Air Fryer Mustard-Glazed Bacon Bombs

These Air Fryer Mustard-Glazed Bacon Bombs are smoky, juicy, and packed with melty cheese. Wrapped in crispy bacon and brushed with a sweet and tangy mustard glaze, they’re the perfect appetizer, game-day snack, or low-carb dinner.

Ingredients

For the Bacon Bombs

• 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
• 8 slices bacon
• 4 oz (115 g) cheddar cheese, cut into 8 cubes
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Mustard Glaze

• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp honey (or sugar-free honey substitute for low-carb)
• 1 tsp whole-grain mustard (optional)
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

Optional Garnishes

• Chopped parsley
• Sesame seeds

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
2. Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions.
3. Flatten each portion into a small patty and place a cube of cheddar cheese in the center.
4. Wrap the meat around the cheese, sealing it completely to form a ball.
5. Wrap each meatball with one slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick if needed.
6. In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, whole-grain mustard (if using), and apple cider vinegar.
7. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.
8. Arrange the bacon bombs in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
9. Air fry for 12 minutes.
10. Brush generously with the mustard glaze, then continue cooking for 3–5 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and the beef reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
11. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips

• Use thin-cut bacon so it crisps more easily.
• Don’t overfill with cheese to prevent leaks.
• Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
• For extra-crispy bacon, cook for an additional 1–2 minutes if needed.

Serving Suggestions

• Coleslaw
• Roasted vegetables
• Cauliflower mash
• Pickles
• Garden salad
• Ranch or barbecue dipping sauce

Storage

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze cooked bacon bombs for up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 4–5 minutes until heated through.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15–17 minutes
Total Time: 35–37 minutes
Servings: 8 bacon bombs
Calories: Approximately 290 calories per bacon bomb