These Mini Bacon Cheese Pops are small in size but massive in flavor. Each bite combines gooey melted cheese, crispy smoky bacon, and a hint of spice — the perfect trifecta for any party platter.
They’re oven-baked or air-fried for that perfect crunch, without the grease. Whether it’s game night, holiday gatherings, or weekend snacking, these cheesy little pops will disappear fast.
They’re fun to make, easy to eat, and guaranteed to steal the spotlight at your next get-together.
The secret lies in the balance between meltability and crispiness.
The cheese blend — usually a mix of cream cheese and sharp cheddar — gives that creamy interior, while the bacon crisps up beautifully on the outside. When baked at the right temperature, the fats render evenly, turning each pop into a perfectly golden bite.
A quick chill before baking keeps them from bursting open too early, and a toothpick helps keep that perfect pop shape intact.
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons green onions, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10–12 strips thin-cut bacon, halved
Toothpicks (for securing)
Optional: fresh parsley or chives for garnish
In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar, Parmesan, green onions, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper.
Mix until smooth and evenly blended.
Use your hands or a small scoop to form 1-inch balls. Place them on a parchment-lined tray.
Pro Tip: Chill the cheese balls in the fridge for 15–20 minutes. This helps them hold their shape while baking.
Cut each bacon strip in half. Wrap one piece around each cheese ball, securing it with a toothpick.
Make sure the seam of the bacon ends up on the bottom — that keeps the wrap tight as it bakes.
For Oven:
Preheat to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the wrapped cheese pops on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake for 18–22 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is bubbly.
For Air Fryer:
Set to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping at the halfway point.
The bacon should be golden and crisp.
Transfer the pops to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat.
Let them cool slightly — the inside will be molten hot at first!
Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces like ranch, BBQ, or spicy aioli.
Jalapeño Kick: Add minced jalapeños to the cheese mix for heat.
Buffalo Style: Mix buffalo sauce into the cheese and serve with blue cheese dip.
Garlic Parmesan: Roll finished pops in garlic butter and grated Parmesan.
Smoky Maple Bacon: Brush a little maple syrup on the bacon before baking for a sweet-savory twist.
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freeze: Freeze unbaked pops for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 3–4 minutes to the cook time.
Reheat: Place in an air fryer or oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes until crisp again.
Avoid microwaving — it softens the bacon and ruins the texture.
Bacon too thick: It won’t crisp evenly. Use thin-cut bacon for best results.
Overfilling cheese: Too much filling can burst through the bacon. Stick to 1-inch balls.
No chilling step: Warm cheese balls can melt before the bacon crisps — always chill first.
Crowding the tray: Give each pop space to crisp up properly.
Balanced texture — creamy inside, crispy outside
Oven or air fryer friendly
Party-ready in under 30 minutes
Customizable flavors (spicy, smoky, sweet)
Perfect finger food for gatherings
Serve these Mini Bacon Cheese Pops on skewers or toothpicks with a trio of dips:
Ranch dressing for cool contrast
Spicy BBQ sauce for smoky depth
Honey mustard for a sweet pop
They pair perfectly with cold drinks and crowd laughter — a guaranteed win for any social gathering.
These Mini Bacon Cheese Pops prove that big flavor doesn’t have to come in a big package. Each bite is crispy, cheesy, smoky perfection — easy to make, impossible to resist, and ideal for parties, holidays, or weekend snacks.
Whether you bake them in the oven or crisp them in an air fryer, the result is the same: pure, melty, bacon-wrapped bliss.