Description
A quick and easy appetizer featuring crispy beef bacon and gooey mozzarella, perfect for gatherings or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz Thick-Cut Beef Bacon, finely diced
- 8 oz Block Mozzarella Cheese, shredded or cubed
- 1/4 cup Cream Cheese, softened
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup Fresh Chives, chopped
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- Pinch Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- 1 (13.2 oz) package Puff Pastry Dough, thawed
- 1 Large Egg, beaten
- 1 tbsp Water
- Vegetable Oil (around 4-6 cups for frying or non-stick cooking spray for baking)
- 1/4 cup Pure Maple Syrup
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 tsp Ground Ginger
- Pinch Red Pepper Flakes (optional, for glaze)
- 1 tsp Cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp cold water (slurry)
Instructions
- In a skillet, cook beef bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Drain fat and let cool.
- In a bowl, mix the cooled bacon, mozzarella, cream cheese, garlic, chives, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Roll out the thawed puff pastry and cut into 18 squares.
- Place a heaping tablespoon of filling in the center of each pastry square. Brush edges with egg wash, fold, and seal.
- Refrigerate the assembled poppers for at least 30 minutes.
- For frying, heat oil to 350-375°F (175-190°C) and fry poppers for 2-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
- For baking, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), arrange poppers on a baking sheet, brush with egg wash, and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden.
- For the glaze, combine maple syrup, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, garlic powder, ground ginger, and optional flakes in a saucepan. Simmer, then whisk in cornstarch slurry to thicken.
- Serve poppers drizzled with glaze and sprinkle with extra chives.
Notes
These poppers can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen before cooking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying or Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 popper
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg