Cheese Fingers with Bacon Recipe

Crispy Cheese Fingers with Bacon Recipe: A Savory Family Treat

Crispy cheese fingers dance with smoky bacon, creating a tantalizing appetizer that defies ordinary snack expectations.

Savory ingredients intertwine in a playful culinary adventure.

Melted cheese wraps around crisp bacon strips, delivering unexpected flavor bursts.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of crunch and richness.

Kitchen experiments rarely turn out this deliciously surprising.

Bold flavors merge into an irresistible finger food that sparks conversations.

Cheese Fingers With Bacon That Disappear In Minutes

  • Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect appetizer that impresses guests with minimal kitchen effort.
  • Speedy Snack Solution: Prepares in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for spontaneous gatherings or sudden hunger pangs.
  • Kid-Friendly Delight: Combines familiar flavors like cheese and bacon that children typically love, ensuring no picky eater leftovers.
  • Versatile Party Companion: Suitable for casual movie nights, game day events, or weekend brunches with friends and family.

Cheese and Bacon Snack Finger Ingredients

Pastry Base:
  • Puff Pastry: Soft, flaky foundation that creates crispy, light texture for the cheese fingers. Cold pastry works best for sharper edges.
Main Flavor Ingredients:
  • Ketchup, Shredded Cheese, Bacon: Tangy and savory combination that provides rich flavor profile. Use medium-sharp cheese for better melting, preferably cheddar or mozzarella. Thin bacon strips recommended for even cooking.
Finishing and Garnish:
  • Egg Yolk, Black Cumin Seeds, Sesame Seeds: Golden brown coating and crunchy topping for extra texture and visual appeal. Fresh eggs give best shine. Seeds add nutty flavor and decorative element.

Cheese Fingers With Bacon Cooking Process

Step 1: Slice Pastry Strips

Grab your puff pastry and slice it into long, slender strips about 1.5 inches wide.

Make sure your cuts are clean and even for uniform twists.

Step 2: Create Flavor Base

Spread a light, tangy layer of ketchup across each pastry strip.

This will help the toppings stick and add a zesty background flavor.

Step 3: Layer Delicious Toppings

Sprinkle generously with cheese and arrange crispy bacon pieces:
  • Shredded cheese
  • Crumbled bacon strips

Ensure the toppings cover most of the pastry surface for maximum flavor.

Step 4: Craft Elegant Twists

Carefully fold and twist each pastry strip three times, creating a beautiful spiral shape that looks like a gourmet cheese stick.

Gently press the edges to seal the ingredients inside.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

Brush each twist with egg wash and sprinkle with:
  • Sesame seeds
  • Black cumin seeds

These will create a golden, crunchy exterior with extra texture.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Place twists on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 18-22 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown and look irresistibly crispy.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Allow twists to cool for a few minutes.

Serve warm as an appetizer, snack, or party finger food.

They’re perfect for dipping in marinara sauce or enjoying on their own.

Cheese Finger Tips With Bacon Crisp

  • Select fresh, crisp bacon and premium cheese for the most flavorful cheese fingers.
  • Keep puff pastry cold before working with it to ensure crisp, flaky layers and easier twisting.
  • Place cheese fingers on a parchment-lined baking sheet to prevent sticking and ensure even browning.
  • Grate cheese finely and don't overload to prevent excessive leaking during baking.
  • Experiment with different cheeses like cheddar or gouda, or swap bacon for vegetarian alternatives like sun-dried tomatoes or caramelized onions.

Cheese Fingers with Bacon: Save and Reheat Easily

  • Store leftover cheese fingers in an airtight container for up to 3 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Warm cheese fingers at 165°C (325°F) for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness and restore original texture.
  • Heat for 15-20 seconds if you want a quick warm-up, but expect slightly softer pastry compared to oven reheating.
  • Wrap individual cheese fingers in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bag for up to 1 month, thawing at room temperature before reheating.

Bold Flavors With Cheese Fingers

  • Pair with Zesty Dipping Sauce: Whip up a tangy ranch or spicy sriracha mayo to complement the rich, savory cheese and bacon flavors.
  • Match with Crisp White Wine: Select a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the richness and refresh the palate.
  • Serve alongside Fresh Salad: Create a light green salad with vinaigrette to balance the heavy, cheesy pastry and provide a refreshing contrast.
  • Complement with Cold Beer: Choose a light lager or hoppy IPA to enhance the salty bacon and cheese, creating a perfect appetizer combination.

Crispy Bacon Cheese Finger Options

  • Gluten-Free Option: Replace puff pastry with gluten-free pastry dough, using almond or rice flour-based alternatives for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
  • Vegetarian Variation: Swap bacon with crispy mushroom bits or smoked tofu strips, maintaining the savory flavor profile while creating a meat-free version.
  • Low-Carb Adaptation: Use thin slices of zucchini or eggplant instead of pastry, rolling cheese and bacon inside for a lighter, carbohydrate-reduced snack.
  • Spicy Cheese Fingers: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the cheese mixture, creating a hot and zesty version for those who enjoy extra heat.

FAQs

  • What ingredients do I need to make these cheese fingers?

You’ll need puff pastry, ketchup, shredded cheese, bacon, egg yolk, and black cumin or sesame seeds for garnishing.

  • Can I use different types of cheese?

Absolutely! Cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend of cheeses work great. Choose a cheese that melts well and matches your taste preference.

  • Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes, cheese fingers are perfect for kids. They’re fun to eat, easy to handle, and have familiar flavors that children typically enjoy.

  • How can I prevent the pastry from getting soggy?

Don’t add too much ketchup, and make sure to pat bacon dry before placing it on the pastry to reduce excess moisture.

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Cheese Fingers with Bacon Recipe

Cheese Fingers with Bacon Recipe


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4.7 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Savory cheese fingers with bacon dance across your plate, bringing irresistible flavor combinations from classic comfort food territories. Crispy bacon embraces melted cheese in a delightful handheld treat you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 150 grams (5.3 ounces) smoked bacon, sliced
  • 50 grams (1.8 ounces) cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 sheet puff pastry

Finishing Ingredients:

  • 1 egg yolk (for brushing)
  • Ketchup (for spreading)

Garnish:

  • Black cumin or sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Slice the puff pastry into slender, elongated strips approximately 3 centimeters wide, ensuring uniform width for consistent baking.
  2. Apply a delicate, even layer of ketchup across each pastry strip, creating a zesty flavor foundation.
  3. Generously distribute shredded cheese over the ketchup, covering the entire surface to ensure a rich, melted coating.
  4. Carefully arrange bacon slices atop the cheese, positioning them to maximize flavor and coverage.
  5. Skillfully manipulate each pastry strip, twisting it three complete rotations to craft distinctive “finger-like” shapes with elegant curves.
  6. Gently coat the pastry surfaces with beaten egg yolk, using a soft brush to create a glossy, golden exterior.
  7. Sprinkle black cumin or sesame seeds over the prepared pastries, adding a subtle crunch and aromatic dimension.
  8. Transfer the assembled cheese fingers onto a prepared baking sheet, maintaining slight separation between each piece.
  9. Position the baking sheet in a preheated oven at 180°C, allowing the pastries to transform into golden, crispy delicacies over approximately 20 minutes.
  10. Remove from the oven and permit a brief cooling period, allowing the cheese to set and textures to stabilize before serving at a comfortable room temperature.

Notes

  • Experiment with different cheese varieties like cheddar, mozzarella, or gouda for unique flavor profiles.
  • For a healthier twist, swap bacon with turkey bacon or use vegetarian bacon alternatives to reduce fat content.
  • Create gluten-free versions by using gluten-free puff pastry, ensuring those with dietary restrictions can enjoy this tasty snack.
  • Enhance the seasoning by adding herbs like thyme, rosemary, or chili flakes to the cheese and bacon layer for extra depth of flavor.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 303
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 620mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 102mg
Daniel Bruns

Daniel Bruns

Founder & Culinary Innovator

Expertise

Recipe development for home cooks, Nutritional analysis and meal planning, Culinary education and food writing

Education

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts
Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations
Focus: Classical and contemporary cooking techniques, Culinary entrepreneurship and kitchen management, Menu development and food cost analysis


Daniel’s story started with flour on his face and a pie in the oven at his grandma’s house. He later sharpened his skills at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts.
His goal? Recipes so simple you’ll want to cook every night. When he’s not whipping up one-pan wonders, Daniel’s outside picking herbs, hosting neighborhood cook-offs, or baking chocolate cakes with his kids, messy, sweet, and unforgettable.

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