior and gives you that satisfying cheese pull. Look for full-fat varieties for best flavor and texture.
• Bacon: Choose medium thickness for the perfect balance. Too thin and it might break during cooking, too thick and it may not crisp properly before the cheese melts.
• Beef Tallow: Adds a rich flavor depth that vegetable oils simply cannot match. Grass-fed tallow will provide the cleanest taste and highest nutrient content.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep the Cheese:

Freeze mozzarella sticks overnight. This crucial step prevents premature melting when cooking and gives you that perfect texture. The longer freeze time ensures the cheese stays intact during the high-heat cooking process.

Bacon Wrapping:

Take each frozen cheese stick and carefully wrap a bacon slice around it, working from one end to the other with slight overlap between layers. Secure with toothpicks if the bacon seems loose. The tighter and more even your wrap, the better the final result will be.

Melt the Tallow:

Heat beef tallow in a cast iron skillet over medium heat until it reaches approximately 350°F. You'll know it's ready when a small piece of bacon sizzles immediately upon contact. Using cast iron provides even heat distribution, ensuring perfectly crispy bacon.

Crisp the Bacon:

Place the wrapped sticks in the hot tallow, with the bacon seam side down first to seal it. Cook each side for approximately 1-2 minutes, rotating frequently to ensure even browning. Watch carefully as the window between perfectly crisp bacon and melted cheese escape is narrow.

Drain and Serve:

Transfer the cooked sticks to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess grease. Let them rest for 1-2 minutes, which allows the cheese to settle slightly while remaining perfectly melty inside.

Pin it

The beef tallow is my secret weapon in this recipe. While you could use other cooking fats, the depth of flavor from properly rendered tallow creates a richness that reminds me of my grandmother's cooking. She always said animal fats were the foundation of good flavor, and these mozzarella sticks prove her right every time.

Storage and Reheating

These bacon mozzarella sticks are best enjoyed immediately after cooking, when the cheese is at its gooiest and the bacon at its crispiest. However, if you need to prepare ahead, you can assemble them and keep them frozen for up to one month in an airtight container. To reheat, simply place them in a 375°F oven for about 5-7 minutes until the bacon recrisps and the cheese warms through. Microwaving is not recommended as it makes the bacon soggy.

Perfect Pairings

While traditional mozzarella sticks are often served with marinara sauce, these carnivore-friendly versions pair beautifully with other meat-based accompaniments. Try serving them alongside a ramekin of warm beef bone broth for dipping, or with a side of carnivore-friendly liver pâté. The rich fattiness of the cheese and bacon also pairs wonderfully with something acidic like pickled egg yolks if you include those in your carnivore approach.

Troubleshooting Tips

The primary challenge with these sticks is timing the bacon crispness with the cheese meltiness. If your cheese starts escaping before the bacon is fully crisp, your heat is likely too high or your cheese wasn't frozen long enough. For perfectly sealed sticks, ensure your mozzarella is frozen solid and consider using a slightly lower temperature with a longer cooking time. Some carnivore cooks also find success with partially precooking the bacon until it’s just pliable before wrapping to reduce final cooking time.

Pin it

These bacon mozzarella sticks are the ultimate carnivore snack, delivering on flavor, texture, and satisfaction in every bite.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why do I need to freeze the mozzarella sticks overnight?

Freezing the mozzarella sticks overnight ensures they don't melt too quickly during cooking. This allows time for the bacon to crisp up properly while maintaining the cheese's structure until serving, creating that perfect cheese pull when eaten.

→ Can I use a different type of fat instead of beef tallow?

Yes, you can substitute beef tallow with other high smoke-point fats like ghee, lard, or duck fat. Each will impart a slightly different flavor profile, but all work well for achieving crispy bacon. For non-carnivore options, avocado oil can work too.

→ What if my cheese starts to melt too quickly?

If your cheese begins melting too fast, your cooking temperature may be too high or your mozzarella wasn't frozen enough. Lower the heat immediately and finish cooking the bacon more quickly. For future attempts, ensure the cheese is completely frozen and consider wrapping the bacon more securely.

→ Can I make these ahead of time?

You can prepare the bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks ahead of time and keep them frozen until ready to cook. This actually works in your favor as the cheese needs to be frozen anyway. Just wrap them tightly and freeze for up to two weeks before cooking.

→ What can I serve with bacon mozzarella sticks?

For carnivore-friendly options, serve with a side of warm bone broth for dipping. If you're not strictly carnivore, marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or a spicy aioli make excellent companions. A simple side salad can help balance the richness.

→ How do I know when they're perfectly cooked?

The bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks are done when the bacon is crispy and golden brown on all sides. The cheese should be soft but still contained within the bacon. If you see slight cheese melt at the ends, that's your cue they're perfectly cooked and ready to serve.