Description
Cheddar-Stuffed BBQ Bacon Bombs are deliciously juicy ground beef meatballs filled with sharp cheddar cheese, wrapped in crispy bacon, and brushed with tangy barbecue sauce. Perfect as a flavorful appetizer or party snack, these baked bombs offer a savory combination of smoky, cheesy, and meaty flavors that will impress any crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
Wrapping and Topping
- 12 slices bacon
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil to catch drips and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare Meat Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the seasonings throughout the meat.
- Form Meat Patties: Divide the seasoned meat mixture into 12 equal portions. Flatten each portion into a small patty using your hands.
- Stuff with Cheese: Place a cube of sharp cheddar cheese in the center of each meat patty. Carefully fold the edges around the cheese, sealing it completely and shaping the meat into a ball to prevent cheese from leaking during cooking.
- Wrap with Bacon: Take one slice of bacon and wrap it tightly around each meatball. Secure with toothpicks if needed to keep the bacon in place during baking.
- Arrange and Brush: Place the bacon-wrapped bombs on the prepared baking sheet. Generously brush each bomb with barbecue sauce to enhance flavor and promote caramelization.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the internal temperature of the beef reaches 160°F (71°C) for safe consumption.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the bacon bombs to rest for 5 minutes. This helps retain juices. Serve warm with extra barbecue sauce for dipping if desired.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper into the beef mixture or brush the bombs with a spicy barbecue sauce instead.
- You can prepare the bacon bombs ahead of time and refrigerate them before baking to save time on serving day.
- Serve these flavorful bacon bombs with extra barbecue sauce or your favorite dipping sauces for enhanced taste.
