Ingredients You’ll Need
- For the Cheeseburger Bombs
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons burger seasoning
- Cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2 to 3/4 inch cubes
- 8 slices bacon
- BBQ sauce
- Toothpicks
How to Make It
1. Get the Smoker Ready: Preheat your smoker to 350 degrees.
2. Prep the Cheese and Bacon: Cube the cheddar cheese into 1/2 to 3/4 inch cubes and set aside. Slice each bacon slice in half and set aside.
3. Make the Meat Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, egg, and burger seasoning. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
4. Form the Bombs: Grab about 2 to 3 ounces of the beef mixture and flatten it in your hand. Place a cheese cube in the center and wrap the meat around it, forming a ball. Make sure all the seams are pinched together tightly to seal in the cheese – you don’t want it leaking out!
5. Wrap with Bacon: Lay 2 half slices of bacon in an X shape on your work surface. Place a meatball on top and wrap the bacon around it to cover as much as possible. Secure with toothpicks.
6. Smoke: Place the bacon-wrapped meatballs in the smoker and cook for 30 to 35 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees and the bacon is cooked to your liking. Keep an eye on the bacon – it shouldn’t be charred or burnt.
7. Glaze with BBQ Sauce: For the last 5 minutes of cooking, brush your favorite BBQ sauce on top of each ball. Close the lid and let them glaze up.
8. Rest and Serve: Remove the bacon cheeseburger bombs from the smoker and let them rest for about 10 minutes to cool slightly before serving. These are the party food you never knew you needed!
Extra Information
- Make sure to seal the meat tightly around the cheese cube so it doesn’t leak out during cooking.
- The toothpicks help hold the bacon in place – just remember to tell people to remove them before eating!
- You can make these in the oven at 375 degrees if you don’t have a smoker, but the smoky flavor is amazing.
- Use your favorite burger seasoning blend – or make your own with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- These are perfect for parties, game day, or any time you want an impressive appetizer!
Essential Tools
- Smoker (or oven)
- Mixing bowl
- Meat thermometer
- Toothpicks
- Pastry brush for BBQ sauce