Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Breadsticks

Recently I was introduced to the word "grissini".  Do you know the word?  Little did I know that grissini is the word for those long, pencil-thin, breadsticks you often see in Italian restaurants. 

The word came up in a discussion I was having about appetizers.  I was planning the appetizer course for a small dinner party and a friend recommended bacon-wrapped grissini.  Well, that was the first I had heard of this delectable little treat and of course, I wanted to try making some.

Breadsticks Wrapped with Spiced Bacon Appetizer

Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Breadsticks

 

I think you'll like my version of Bacon-Wrapped Grissini.  It's a good one.  Quick and easy, you'll love this tasty appetizer.

The Reasons You'll Love This Appetizer Recipe

The Ingredients are Simple: You'll find packages of grissini readily available at your local grocery store.  There are many brands and multiple flavorings.  I kept my breadsticks relatively simple and opted for plain ones, but feel free to experiment with other flavors.  

Pick a favorite brand of bacon. I suggest mixing it up a little with the bacon though as it is a key element in the flavor.  You can't go wrong, so just choose one.

The Appetizer is Quick and Easy to Make: Just wrap and roll the breadsticks.  After a few minutes in the oven, you'll have a crisp, delicious appetizer.

They are Customizable: You can vary the spices and vary the amount of heat.  You can make these appetizers with no heat at all.  

Sweet and Spicy Bacon Wrapped Breadsticks

The Ingredients

• 1/3 cup brown sugar, light or dark will work
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 pound bacon, slices cut in half
• 1 package grissini (thin breadsticks), broken in half

Directions

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.  Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with foil and inserting a baking rack on top of the foil.  The sugar and fat from the bacon will make a sticky mess. You will definitely want your baking sheet lined to help with the cleanup.  

Wrap each breadstick half with 1/2 slice of bacon starting at the top and leaving about an inch unwrapped at the bottom.  

Sweet, Non-spiced Bacon Version: You may want to roll some of your breadsticks in the unseasoned brown sugar for guests who may prefer less spice in their lives.  If so, pour the brown sugar into a rectangular dish breaking it up with a fork.  

Sweet, Spiced Bacon Version: If you choose to make only the spiced version add the chili powder, cumin, and salt.  Mix well to distribute the seasonings.  Roll each breadstick in the brown sugar mixture covering well. 

Roll in the Sugar Mixture

Lay the sugar-coated breadsticks on the baking rack and place the pan on the center rack of your preheated oven.

Use a Baking Rack

Bake for 20-30 minutes until browned.  

Remove from the oven and cool on the rack for 10 to 15 minutes.  The breadsticks soften in the baking process and you'll need to let them cool to firm up again.

Line the baking Pan with Foil

Serve to your guests and watch these babies disappear.  Yummy!

Yummy, Bacon Wrapped Grissini

Enjoy!