Bacon Cheddar Onion Bombs
Stuffed onions with cheesy beef, wrapped in bacon, baked until smoky, melty, and crisp. Family favorite comfort food.
Preparation Time 25 min
Cooking Time 40 min
Overall Time 65 min
Created By: Lily Chen
Category: Party & Snacks
Skill Level: Moderate
Cuisine Type: American
Output: 8 Serves
Dietary Options: ~
Ingredients
- 01 4 medium-sized yellow onions, outer 2 layers of each onion
- 02 2 pounds lean ground beef (93%-7% blend)
- 03 ½ cup bread crumbs
- 04 1 large egg
- 05 ¼ cup whole milk
- 06 ⅓ cup bottled barbecue sauce (Sweet Baby Ray's original recommended)
- 07 3 tablespoons bottled barbecue sauce (Sweet Baby Ray's original recommended)
- 08 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 09 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 10 1 teaspoon salt
- 11 ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 12 8 cheddar cheese cubes (1-inch sized)
- 13 16 pieces center-cut smoked bacon
Steps
Step 01
Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large-rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Set aside.
Step 02
Slice the top and bottom off each onion. Peel off the outer skin layer. Slice onions in half (top to bottom) and remove the two outer layers. You will have 8 sets of onion halves. Set aside.
Step 03
Combine ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, milk, 3 tablespoons barbecue sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl. Use a wooden spoon or hands to mix thoroughly until evenly combined.
Step 04
Divide the meat mixture into 8 equal portions.
Step 05
Flatten each meat portion in your palm into a 3-4 inch disc. Add a cheddar cheese cube to the center, wrapping the meat around it to form a sealed meatball.
Step 06
Cover the meatball with two onion halves, ensuring most of the surface is wrapped. Adjust onion size as needed for a snug fit.
Step 07
Lay two bacon slices in an X-pattern, place the onion bomb in the center, and wrap the bacon around it. Secure with a toothpick if required.
Step 08
Place the bacon-wrapped onion bomb onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat the process for all 8 portions.
Step 09
Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.
Step 10
Remove onion bombs from the oven and brush the tops and sides with the remaining ⅓ cup barbecue sauce. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the sauce is caramelized and the internal temperature reaches 160-165°F.
Step 11
Allow the onion bombs to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Tips
- Ensure bacon is tightly wrapped and the meatballs are pressed well to avoid breaking apart during cooking.
- Use evenly sized onion pieces to achieve uniform cooking.
- Soaking onions in hot water for 3-4 minutes helps separate layers without breaking them.
- A meat thermometer is the most accurate way to check doneness. Look for golden, crispy bacon and tender onions.
- Ensure the cheddar cube is fully encased in the meatball to prevent leakage as it melts.
- Add extra barbecue sauce during cooking or serve additional sauce on the side if desired.
Required Tools
- Large-rimmed baking sheet
- Aluminum foil
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon
- Meat thermometer
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