Bacon, Cheddar, and Spicy-Glazed Burger-Stuffed Onion Bombs

Ingredients

• 3 Large white or yellow onions (Peeled and cut crosswise in half; carefully separate the layers.)
• 1 lb Ground beef
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Ground black pepper
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 1 tsp Onion powder
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Hot sauce (Optional; adds the “firecracker” kick.)
• 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese (Incorporate into the filling.)
• 7 slices Bacon (Preferably thick-cut; use approximately 2 slices per bomb.)
• 0.5 cup BBQ sauce (For the optional, though recommended, glaze.)
• 1 tbsp Hot sauce (For the glaze.)
• 1 tbsp Honey (For the glaze.)

Steps

1. 1

   Prepare the onions: peel them and cut them crosswise in half. Carefully separate the layers so they do not break. Set aside two similarly sized outer layers to form each onion “shell.”

2. 2

   Place the ground beef in a large bowl. Add the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, and the teaspoon of hot sauce.

3. 3

   Mix the beef and seasonings with clean hands or a spatula until evenly distributed, taking care not to overwork the mixture.

4. 4

   Add the shredded cheddar cheese and gently fold it into the beef mixture until evenly distributed.

5. 5

   To assemble each bomb, place two onion layers together as a shell. Fill the center with a portion of the beef mixture, without overfilling, to prevent the onion from bursting during cooking.

6. 6

   Close each bomb by placing another onion layer on top. Completely wrap each stuffed onion with approximately two slices of bacon and, if necessary, secure the bacon with toothpicks.

7. 7

   To cook in the oven, preheat it to 375 °F (190 °C). Place the bombs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

8. 8

   Bake for 35–45 minutes, until the bacon is crisp and the meat reaches an internal temperature of 160 °F (71 °C), measured in the center of the filling.

9. 9

   Alternatively, cook the bombs in an air fryer at 375 °F (190 °C) for 18–22 minutes. Turn them halfway through if necessary to brown them evenly.

10. 10

    While they cook, combine the BBQ sauce, one tablespoon of hot sauce, and the honey in a small bowl until smooth.

11. 11

    During the last 5 minutes of cooking, brush the bombs with the glaze. For a more caramelized surface, place them under the oven broiler for 2–3 minutes, watching them closely so the glaze does not burn.

12. 12

    Remove the bombs and let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving. Remove the toothpicks before eating.

Notes

Serve with ranch dressing or spicy mayonnaise. For a burger-style presentation, add sesame seeds; you can also sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve over lettuce for a low-carb option. Do not overfill the onions. Thick-cut bacon works best for wrapping them.

Nutrition per serving

• main course
• burger
• baked
• air fryer
• high protein
• meat
• bacon
• cheese