Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks Recipe {keto/low carb}
If you’re looking for an easy keto snack that’s big on flavor and low on carbs, these Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks are it. I mean, what’s not to love about gooey cheese wrapped in crispy bacon? Whether you need a quick low-carb appetizer, a game day snack, or just something fun for the kids, this recipe delivers every time.
I’ll walk you through exactly how to make them step by step, including the cooking method I recommend for the best results. I tested this recipe by frying, air frying, and baking, and the results speak for themselves. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll want to keep a stash of frozen cheese sticks in your freezer at all times.
Easy Keto Bacon-Wrapped Cheese Sticks (3 Ingredients!)
If you’ve ever wished your favorite mozzarella sticks were keto-friendly, this recipe is for you. With just three simple ingredients—bacon, mozzarella string cheese, and oil for frying…you can whip up a savory low-carb snack in minutes.
These are perfect for parties, after-school snacks, or even a quick lunch idea. And the best part? No complicated steps or fancy tools required. Let’s get into how to make them crispy, melty, and totally irresistible.
What You’ll Need to Make Bacon-Wrapped Cheese Sticks
Y’all know I need simple! Whew, our life is crazy. This keto-friendly recipe keeps things simple with just a few everyday ingredients:
- 8 slices of bacon – Your classic breakfast bacon works great here. Avoid thick-cut or maple-flavored varieties, as they don’t crisp as well and can add unwanted sugars.
- 8 mozzarella string cheese sticks – Look for full-fat versions for the best melt and texture. Not a mozzarella fan? Try Colby Jack, cheddar, or even pepper jack for a little kick. When I make these, I always have to check to make sure my family hasn’t munched all of the string cheese sticks.
- Olive oil (for shallow frying) – You’ll need about ½ to 1 cup of oil, depending on your pan. Don’t have olive oil? Canola or avocado oil are great alternatives.
Tip: Make sure your cheese sticks are fully frozen before wrapping in bacon—this helps them hold their shape while cooking.
How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Cheese Sticks (Step-by-Step)
Here’s how to make these crispy, cheesy, low-carb bites:
Step 1: Freeze the Cheese
Put your mozzarella sticks in the freezer overnight or for at least 6 hours. This is key! If they aren’t frozen solid, the cheese will melt out before the bacon crisps.
Step 2: Wrap with Bacon
Take one slice of bacon and wrap it tightly around each frozen cheese stick. Try to avoid overlapping too much so the bacon can get crispy on all sides. Use a toothpick to secure the ends if needed.
Tip: If you’re not a fan of handling raw meat, like me, disposable kitchen gloves make this part so much easier. As much as I cook, you would think I would get used to touching raw meat. Gross. Nope.
Step 3: Fry Until Crispy
Heat about ½ inch of olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Carefully add a few wrapped sticks at a time and turn them gently as they cook. About 1 to 2 minutes per side.
Step 4: Drain & Serve
Once the bacon is browned and crisp on all sides and the cheese is just starting to melt, remove from the pan. Set them on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up extra oil.
Time to Enjoy!
Serve hot with your favorite low-carb dipping sauce like ranch, sugar-free BBQ, or spicy mayo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cook bacon-wrapped cheese sticks in the air fryer?
Yes, but with a little tweak. I found that cooking them in a skillet gives better results, but if you prefer the air fryer, try partially cooking the bacon first until it’s slightly crispy but still bendable. Then wrap the bacon around the frozen cheese and air fry at 400°F for 5–7 minutes, turning halfway through.
Can I bake them in the oven instead of frying?
It’s possible. Not my favorite method, though. The bacon doesn’t seem to crisp up before the cheese starts to melt out. Make sure to use a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and keep a close eye to avoid a melty mess.
Do I have to freeze the cheese sticks?
Absolutely! Freezing the cheese sticks (at least 6 hours or overnight) helps them hold their shape while the bacon crisps. If you skip this step, you’ll likely end up with a gooey, cheesy puddle of bacon instead of a snack.
Are bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks keto?
Yes! As long as you’re using full-fat mozzarella and regular bacon without added sugars, these are a great keto snack.
What dipping sauces go well with these?
Ranch, sugar-free BBQ sauce, spicy mayo, or even a low-carb marinara all pair well. Just make sure to check labels if you’re counting carbs.
Storage, Reheating, and Make-Ahead Tips
I like to meal prep for get-togethers or big days in advance. It takes some of the last-minute stress off!! If you’re like me, you may want to prep these ahead of time. You totally can! Here’s how to make a batch for later and store the leftovers:
Make-Ahead Prep
Wrap your frozen cheese sticks in bacon and secure them with toothpicks, then store them uncooked in a zip-top freezer bag. When you’re ready to fry, just pull them out and cook straight from frozen—no need to thaw!
How to Store Leftovers
If you have any cooked cheese sticks left (which is rare in our house!), let them cool completely and place them in an airtight container or zippered storage bag in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days.
How to Reheat
To keep them crispy, reheat in a skillet or air fryer at 375°F for about 3–5 minutes. Avoid the microwave if possible—it makes the bacon rubbery and the cheese too soft. Sounds Disghusting..
Can I Freeze Them After Cooking?
Yes, but they’re definitely best fresh. If you freeze them after cooking, reheat in the air fryer to bring back some of that crispiness. Just know they may not be quite as gooey inside.
Flavor Variations & Serving Ideas
Looking to switch things up? Here are a few fun ways to customize your bacon-wrapped cheese sticks and make them your own. Be adventurous!
Cheese Stick Swaps
- Pepper Jack – Adds a spicy kick that pairs perfectly with salty bacon. This is a favorite in our house.
- Colby Jack – A mild, creamy option with great melt. Gives the best ooey-gooey texture.
- Cheddar – Sharper flavor that stands up to bold dipping sauces.
- Smoked Gouda – If you’re feeling fancy!
Tip: Stick with full-fat cheese sticks for the best texture and melt.
Serving Suggestions
- Game Day Appetizer – Serve with keto ranch, spicy mayo, or sugar-free BBQ sauce
- Party Platter – Cut each stick into 1/3s and add toothpicks. Plate them alongside pickles, olives, and veggie sticks.
- After-School Snack – Kids love these fresh from the pan! Who am I kidding? Everyone loves them fresh from the pan.
- Low-Carb Lunchbox – Pack with a side salad or sliced cucumbers for a filling, keto-friendly lunch.
Add a Little Extra Flavor
- Sprinkle on a bit of garlic powder or smoked paprika before frying
- Wrap a fresh basil leaf inside with the cheese for a herby twist
- Brush with a little sugar-free BBQ glaze during the last minute of cooking
More Keto Appetizers to Try
These bacon-wrapped mozzarella sticks check all the boxes…crispy, melty, low carb, and super simple. They’ve become one of my favorite keto-friendly snacks to make for parties, picky kids, or just when I need something quick and satisfying.
- Keto Onion Rings
- Grilled Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
- Keto Sausage Ball Puffs
- Keto Chicken Wings
- Low Carb Sausage Cheese Dip
- Tik Tok Viral Buffalo Chicken Cucumber Rolls
If you loved this recipe, don’t forget to leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card and a comment below! It helps others find it and supports my blog. Tag my socials with your cheesy bacon creations and make sure to follow me on Pinterest so you don’t miss any recipes.
Bacon-Wrapped Mozzarella Cheese Sticks {keto/low carb}
Ingredients
- 8 Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
- 8 slices Bacon
- Approximately 1 cup avocado oil for frying depending on the size of your frying pan.
Instructions
- Freeze the mozzarella cheese sticks overnight.
- Wrap a slice of bacon around each cheese stick, starting at one end and rolling carefully until the other end. I wrapped the bacon around the ends and secured it in place with a toothpick. I tried to minimally overlap the bacon so that all of it would get crispy.
- Heat about 1/2 inch of avocado oil in a cast iron or regular skillet. .
- Carefully place bacon-wrapped cheese stick in a frying pan and turn as each side gets brown and crispy so that the bacon cooks on all sides.
- Remove from oil when the bacon is crispy and brown on all sides and place on a plate covered with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Enjoy!
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Notes
Nutrition
I would probably fry these in coconut oil because it is great for the keto diet and crisps up things better than other oils. Can’t wait to try these! Thanks!
Sounds like a great plan.
Do you ever have problems trying things with coconut oil??
I have not.
Does it haave to be a cast iron skillet?
Feel free to use whatever skillet you have.
I cannot find whole milk mozzarella cheese sticks anywhere I always have a mess any suggestions
You can’t fry too many at once as it would lower the temperature of the grease and cook the mozzarella cheese sticks too slowly.
I wish I could post a picture off all my melted cheese and not so crunchy bacon
I used a cheddar / mozzarella stick..not good!!
Maybe I will just throw some eggs in this cheese massacre..still yummy,but not for holiday guest 🙂
Yes, I would think that would melt because of the cheddar cheese as it melts differently than mozzarella.
Has anyone tried deep frying them?
I made these this morning I’m my air fryer and they were so GOOD!! Thank you for sharing ??
Yay! So glad you enjoyed them.
Lisa- what temp & how long did you cook in air fryer?
How long? What setting?
I would love to know how long and what temp you used!! ♥️
Medium heat and cook until the bacon is to your liking. I love my bacon to be very crispy so I keep mine in longer than you may like.
I’m thinking as an appetizer that you could cut the cheese sticks and bacon in half and make smaller ones. What do you think?
Sure! Sounds great.
Do you have an affiliate program?
Nope. Sure don’t.
They precooking the bacon. That should lead to crisp it faster.
Maybe my error I dont know. I froze the cheese sticks wrapped them used tooth pics to close ends. The bacon never got crisp and they were falling apart.
My guess would be your oil wasn’t hot enough or you could have fried too many at once.
No idea how I missed this when going through the archives. This sounds quite tasty. I’ll be giving this a try soon.
Have you tried them in an air crisper?
I tested it in the air fryer and it didn’t turn out as well as frying.
Thanks. I did see that in your post when I opened it in my computer.
You’re welcome, Charlene!
Are the cheese sticks necessary can you cut your own from block of cheese and freeze them, I always have block on hand
I’ve only made this recipe as is so I can’t say for sure. I would make sure to use the same variety of cheese if you do try it.
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The Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella Sticks sound yummy! Do you think they would work in a deep fryer? If so, what temp and how long? Thanks for your advice and all the great recipes.
Hi Sharon, I do think they’d work in a deep fryer. I haven’t used one in years, so I can’t speak to the frying time or temperature though.