
When you want a snack that'll steal the show, these BBQ Bacon Bombs packed with gooey cheddar are just what you need. Ground beef lays a juicy foundation, cheddar hides in the core, bacon wraps it up tight, and a glossy BBQ sauce brings it all together. They vanish quick at my house and always get cheers at sports parties.
Every time we have a birthday bash or grill out, my folks beg me to whip these up. My kid and I love sneaking bits of cheese while we form the bombs in the kitchen.
Irresistible Ingredients
- BBQ sauce: tops it off with tangy zip Try smoky or spicy to match your vibe
- Beef bacon: covers everything in smoky goodness Go with thicker cuts so you get extra crunch
- Shredded cheddar cheese: gets wonderfully melty in the center Go sharp for a punch of flavor
- Onion powder: balances the taste with sweetness Choose a pure one for the best result
- Garlic powder: slips in smooth savory flavor Make sure it's free from fillers
- Black pepper: sneaks in light heat Use fresh cracked black pepper if you can
- Salt: cranks up the taste Sea salt gives a deeper boost
- Egg: keeps the whole thing sticking together Large eggs work great
- Breadcrumbs: hold it all together and stop it feeling heavy Fine crumbs blend in best
- Ground beef: the star of the show Choose ground chuck for juicy, bold bites
Simple Step-by-Steps
- Time to Serve:
- Pop the bombs onto a plate while they're sizzling hot If you want, set out little bowls of extra BBQ for dunking
- Bake Until Crispy:
- Slide your tray into a ready-to-go oven at 375 F Let them cook for twenty five to thirty minutes Brush them with more BBQ in the middle Bake till the bacon gets crunchy and the inside reads 160 F with a meat thermometer
- Add Sauce and Arrange:
- Line up the bacon-wrapped bombs seam-side down on a sheet lined with parchment Brush on a thin layer of BBQ so the glaze starts to form
- Wrap Everything Up:
- Carefully stretch a bacon strip and twirl it around each bomb Hide the ends underneath to get them to stay nice and tidy as they cook
- Fill and Form:
- Grab a chunk from the beef mix Flatten it, nestle cheese in the middle, and push the meat around the cheese Ball it up tight so the cheese can't escape Make them a bit bigger than golf balls
- Mix Your Meat:
- Throw beef, breadcrumbs, egg, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into a big bowl Get your hands right in there and mix until you don't see streaks anymore This makes sure they won't fall apart

Nobody at our Super Bowl gatherings ever skips these—they’re known for that gooey inside. My dad’s obsessed. One year he asked me to make a whole extra tray just so he could grab more of that bacon-cheese magic.
Storing Leftovers
If you have extras, stash them in a sealed box in your fridge and they’ll stay good for three days. Want them hot again? Use the oven or air fryer to crisp them up. For freezing, let them cool first, wrap up tight, and freeze for up to two months
Swapping Ingredients
Try pepper jack or mozzarella inside instead of cheddar for a twist. If you skip beef, try chicken or turkey mince. Regular bacon works the same if you’re fine with pork
Best Ways to Serve
Stick toothpicks in each one so folks can grab and go. They taste awesome next to tart coleslaw, fresh pickle slices, or a few spicy jalapeños. Sometimes I stack them on slider buns with lettuce and tomato for a bigger bite

How Party Eats Started
Wrapping bacon around tasty bites has been a go-to party trick from Midwest gatherings to summer BBQs. These bombs riff on classic meatballs but blast in cheesy and BBQ goodness for something fresh
Common Recipe Questions
- → How can I keep the cheese from melting out?
Be sure to surround the cheese fully with the beef, then wrap the whole thing up in bacon so nothing escapes in the oven.
- → Is it alright to use pork bacon if I don't have beef bacon?
Definitely, you can swap in pork or even turkey bacon. They both bring their own taste and texture, so pick what you like.
- → Which BBQ sauce should I pick for brushing on top?
Any BBQ sauce you enjoy works! Try a smoky, spicy, or sweet one—whatever matches what you're in the mood for, they'll all taste good with the meat and cheese.
- → Is it possible to make these ahead of baking time?
Go ahead and shape them before guests arrive, stash in the fridge, then pop in the oven when you’re ready to eat.
- → Which sides are nice to serve alongside these bacon bombs?
Crunchy slaw, roasted potato wedges, or a chilled salad work great to cut through all that smoky cheesy flavor.
- → What's the best way to tell they're cooked through?
The bacon should look caramelized and crispy, and the center should hit 160°F (71°C) if you check with a meat thermometer.