Description
Savory cheddar-stuffed bbq bacon bombs combine smoky grilled flavors with melted cheese and crispy bacon wrapped in a perfect handheld package. Grill masters and backyard cookout enthusiasts will love this irresistible appetizer that delivers bold southwestern-style taste in each bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (453 g) ground beef (80/20 or lean)
- 4 oz (113 g) cheddar cheese (cut into small cubes)
- 12 slices bacon (cut in half)
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup (120 ml) breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) BBQ sauce (plus extra for brushing)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Thoroughly blend ground beef with breadcrumbs, egg, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Cheese Stuffing: Divide meat mixture into uniform portions, creating a thin disc with a central depression, then carefully place a cheddar cube in the center and seal edges completely to conceal the cheese.
- Bacon Wrapping: Encase each cheese-filled meat bundle with a crisp bacon slice, securing with toothpicks to maintain structural integrity.
- Grill Setup: Heat grill or smoker to 375-400°F, positioning bombs over indirect heat to prevent excessive charring.
- Cooking Process: Grill bombs for 15-20 minutes, rotating periodically to ensure even caramelization and cook until bacon is golden and meat reaches 160°F internal temperature.
- Serving: Allow bombs to rest briefly after cooking, then serve hot, revealing the molten cheddar core when cut open.
Notes
- -Select Meat Wisely: Choose ground beef with moderate fat content (80/20 ratio) to ensure juicy, flavorful bombs without excessive greasiness.
- -Seal Cheese Carefully: Pinch meat edges meticulously to prevent cheese leakage during grilling, using gentle pressing techniques to create complete seals.
- -Control Grill Temperature: Maintain consistent indirect heat around 375-400°F to achieve crispy bacon and fully cooked meat without burning exterior.
- -Prevent Cheese Explosion: Chill cheese cubes before stuffing to slow melting process and reduce risk of cheese escaping during cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 546
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 949 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 107 mg