Description
Enjoy these irresistible Crispy Bacon Mozzarella Poppers with a sweet maple glaze. Thick-cut bacon wraps around creamy fresh mozzarella balls, coated in crunchy panko breadcrumbs, then baked to golden perfection. A luscious glaze made from pure maple syrup, butter, and garlic powder adds a perfect sweet-savory finish to these crowd-pleasing appetizers.
Ingredients
Scale
Bacon and Cheese
- 8 oz thick-cut bacon
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls
Coating
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Sweet Glaze
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Wrap Mozzarella in Bacon: Take each fresh mozzarella ball and wrap it tightly with a slice of thick-cut bacon. Secure with a toothpick if necessary to hold the bacon in place during baking.
- Coat with Panko: Roll each bacon-wrapped mozzarella ball in panko breadcrumbs, making sure they are thoroughly coated to create a crispy outer crust.
- Bake the Poppers: Arrange the coated poppers evenly on the prepared baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the bacon is crisp and golden.
- Prepare the Sweet Glaze: While the poppers bake, melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the maple syrup and garlic powder, then simmer for about two minutes to blend the flavors into a smooth glaze.
- Glaze and Serve: Once baked to crispy perfection, remove the poppers from the oven and drizzle the warm sweet maple glaze over them. Serve immediately for the best melty, crispy, sweet-savory experience.
Notes
- Use fresh mozzarella balls for the best melty texture and flavor.
- To secure the bacon slices, toothpicks are helpful but not mandatory if the bacon is wrapped tightly.
- Consider whole wheat panko for a slightly healthier breadcrumb option.
- Serve poppers immediately after glazing to enjoy the contrast of crispy bacon with melty cheese and sticky glaze.
- Leftover poppers can be reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
