Cheese Ball Bites - Superbowl Snack!

8 slices bacon
8-oz. block cream cheese, softened
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. paprika
Kosher salt & ground black pepper
1/3 c. freshly chopped chives
1/3 c. finely chopped pecans
18 pretzels sticks
If you use Gluten Free pretzels this easily could be a Gluten Free snack!

1. In a large nonstick skillet, cook bacon until crispy, 8 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate, then finely chop. Set aside.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and paprika and season with salt and pepper. Use a cookie scoop to form mixture into 18 small balls and transfer to a parchment–lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm, 1 hour.
3. In a shallow bowl, stir together bacon, chives, and pecans.
4. Roll balls in bacon-chive-pecan mixture, insert a pretzel stick into each, and let come to room temperature 15 minutes before serving. (If not serving right away, loosely cover with plastic wrap and return to fridge.)

TUPPS TIDBITS:  
Using a normal size "cookie scoop"  was a little big. We would recommend about 1/2 as much of the mixture for each bite.   Also, when rolling the balls in the bacon-chive-pecan mixture press the mixture firmly into the balls to make it stick.  

These easy bites are perfect for literally any occasion. We love their little pretzel handles, but feel free to leave them out and serve with crackers or pretzels. KEEPER recipe at our house!

Cinnamon Raisin Protein Bagel

Homemade Bagels! No need to waste money on store-bought or stand in line at bakery. You are going to love these. Homemade is the ONLY way!

Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups non-fat plain Greek yogurt (thicker brands work best)
1 tablespoon chia seeds​
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
¼ to ½ cup raisins
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Combine flour, baking powder, chia seeds & salt. Mix well.
• Add the yogurt and mix until all of the flour is incorporated into a dry batter. 
• Knead the dough with clean hands until its dry and elastic (this will take about a minute). 
• In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar & cinnamon until well combined, and knead into dough. 
• Then, knead in raisins until evenly distributed and divide dough into eight balls. 
• One at a time, roll each ball in your palm and form into one long rope (if it breaks apart, just squish it back together). 
• Lay each on the parchment paper & form into a circular shape, cinching the ends to complete a closed bagel. 
• Mist tops with oil spray and bake for about 25 minutes. Let cool before slicing.

Tupps Tibits:  Next time we make these we are going to use 1/2 whole wheat flour & 1/2 all purpose flour to make them a little less gritty or grainy tasting

Just a few ingredients and you have bagels. We topped them with fat free cream cheese.  Also, these did freeze wonderfully. When we were ready to enjoy, we thawed in the microwave, sliced & toasted. Or you could slice before freezing, and place directly in toaster from the freezer. This recipe will be used over and over in our house. Definitely a Keeper recipe!