Two years ago, Emma's soccer team had their end-of-season party at our house. I needed something that would feed 15 hungry kids and their parents without being stuck in the kitchen flipping burgers all afternoon. Someone on a cooking forum mentioned cheesy bacon onion bombs, and I thought they were messing with me. The name sounded ridiculous.
Turns out, they're exactly what they sound like whole onions stuffed with seasoned ground beef and melted cheese, wrapped in bacon strips, then baked until the bacon crisps up and the cheese gets all gooey. Made them that Saturday. They disappeared in 20 minutes. Parents kept asking for the recipe. Kids who swore they hated onions ate three each. The bacon smelled incredible while baking, and when you cut into one, melted cheese oozed out onto the plate. Emma's coach literally asked if I'd make them for every team party.
Why You'll Love This Cheesy Bacon Onion Bombs
Through making these for tailgates, game day parties, and family cookouts, here's what works: these cheesy bacon onion bombs look fancy but they're simple. You can prep them hours ahead stuff the onions, wrap the bacon, stick them in the fridge. When people show up, just pop them in the oven. Your house smells like bacon and caramelized onions while everyone's hanging out.The cheesy bacon onion bombs gets sweet and tender as it bakes, almost caramelized.
That bacon wraps around tight and crisps up on the outside while keeping everything moist inside. The cheese melts down into the beef and onion, creating this gooey, savory filling. Emma loves watching people's faces when they cut into one and all that cheese comes spilling out. They're messy to eat, but that's part of the fun. You can make a dozen at once and feed a crowd without being stuck at the stove. They reheat okay too, though the bacon loses some crunch. Still good, just not as dramatic.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Cheesy Bacon Onion Bombs
- Ingredients for Cheesy Bacon Onion Bombs
- How To Make Cheesy Bacon Onion Bombs Step By Step
- Equipment For Cheesy Bacon Onion Bombs
- Cheesy Bacon Onion Bombs Variations
- Smart Swaps for Cheesy Bacon Onion Bombs
- Storing Your Cheesy Bacon Onion Bombs
- Top Tip
- What to Serve With Cheesy Bacon Onion Bombs
- FAQ
- Time to Fire Up the Grill!
- Related
- Pairing
- Cheesy Bacon Onion Bombs
Ingredients for Cheesy Bacon Onion Bombs
The Main Stuff:
- Large yellow onions
- Ground beef
- Thick-cut bacon
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Cream cheese
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
Optional Add-ins:
- Green onions
- BBQ sauce
- Jalapeños
- Smoked paprika
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Cheesy Bacon Onion Bombs Step By Step
Prep the Onions:
- Cut off the top of each onion about ½ inch down
- Peel off the papery outer skin
- Slice a thin piece off the bottom so it sits flat
- Scoop out the inside with a spoon, leave 3 outer layers thick
- Chop some of that scooped onion for your filling
Make the Filling:
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium heat
- Toss in chopped onion, cook until soft
- Drain off the grease into a can
- Stir in cream cheese until melted and mixed
- Add shredded cheddar, Worcestershire, garlic powder, salt, pepper
- Let it cool 10 minutes so cheese doesn't pour out when stuffing
Stuff and Wrap:
- Pack beef mixture into each hollowed onion really jam it in there
- Wrap bacon strips around the onion, covering it completely
- Overlap the bacon slightly so there's no gaps
- Secure with toothpicks stuck through the bacon into the onion
- Place seam-side down on parchment-lined baking sheet
Bake:
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving
- Heat oven to 375°F
- Bake 45-50 minutes until bacon crisps up
- Onion should feel tender when you poke it with a fork
- Brush with BBQ sauce last 10 minutes if you want sticky glaze
Equipment For Cheesy Bacon Onion Bombs
- Large rimmed baking sheet (catches all the drips)
- Parchment paper (stops the bacon from sticking)
- Sharp knife (for cutting and hollowing onions)
- Large spoon or melon baller (scoops out onion centers clean)
- Mixing bowl (for the beef and cheese filling)
- Toothpicks (holds the bacon in place while baking)
Cheesy Bacon Onion Bombs Variations
BBQ Bacon Bombs:
- Mix BBQ sauce directly into the beef filling
- Brush more BBQ sauce on top during last 15 minutes of baking
- Add diced pickles to the filling for tangy crunch
- Serve with ranch dressing for dipping
Jalapeño Popper Style:
- Dice jalapeños and mix into the cream cheese
- Double the cheddar cheese for extra gooey center
- Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs on top last 5 minutes for crunch
- Drizzle with hot sauce right after they come out
Pizza Bomb:
- Swap ground beef for Italian sausage
- Add diced pepperoni to the cheese filling
- Use mozzarella instead of cheddar
- Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping
Breakfast Bomb:
- Mix scrambled eggs into the beef and cheese
- Use breakfast sausage instead of ground beef
- Add extra sharp cheddar on top
- Great for brunch tailgates
Smart Swaps for Cheesy Bacon Onion Bombs
Onion Options:
- Yellow onions → Sweet onions (less bite)
- Large onions → Medium onions (smaller servings)
- Fresh onions → Pre-peeled onions (saves time)
Meat Swaps:
- Ground beef → Ground turkey (leaner)
- Regular beef → Ground sausage (more flavor)
- Plain beef → Italian sausage (spicy kick)
Cheese Switches:
- Cheddar → Pepper jack (heat)
- Cream cheese → Boursin (garlicky)
- Shredded cheddar → Mozzarella (stretchy)
- Regular cheese → Smoked gouda (smokier)
Bacon Changes:
- Plain bacon → Maple bacon (sweet-savory)
- Thick-cut → Regular bacon (crisps faster)
- Pork bacon → Turkey bacon (lighter)
Storing Your Cheesy Bacon Onion Bombs
Refrigerator Storage:
- Cool completely before wrapping to avoid condensation
- Wrap each bomb individually in foil
- Stack in airtight container in fridge up to 4 days
- Reheat in oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until warmed through
- Bacon won't be as crispy but still tastes good
Freezer Storage:
- Cool bombs completely first
- Wrap tight in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil
- Label with date - keeps up to 2 months
- Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating
- Add 5 minutes to reheating time if still cold
Make-Ahead Method:
- Stuff onions and wrap with bacon but don't bake
- Cover tightly and refrigerate up to 24 hours
- Bake straight from fridge when ready
- Add 10 extra minutes to baking time since they're cold
- Perfect for game day prep
Reheating Options:
- Grill: Wrap in foil, indirect heat 15 minutes (adds smoky flavor)
- Oven: 350°F for 15-20 minutes (keeps bacon crispy)
- Air fryer: 350°F for 10 minutes (crisps bacon back up)
- Microwave: 2 minutes (bacon gets rubbery but quick)
Top Tip
- Last summer at a neighborhood cookout, Emma was helping me make a double batch of these. He was in charge of mixing the beef and cheese while I hollowed out the cheesy bacon onion bombs. I had my back turned wrapping bacon when I heard him say "Oops." He'd grabbed the wrong container and dumped a bunch of ranch seasoning mix into the beef instead of garlic powder.
- I was about to start over, but we were already running late and people were showing up. Figured we'd just see what happened. Stuffed the onions with that ranch-seasoned beef, wrapped them in bacon, and threw them on the grill. Those onion bombs disappeared faster than any batch I'd ever made. People kept asking what I did different. The ranch seasoning added this tangy, herby flavor that cut through all the richness from the bacon and cheese.
- Now we add ranch seasoning to the beef on purpose about two tablespoons per pound of meat. Mix it right in with the cream cheese and cheddar. Emma tells everyone at parties that he "invented the ranch version." He's not wrong. Sometimes the best recipes come from seven-year-olds who grab the wrong container and don't say anything until it's too late to fix it.
What to Serve With Cheesy Bacon Onion Bombs
Back making these for cookouts and game day parties, here's what goes with them: keep it simple and fresh. Coleslaw cuts through all that bacon grease with tangy crunch. Potato salad or chips work for game day when people are grazing. Corn on the cob in summer is easy and keeps people busy. Baked beans for cookouts because sweet beans with savory bacon just works. A simple green salad with ranch dressing is Emma's pick he says ranch goes with everything. Pickle spears straight from the jar give people that salty crunch. Raw veggies and dip work too, something to munch while the bombs are baking.
Don't serve other heavy, creamy stuff. These bombs are rich enough. Skip the mac and cheese, skip the loaded potatoes. Keep sides light so people don't feel stuffed. Grilled burgers or hot dogs work if you're feeding a huge crowd and need more food. Garlic bread is good for soaking up any cheese that leaks out onto plates. Set out wet wipes or paper towels near the food these things are messy and people's hands get covered in bacon grease and melted cheese. Nobody cares though. They just grab another one.
FAQ
Should you cook onion or bacon first?
For these cheesy bacon onion bombs, you wrap raw bacon around stuffed raw onions and bake everything together. The bacon crisps up while the onion cooks through. But you do need to brown the ground beef first before stuffing it in the onions, or it won't cook properly in the center.
What kind of cheese is best for cheeseburger bombs?
A mix works best cream cheese keeps the filling moist and creamy, while shredded cheddar adds that sharp, melty cheese pull. You can also use pepper jack for heat, mozzarella for stretch, or smoked gouda for deeper flavor. Just make sure you have some cream cheese in there or the filling gets dry.
Can you cook onions and bacon together?
Yes, and that's exactly what happens in this recipe. The bacon wraps around the cheesy bacon onion bombs and they bake together at 375°F for about 45-50 minutes. The bacon fat drips down and flavors the onion while the bacon crisps up. The onion gets sweet and tender at the same time the bacon finishes cooking.
What are Cheesy Bacon Onion Bombs?
cheesy bacon onion bombs are whole onions that are hollowed out, stuffed with a mixture of ground beef and cheese, wrapped in bacon strips, and baked until the bacon crisps and the filling melts. They're popular for game day and cookouts because they look impressive, feed a crowd, and you can eat them with your hands. Messy but worth it.
Time to Fire Up the Grill!
Now you've got everything you need to make these cheesy bacon onion bombs that'll disappear at your next party. From picking the right onions to stuffing them with that ranch-seasoned beef, from wrapping them tight in bacon to watching people's faces when they cut into one and all that cheese comes pouring out—this recipe has become our go-to for any gathering where we want to impress without spending all day in the kitchen.
Craving more crowd-pleasers that actually work? Our Best Potato And Hamburger Casserole Recipe feeds a bunch without much work throw it together, bake it, done. Perfect for potlucks when you need something that travels well and feeds a crowd. Want something completely different? Try our Easy Drunken Noodles Thai Recipe for bold, spicy flavors that wake up your taste buds and come together in under 30 minutes. Or make our Healthy Persian Chicken Recipe when you want something lighter but still packed with flavor Emma even eats the vegetables in that one without complaining.
Share your onion bomb wins! We love seeing your bacon-wrapped creations and hearing about which cheese combos you tried!
Rate this Cheesy Bacon Onion Bombs and join our cooking community!
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Pairing
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Cheesy Bacon Onion Bombs
Equipment
- 1 Large baking sheet (Rimmed, to catch bacon drips)
- 1 Parchment paper (Prevents sticking)
- 1 Sharp knife (For cutting and hollowing onions)
- 1 Spoon or melon baller (To scoop onion centers cleanly)
- 1 Large skillet (For browning ground beef)
- 1 Mixing bowl (For beef, cheese, and seasoning mix)
- 1pack Toothpicks (Secures bacon during baking)
Ingredients
- 6 larg Yellow onions - Outer layers only; hollowed
- 1.5 lb Ground beef - Use 80/20 or mix with sausage for flavor
- 12 slices Thick-cut bacon - Enough to wrap each onion completely
- 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese - Sharp or extra sharp
- 4 oz Cream cheese - Softened for easier mixing
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce - Optional but adds umami
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder - Or substitute ranch seasoning 2 tbsp
- Salt & pepper - To taste
- 2 Green onions - Optional chopped, for freshness
- 2 tablespoon BBQ sauce - Optional for brushing during final bake
- 1–2 Jalapeños - Optional diced, for heat
- ½ teaspoon Smoked paprika - Optional adds smoky depth
Instructions
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Prepare the onions by trimming, peeling, and hollowing them out
-
Cook the beef with chopped onion, mix in cheeses and seasonings, and let it cool
-
Stuff the beef-cheese mixture tightly into each hollowed onion
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Wrap the stuffed onions with bacon, secure with toothpicks, and place on baking sheet
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Bake until bacon is crisp and onions are tender, rest for 5 minutes before serving
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