Appetizers Archives

Category: Appetizers

10
Jun
2025

Crispy Chickpeas and Pistachios

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Make Crispy Chickpeas and Pistachios for a party appetizer or enjoy as a delicious snack! Crunchy and lightly seasoned, they’re delicious!

If you’re looking for a yummy, easy to make appetizer or snack, I hope you will check out this recipe for crispy chickpeas and pistachios! The recipe is delicious and only will take you about 5 minutes or less of prep time!

Canned chickpeas are rinsed, drained, seasoned and roasted, which turns them into a crunchy, snack, with lots of protein! This dish is perfect for a gameday snack or if you want to double or triple the recipe makes a wonderful appetizer for any party, family get together or potluck!

The recipe (as written) is for a single batch and makes just over 1¼ cups of roasted chickpeas (about 5 small servings), but it’s very easy to double or triple. Here’s how simple it is to make crispy chickpeas and pistachios.

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At the Bottom Of The Page

Prepare The Chickpeas For Roasting

Before beginning, preheat your oven to 400°F. The chickpeas are ready for roasting in just a couple of minutes, so make sure your oven is ready to go, in order to save time!

Drain and rinse one can (15.5 oz.) of chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans. Place the drained chickpeas in a small mixing bowl.

Drizzle the chickpeas with vegetable oil, toss to coat, and then add the spices. The spices you will need are coarse sea salt, ground cumin, ground black pepper and a small amount of cayenne pepper.

Toss the chickpeas well, to make sure they’re evenly covered with oil and the spices. Now the chickpeas are well-seasoned and ready to be roasted in the oven.

Spread the seasoned garbanzos out on a rimmed baking sheet as much as possible to ensure even roasting.

Roast The Seasoned Chickpeas

Place the baking sheet on the middle rack of your preheated oven. Bake the chickpeas for 18-20 minutes, stirring them every 4-5 minutes using a metal spatula.

When they’re done, the chickpeas should be golden brown and slightly crisp on the outside. Remove the pan from the oven.

Add shelled pistachios and fresh thyme leaves to the roasted chickpeas and put the baking sheet back into the oven for Round #2 of roasting.

Continue to bake for 10-12 additional minutes, or until the garbanzos become browned and crispy. When they’re done roasting, remove the chickpeas from the oven.

Let the crispy chickpeas and pistachios cool to room temperature, then transfer them from the baking sheet to a serving bowl.

Serve The Crispy Chickpeas And Pistachios

The crispy chickpeas and pistachios are a wonderful addition to any buffet table and will probably be gobbled up fairly quickly. If you will be serving them to a large group, you may want to consider doubling or tripling the original recipe to meet your needs!

Crispy, lightly seasoned and delicious, I am confident you’re going to enjoy this easy snack or appetizer. Be sure to store any leftovers in an airtight container to preserve their crunch.

I hope you have the chance to make these yummy roasted chickpeas for yourself and/or those you love. They disappear quickly, so I heartily recommend making a double batch!

Thank you for stopping by, and I invite you to come back again soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, may God bless you, and have a wonderful day, friend!

Looking For More SNACK And APPETIZER Recipes?

You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. I have a nice variety of snack and appetizer recipes to choose from, including:

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I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1^st and 15^th) with lots of recipes, tips, etc..
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Recipe adapted from the cookbook: “The Flavors of Bon Appetit”, page 19, published in 2004 by Conde Nast Books

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

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Crispy Chickpeas and Pistachios

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

35 mins

Make Crispy Chickpeas and Pistachios for a party appetizer or enjoy as a delicious snack! Crunchy and lightly seasoned, they're delicious!

Category: Appetizer/Snack

Cuisine: All Cuisines

Keyword: crispy chickpeas and pistachios

Servings: 5 (¼ cup per serving)

Calories Per Serving: 197 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

15.5 ounces canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans) rinsed and drained (1 can)
2 Tablespoon vegetable oil
½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ cup shelled pistachios
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Drain and rinse one can (15.5 oz.) of chickpeas. Place chickpeas in a mixing bowl.
Drizzle chickpeas with vegetable oil, toss to coat; add sea salt, cumin, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Toss chickpeas well, to make sure they're evenly covered with oil and spices. Spread garbanzos out on a rimmed baking sheet for even roasting. Place baking sheet on middle rack of oven.
Bake at 400℉. for 18-20 minutes, stirring every 4-5 minutes. When done, chickpeas should be golden brown and slightly crisp. Remove pan from the oven.
Add pistachios and fresh thyme leaves, stir to combine, then spread them back out on the baking sheet and put it back into the oven. Continue to bake 10-12 more minutes, or until chickpeas are browned and crispy; remove from oven. Let cool to room temperature, then transfer mixture to a serving bowl.
Serve (at room temp.) and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts

Crispy Chickpeas and Pistachios

Amount Per Serving (1 g)

Calories 197 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Trans Fat 0.04g

Polyunsaturated Fat 6g

Monounsaturated Fat 5g

Sodium 477mg21%

Potassium 263mg8%

Carbohydrates 16g5%

Fiber 5g21%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 128IU3%

Vitamin C 2mg2%

Calcium 48mg5%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

17
May
2025

Simple Fried Green Tomatoes

categories: Appetizers, Side Dishes, Vegetable Dishes

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Make a batch of classic Southern style Fried Green Tomatoes as a side dish or appetizer! They’re crispy, tangy, delicious, and easy to make.

In the Spring of 2024, my husband and I flew to Tennessee (Nashville and Franklin) to explore the area for a few days before we drove down to northern Georgia to visit my sister and my Mom.

It was our first night in Tennessee, so we went “all in” on “Southern” food. We had a fantastic dinner at Tupelo Honey Cafe, a well-known Southern restaurant located in several states. It was our first time ever going to this restaurant, and wow! We wish we had one here in Oregon because we loved it so much!

My husband and I ordered panko-crusted fried green tomatoes (served on goat cheese grits) for an appetizer, then ordered a “Mac-n-Cheese Waffle with Asheville Hot Fried Chicken” and “Tupelo Shrimp and Grits” for our main dishes. We absolutely loved it all (and the great service) and were amazed at how tangy (but oh so good) the fried green tomatoes were!

I came home from that trip determined to make fried green tomatoes (using our garden tomatoes), but only a simple recipe without grits, etc. A couple months later I picked several GREEN, unripe tomatoes from our little garden and turned to a “Southern” cookbook I’ve owned for many years for a basic recipe.

This is the result… simple fried green tomatoes (no frills) that taste wonderful! Here’s how to use unripe green tomatoes (from your garden or a farmer’s market) to make them.

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Prepare The Green Tomatoes

Rinse and de-stem 3 firm, unripe green tomatoes, then pat them dry with paper towels. Slice each of the tomatoes into 4″ round slices. Set the tomatoes aside.

In a medium-sized bowl whisk together an egg, milk, salt and black pepper until they are fully combined. Set this mixture aside.

On a large dinner plate, stir yellow cornmeal and all-purpose flour together until they’re fully blended.

Dip And Coat the Tomato Slices

Now it’s time to get the green tomato slices ready for frying! Preheat oil to 350°F. in a large skillet (or electric skillet if you have one). While the oil preheats, prepare the tomatoes for frying.

Doing ONE AT A TIME, dip a tomato slice into the egg mixture and turn it until it’s covered. Lift the slice up, letting any excess egg mixture drip back into the bowl.

Immediately lay the tomato slice in the cornmeal/flour mixture and dredge it in this coating, turning until all sides of each slice are covered. Place the prepared slice on the rim of the plate and repeat the process with the other slices.

TIP: Use the same hand for dipping and dredging, because it creates less messy hands! I use a plate for the flour mixture, so I can place coated slices on the rim to rest until they’re all ready to be fried.

Time To Fry The Tomatoes

When the oil has reached 350°F (or 180°C.), it is hot enough to fry the tomatoes. It’s extremely important the oil is at this temperature before beginning so it can crisp and brown the coating on the tomatoes!

Carefully place the tomato slices into the very hot oil (you may have to fry them in batches because you do not want to overcrowd the skillet!

Fry the tomatoes for a total amount of 3-5 minutes per batch, making sure to flip them to the other side about halfway through the frying time. When done, the outer coating should be golden brown in color on both sides and the coating should be crispy.

Remove the fried green tomatoes one at a time from the hot oil with a slotted spatula, to let oil drip back into the skillet. Lay the fried green tomatoes in a single layer on several thicknesses of paper towels, to absorb any remaining oil.

TIP: If you’re making lots (more than one batch), keep the fried green tomatoes warm while you fry up any additional batches. You can do this by placing them on a baking sheet and keeping them warm in a preheated 200°F. oven until you’re done frying and ready to serve all the tomatoes.

Serve The Fried Green Tomatoes

After the fried green tomatoes have rested briefly on the paper towels to absorb any remaining oil, they can be served. Carefully arrange the tomato slices on a serving plate or platter.

If desired, sprinkle them with additional salt or pepper (to taste), then garnish the tomatoes with a few sprigs of fresh thyme. Serve them while they are still hot and enjoy! They should be crispy on the outside and have a slight lemony tartness in each bite.

Note: If you follow the recipe below as written, there should be enough fried green tomatoes for three per serving, but the recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to suit your needs.

I hope you have a chance to make these delicious fried green tomatoes, whether you serve them as an appetizer or a side dish! They really are quite simple to make, and I trust you’ll enjoy them as much as we do!

Thank you for stopping by, and I invite you to come back again soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, may God bless you, and have a wonderful day!

Looking For More VEGGIE SIDE DISH Recipes?

You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. I have LOTS of delicious veggie side dish recipes to choose from, including:

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Original recipe source: “The SOUTH – The Beautiful Cookbook”, by Mara Reid Rogers, page 147, published by Harper Collins Publishers in1996

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Simple Fried Green Tomatoes

Make a batch of classic Southern style Fried Green Tomatoes as a side dish or appetizer! They're crispy, tangy, delicious, and easy to make.

Category: Side Dish, Vegetable Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: simple fried green tomatoes

Servings: 4 (3 slices per serving)

Calories Per Serving: 214 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

3 medium firm, unripe green tomatoes cored, each cut into 4 round slices
1 large egg
2 Tablespoons milk
½ teaspoons salt
¼ teaspoons black pepper
¾ cup yellow cornmeal
½ cup sifted all-purpose flour
vegetable oil, for frying ½" depth in large skillet

For Garnish (optional): Additional salt/pepper and thyme sprigs

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Rinse/ de-stem tomatoes and pat dry. Slice tomatoes into 4 slices. Set aside.
In a medium bowl whisk egg, milk, salt and pepper until combined. Set aside.
On a dinner plate, combine cornmeal and flour. Set aside.
Preheat oil to 350°F. in large skillet (or electric skillet). While oil preheats, prepare tomatoes. ONE AT A TIME, dip tomato slice into egg mixture; turn until it's coated on both sides. Lift slice up, letting excess liquid drip back into bowl. Immediately place tomato slice in cornmeal/flour mixture, turning until both sides are covered. Place prepared slice on the rim of the plate; repeat process with remaining slices.
When oil is 350°F (or 180°C.), it is hot enough to fry the tomatoes. Carefully place slices in hot oil (don't overcrowd skillet-fry in batches, if necessary). Fry tomatoes 3-5 minutes per batch, making sure to flip them over halfway through this time. When done, coating should be golden brown on both sides and crispy.
Remove fried tomatoes from the oil with a slotted spatula, to let oil drip back into the skillet. Lay tomatoes in a single layer on paper towels, to drain.
To serve, arrange tomato slices on a serving plate or platter. Sprinkle with salt or pepper (to taste), then garnish with sprigs of fresh thyme. Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Simple Fried Green Tomatoes

Amount Per Serving (1 (1/4 of total-approx. 3 slices))

Calories 214 Calories from Fat 27

% Daily Value*

Fat 3g5%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Trans Fat 0.01g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Cholesterol 47mg16%

Sodium 325mg14%

Potassium 332mg9%

Carbohydrates 39g13%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 8g16%

Vitamin A 675IU14%

Vitamin C 22mg27%

Calcium 33mg3%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

09
May
2025

Air-Fried Mozzarella Bites

categories: Air Fryer Recipes, Appetizers

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Serve yummy Air-Fried Mozzarella Bites with marinara dipping sauce and watch how fast they disappear! Crisp outside and melted cheese inside!

If you have an air fryer and enjoy “fried” mozzarella and sauce that is popular on restaurant menus, then check out the recipe today to see how to make them at home (for a fraction of the price)!

There’s not too much prep involved, and these delicious appetizers or snacks can even be frozen for a later date, which makes them convenient to have around! I love to make them in my air fryer instead of frying them in a skillet full of hot oil.

Air-Fried Mozzarella Bites come out crispy and golden on the outside, with warm, gooey melted cheese inside. They’re a favorite party food or game day appetizer to serve your family and friends. Here’s how to make them.

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Prepare The Mozzarella Cheese And Dipping Station

Open 6 individual packages of mozzarella string cheese, discarding the wrappers. Cut each piece in half in the middle so you end up with 12 string cheese halves.

Set out 3 separate “cereal-sized” bowls for the seasoning and dipping “station”. It works well to place them next to each other on the kitchen counter, so the dipping process is easier to manage.

FIRST BOWL: Place ½ cup of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of salt in the bowl and stir together until combined.

SECOND BOWL: Place 2 large eggs and beat them well with a whisk or fork until fully combined.

THIRD BOWL: Place 1 cup of Italian seasoned breadcrumbs and 1 teaspoon of salt. Stir until fully combined.

Pat the mozzarella half-sticks well using paper towels, so they are fully dry, then put them right in front of the seasoning bowls. Now it’s time to get the mozzarella bites ready!

Time To Coat The Mozzarella Bites

The best way I’ve found to coat the mozzarella bites is to do ONE AT A TIME! Place the mozzarella in the flour and turn it until it is covered on all sides.

Put the flour-covered cheese in the egg mixture and use a fork (it’s messy!) to turn it until all sides are covered with egg. Lift the cheese up to let any excess egg drip back down into the bowl.

Lay the floured, egg-coated piece of cheese into the seasoned breadcrumbs and roll it in this mixture until it is well-coated on all sides.

IMPORTANT: Now repeat this process again on the same piece of cheese! Dip it back in the flour, back in the egg, then give it a final roll in the breadcrumbs!

Each piece of mozzarella needs to be processed this way (2 times for each piece of mozzarella!). As you finish each one, place it on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet, then go to the next piece.

Ready To Freeze

When you’re done, you should have 12 mozzarella bites that have each been “covered” two times. Lay them with a space in between each one (in a single layer) on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet and place them in the freezer for 2 hours. This will “flash-freeze them. Don’t skip this step!

This freezing time is very important so the air-fried mozzarella bites will be solid and hold together once they are in the hot air fryer! This recipe will yield 12 air-fried mozzarella bites. When they’ve been flash-frozen for two hours they can be removed and air-fried immediately.

Can They Be Made Ahead?

YES! You can pre-make the mozzarella bites, flash-freeze them for two hours and keep them in the freezer for several weeks or until you want to cook all or a few of them).

If you will be doing this, transfer the frozen mozzarella sticks off the baking sheet and store them in a freezer-safe resealable bag or container.

Time To Cook The Air-Fried Mozzarella Bites

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Spritz the mozzarella sticks lightly (on top) with cooking spray, olive oil or vegetable oil. Lay the frozen (do not thaw) mozzarella sticks in a single layer, spritzed side UP in the basket.

Cook them for 3 minutes, then open the air fryer and gently turn the cheese bites over to the other side. Lightly spritz the other side with oil or cooking spray, then continue cooking for about 3 more minutes (approx. 6 minutes total time).

When done, the air-fried mozzarella bites should be heated all the way through and should be crispy and golden in color on the outside. Some of the melted cheese could also be present on the surface as it oozes out very slightly while cooking.

Serve And Enjoy!

Transfer the HOT mozzarella bites to a serving plate with a small dish of warm marinara sauce on the side, for dipping! TIP: Let the mozzarella bites cool very slightly before digging in because the cheese inside is very hot when they first come out of the air fryer!

It is fun taking that first bite because the string cheese is gooey, melted, and has a good long “pull” of warm, stringy cheese! YUM!

Lots of melted cheese inside each bite and dipping each air-fried crispy bite in marinara sauce adds to the overall great taste! YUM!

I hope you have the opportunity to make these fun appetizers for those you love, and trust you’ll love them as much as we do! Thank for stopping by, and please come back again soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, may God bless you, and have a wonderful day.

Looking For More APPETIZER Recipes?

You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. I have a wonderful variety of appetizer recipes (no air fryer necessary) to check out, including:

Want More Recipes? Get My FREE Newsletter!

I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1^st and 15^th) with lots of recipes, tips, etc..
Would you like to join our growing list of subscribers?

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use.
You can submit your e-mail address there, to be added to my mailing list.

Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
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Original recipe source: “Food Network Magazine”, January/February 2021 issue, page 41

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

0 from 0 votes

Air-Fried Mozzarella Bites

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

6 mins

Inactive FREEZING time

2 hrs

Total Time

2 hrs 21 mins

Serve yummy Air-Fried Mozzarella Bites with marinara dipping sauce and watch how fast they disappear! Crisp outside and melted cheese inside!

Category: Appetizer/Snack

Cuisine: All Cuisines

Keyword: air-fried mozzarella bites

Servings: 12 (1 per serving)

Calories Per Serving: 100 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

6 1 oz. sticks mozzarella string cheese (part-skim) cut in half across width
½ cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt (DIVIDED USE)
2 large eggs beaten/whisked until combined
1 cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs

Dipping Sauce: Marinara Sauce (approx. ½ cup)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Cut each piece of string cheese in half widthwise. Pat pieces dry with paper towel.
Set out 3 small bowls side by side with the following ingredients. FIRST BOWL: Place flour and 1 tsp. of salt in bowl; stir together until combined. SECOND BOWL: Add eggs; beat with a whisk or fork until combined. THIRD BOWL: Stir seasoned breadcrumbs and 1 tsp. of salt together until combined.
Place one cheese piece in flour mixture; turn until covered on all sides. Put flour-covered cheese in the egg mixture; use a fork to turn it until all sides are covered with egg. Let excess egg drip back down into the bowl. Lay floured, egg-coated cheese in the breadcrumbs; roll until well-coated on all sides. IMPORTANT: Repeat this process again on the same piece of coated cheese! Dip it back in the flour, back in the egg, then give it a final roll in the breadcrumbs! **Finish all remaining cheese pieces the same way (coating each piece 2 times)
Lay each piece with a space in between each one (in a single layer) on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. You should have 12 mozzarella bites that have each been "covered" two times. Place them in the freezer for 2 hours. This will "flash-freeze them. Don't skip this step!
To Cook: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Spritz each piece lightly (on top) with cooking spray, olive oil or vegetable oil. Lay frozen mozzarella bites (do not thaw) in a single layer, spritzed side UP in the basket. Cook for 3 minutes, then turn each piece over. Lightly spritz top side with oil or cooking spray; continue cooking for about 3 more minutes (approx. 6 minutes total time). When done, mozzarella bites should be heated through and crispy, golden brown on the outside.
Transfer mozzarella bites to a serving plate with a dish of warm marinara sauce on the side, for dipping! TIP: Let mozzarella bites cool slightly before serving because the cheese inside is very hot when they first come out of the air fryer! Enjoy.

Recipe Notes

NOTE: This caloric calculation is an estimate only, made using an online ingredient calculation program. It does not include marinara sauce because the amount used, or varieties may differ greatly. Also- please note that the FULL calorie amounts for the flour, eggs and breadcrumbs are included in the caloric calculation, but you may not use the entire amount for the preparation.

Nutrition Facts

Air-Fried Mozzarella Bites

Amount Per Serving (1 mozzarella bite)

Calories 100 Calories from Fat 27

% Daily Value*

Fat 3g5%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Trans Fat 0.003g

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g

Monounsaturated Fat 0.4g

Cholesterol 38mg13%

Sodium 641mg28%

Potassium 40mg1%

Carbohydrates 11g4%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 64IU1%

Vitamin C 0.3mg0%

Calcium 24mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

16
Apr
2025

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

categories: Appetizers

3 Shares

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Roasted Red Pepper Hummus is a yummy appetizer that’s so easy to make! Serve with crackers, pita chips, or an assortment of fresh veggies!

When I first tried hummus many years ago, I didn’t know what to expect. I thought I might not like it, but it turns out it’s DELICIOUS! A few years later I finally make homemade hummus for the first time (and have made it many times in the years since then).

My husband occasionally buys red pepper hummus at the grocery store, and I started wondering why I hadn’t made this type of hummus before. I always have the ingredients for hummus on hand and also had a jar of roasted red peppers in our pantry, so I made some and it tasted GREAT!

Don’t really know why it took so long to photograph it and finally post the recipe, but I’m doing that now! Here’s how SIMPLE it is to make roasted red pepper hummus for a wonderfully delicious appetizer or snack.

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

What Do I Need To Make This Hummus?

To make the hummus you’ll need a can of garbanzo beans (chickpeas), sesame tahini paste, roasted red peppers, olive oil, garlic and fresh lemon juice.

If you’re not familiar with tahini paste, it can be found in most grocery stores nowadays. It is a creamy paste made by finely grinding sesame seeds and resembles natural-style peanut butter in consistency.

A Little Prep!

This recipe only takes a couple minutes of prep. First, rinse and then drain a 15 oz. can of garbanzo beans (also known as chickpeas). Garbanzo beans are a GREAT source of fiber and protein!

Open the jar or can of tahini paste and give it a good stir to combine the oil that has separated from the paste. You should end up with a thick paste that resembles a light-colored peanut butter.

Remove some roasted red peppers from the jar, then finely chop them. Continue cutting until you have enough to make 4 Tablespoons of chopped peppers. Remove 1 teaspoon of the chopped peppers and set them aside for later, to “garnish” the finished hummus.

Let’s Make Some Hummus!

Place drained garbanzo beans, tahini paste, the remaining chopped red peppers, fresh squeezed lemon juice and minced garlic into a food processor.

Pulse these ingredients several times until the mixture becomes thick and slightly chunky, as shown below.

Add 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil to the hummus a little bit at a time while the food processor is running. When you add the oil to the top “dispenser”, it allows the oil to drip through very slowly, which is what you want!

Continue processing the roasted red pepper hummus until all the olive oil is added and the hummus is smooth and creamy. Transfer the hummus out of the food processor and into a serving bowl.

Serve And Enjoy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Drizzle the reserved ½ Tablespoon of olive oil over the top of the hummus right before serving. Sprinkle the reserved chopped roasted red peppers on top, to add a pop of color. You can also top the hummus with sesame seeds, if desired (not shown).

Place the roasted red pepper hummus dish on a serving platter and surround it with colorful fresh veggies, crackers and/or pita bread wedges or pita chips for dipping. Serve and enjoy this delicious appetizer!

Veggies (like the celery shown below) are the perfect scoopers for the creamy roasted red pepper hummus. They also add a wonderful crunch that goes so well with creamy hummus!

Set out a plate of roasted red pepper hummus for your next get together and watch how fast it disappears! It’s a great party or potluck dish and the recipe can EASILY be doubled or tripled to suit your needs.

I hope you really enjoy making your very own roasted red pepper hummus, and trust you’ll enjoy it as much as we do! It’s a great way to get kids to eat their veggies! In our home it is always a welcome treat and seems to disappear in a couple of days.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, and I invite you to come back again soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, may God bless you, and have a wonderful day!

Looking For More APPETIZER Recipes?

You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. I have lots of delicious appetizer recipes you might enjoy, including:

Want More Recipes? Get My FREE Newsletter!

I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1^st and 15^th) with lots of recipes, tips, etc..
Would you like to join our growing list of subscribers?

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use.
You can submit your e-mail address there, to be added to my mailing list.

Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

0 from 0 votes

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

0 mins

Total Time

10 mins

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus is a yummy appetizer that's so easy to make! Serve with crackers, pita chips, or an assortment of fresh veggies!

Category: Appetizer/Snack

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Keyword: roasted red pepper hummus

Servings: 6

Calories Per Serving: 155 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

15 ounces canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans) =1 can, rinsed and drained
4 Tablespoons chopped roasted red peppers * divided use
2½ Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil * divided use
2½ Tablespoons tahini paste stirred well
1½ Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1½ teaspoons minced garlic
salt and pepper, to taste

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Rinse and drain garbanzo beans. Stir tahini paste well, to incorporate the oil that has separated from the paste.
Finely chop 4 Tablespoons of canned red peppers. Remove 1 teaspoon of the peppers; set aside for later, to "garnish" finished hummus.
Place garbanzo beans, tahini paste, remaining chopped red peppers, lemon juice and garlic into a food processor. Pulse several times until mixture is thick/chunky.
Add 2 Tablespoons olive oil to the hummus a little at a time while the food processor is running. Add the oil to the top "dispenser", allowing the oil to drip through very slowly. Continue processing hummus until the olive oil is added and hummus is smooth and creamy. Transfer hummus into a serving bowl.
To Serve- Drizzle reserved ½ Tablespoon olive oil over the top of the hummus. Sprinkle with reserved red peppers. Put hummus dish on a serving plate; surround it with fresh veggies, crackers, pita bread wedges or pita chips. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Amount Per Serving (1 (1/6 of total))

Calories 155 Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Fat 11g17%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Polyunsaturated Fat 3g

Monounsaturated Fat 6g

Sodium 464mg20%

Potassium 152mg4%

Carbohydrates 12g4%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 0.1g0%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 66IU1%

Vitamin C 7mg8%

Calcium 39mg4%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

30
Nov
2024

Chili Lime Roasted Pecans

categories: Appetizers, Holidays!

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Make 3 cups of Chili Lime Roasted Pecans for snacking, charcuterie boards, OR gift-giving! Nicely seasoned and crunchy, they are delicious!

If you’re looking for an incredibly easy-to-make snack, may I suggest checking out this recipe for chili lime roasted pecans? They’re delicious, and I’m confident you will enjoy them.

I found the original recipe many yeas ago in one of my old cookbooks, and I want to share it with you today, so you can enjoy them, too! They have great flavor, only a few simple ingredients AND you can make this recipe from start to finish in 20 minutes or less!

Because I am posting this recipe in the middle of the busy holiday season, I’d also like to mention that these pecans are a great foodie gift, too! Here’s how to make yummy Chili Lime Roasted Pecans.

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Make The Seasoning Mix

The first thing you will need to do is preheat your oven to 350°F. so it will be ready to go as soon as the pecans are seasoned and ready for roasting.

To make the seasoning mix you are going to need fresh lime juice, olive oil, paprika, salt, chili powder and cayenne pepper.

Stir all these ingredients together in a large mixing bowl until fully combined and no lumps remain. You need a large enough bowl to hold 3 cups of pecan halves, which will be added later.

Season The Pecans Before Roasting

Place 3 cups of unsalted pecan halves in the bowl of seasoning mix. Gently stir, until all the pecans are coated with the seasoning mix.

Time To Bake

Now the pecans are ready for the oven (see how fast that was?). Line a large baking sheet or jelly roll pan with parchment paper (or aluminum foil, if you don’t have access to parchment paper).

Spread the seasoned pecans out on the baking sheet in a single layer, trying to leave a tiny bit of space between the nuts (for best result).

Bake the pecans at 350°F. for 12-14 minutes. Every 3-4 minutes, remove the pecans from the oven. Give the pecans a quick stir, then re-spread them on the parchment paper and pop them back in the oven.

When done, the seasoning should be dry on the pecans. Sometimes little tiny pieces that have broken off may get too crispy because of their size, but that is to be expected.

Serve The Chili Lime Roasted Pecans

Once the pecans are finished roasting, transfer the parchment paper (and pecans) off of the baking sheet and let them cool completely before serving.

When they are at room temperature, place them in a bowl and serve as a snack OR add them to a cheese platter or charcuterie board, etc.

The chili lime roasted pecans can also be a fun gift when wrapped or put in decorative containers and given to those you love for a delicious treat! They also freeze well, so you can make them ahead of time and enjoy later!

I hope you have the chance to make these delicious snacks, and trust you’ll enjoy the chili lime roasted pecans as much as I do!

Thanks for stopping by, and I invite you to come back again soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, may God bless you… and have a wonderful day!

Looking For More SNACK Recipes?

You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have lots of great appetizer and snack recipes to check out, including:

Want More Recipes? Get My FREE Newsletter!

I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1^st and 15^th) with lots of recipes, tips, etc..
Would you like to join our growing list of subscribers?

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use.
You can submit your e-mail address there, to be added to my mailing list.

Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Original recipe source: “Southern Living 2009 Annual Recipes”, page 247, published by Oxmoor House, Inc.

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

0 from 0 votes

Chili Lime Roasted Pecans

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

12 mins

Total Time

17 mins

Make 3 cups of Chili Lime Roasted Pecans for snacking, charcuterie boards, OR gift-giving! Nicely seasoned and crunchy, they are delicious!

Category: Appetizer/Snack

Cuisine: All Cuisines

Keyword: chili lime roasted pecans

Servings: 12 (1/4 cup per serving)

Calories Per Serving: 183 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 cups pecan halves unsalted/ unroasted

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350℉. Line a large baking sheet or jellyroll pan with parchment paper (or foil).
Stir lime juice, olive oil, paprika, salt, chili powder and cayenne pepper together in a large mixing bowl until fully combined.
Add pecans to the bowl of seasoning mix. Gently stir, until all pecans are coated. Spread seasoned pecans on prepared baking sheet in a single layer, leaving a bit of space between the nuts (for best results).
Bake at 350°F. for 12-14 minutes. Every 3-4 minutes, give the pecans a quick stir, then re-spread them and put them back in the oven. When done, seasoning should be "dry" on the pecans.
Transfer the parchment paper (and pecans) off the baking sheet; let pecans cool completely before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Chili Lime Roasted Pecans

Amount Per Serving (1 (¼ cup per serving))

Calories 183 Calories from Fat 171

% Daily Value*

Fat 19g29%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Polyunsaturated Fat 5g

Monounsaturated Fat 11g

Sodium 197mg9%

Potassium 112mg3%

Carbohydrates 4g1%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 164IU3%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 19mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

14
Oct
2024

Chocolate Dipped Fall Pretzels

categories: Appetizers, Chocolate, Desserts, Holidays!

5 Shares

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Make a batch of Chocolate Dipped Fall Pretzels! Fall colors are highlighted in this simple, sweet snack for kids of all ages!

It’s Fall (hooray!), and today I want to share a simple way to make chocolate dipped Fall pretzels! These delicious, colorful snacks are perfect for the Fall season, snacks for football games, harvest parties, etc.

You will need a bag of mini pretzel twists (only used 60 pretzels), bags of colored chocolate candy wafers, decorative sprinkles… and a tiny bit of patience, because each pretzel is hand-dipped! They’re not hard to make at all- they just take a small amount of your time (about 30 minutes).

If you have a little extra time to make these, go for it! Put on some great music in the background, and have fun making these festive Fall treats! They’re delicious! Here’s how to make chocolate dipped Fall pretzels.

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Melt The Chocolate Candy Wafers

I used vanilla flavored chocolate “candy wafers” for this batch of chocolate dipped Fall pretzels. The colors I bought were yellow, orange and white. Most craft store carry these and you can also buy them online, if desired.

I bought three 12 oz. bags ($2.57 each) at Hobby Lobby, but only used ½ of the bag of yellow, ½ of the bag of orange, and ¼ of the bag of white wafers to make 60 dipped pretzels.

Place each color of wafers in a separate microwave-safe bowl. Working with only one color at a time, place the bowl in the microwave and heat for 30 seconds at half-power (50-60%).

Remove, and “stir” the wafers, then repeat. *At first you may not notice any change*. Continue to heat in 30 second increments, then stir. Gradually the wafers will begin to melt (you have to stir them each time!).

IMPORTANT: Microwaving them on too high of a heat level may burn them, so it’s important to take your time with them. When ready for dipping, the chocolate should be smooth and free of any lumps.

Dip The Pretzels Then Add Sprinkles

Now it’s time to dip the pretzels (one at a time) in the melted chocolate, covering all sides. Let excess chocolate drip back into the bowl. You can do a small “touch up” with tiny bit of chocolate to cover where you held (or lifted) the pretzel during dipping (once it’s placed on parchment paper).

TIP: I’ve found it helpful to use a chopstick to poke through the holes in the pretzels to let the excess chocolate drip back into the bowl. If the chocolate thickens and begins hardening while dipping, pop it back in the microwave for a quick reheat, stir, and continue.

After dipping a pretzel, place it on a large sheet of parchment paper. Immediately add decorative sprinkles to the “wet” chocolate before it hardens (fairly quickly).

Do this for each pretzel. Dip.. sprinkle…then repeat with the next pretzel. Use one hand for dipping, and your other clean hand to add the sprinkles!

Move On To The Next Color

Once a batch of one color is completed, repeat the process with another color. Melt chocolate, dip pretzels, add sprinkles and let them sit. Continue until you have used all your colors and as many pretzels as you want (I didn’t even use HALF a bag of pretzels for this amount).

For this “recipe” I used vanilla flavored candy wafers in white, yellow and orange, but most craft stores (or online) sell a variety of colors (and flavors) to choose from.

When all the pretzels have been dipped, let them sit for about 15 minutes to let the chocolate coating harden, then pull them off the parchment paper, and mix the colored pretzels together.

TIP: Be sure to verify the chocolate has hardened completely before removing and combining the pretzels.

Serve The Chocolate Dipped Fall Pretzels

Once the chocolate coating has completely hardened, the pretzels can be served! Place them on a decorative platter, and stack the pretzels, combining the various colors.

You can also mix them and place the chocolate dipped Fall pretzels in a cellophane bag, and tie it with a pretty Fall ribbon. This makes a cute snacking gift for a friend or family members.

A gift bag full of colorful chocolate covered pretzels can also be a cute little seasonal hostess gift! The possibilities are endless, especially if you experiment with various colors and sprinkles for other seasons!

I hope you have the opportunity to make these chocolate dipped Fall pretzels! Yes, they do take a little bit of hands-on time to make, but they are such a yummy, fun snack for the Fall season!

It took about 30 minutes for me to make 60 chocolate covered pretzels, but I think they are delicious, so cute… and well worth my time!

I couldn’t find any Fall-themed decorative sprinkles in 3 different stores I visited (sigh), so I learned how to make my own (black, orange and white), and used them for this recipe. It’s easier than I thought, and I’ll post the recipe for how to make them as soon as possible.

Thank you for stopping by, and i invite you to come back soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, may God bless you… and have a wonderful day!

Looking for More SNACK Recipes?

You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. I have some fun and delicious snacks to choose from, including:

Want More Recipes? Get My FREE Newsletter!

I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1^st and 15^th) with lots of recipes, tips, etc..
Would you like to join our growing list of subscribers?

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use.
You can submit your e-mail address there, to be added to my mailing list.

Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

0 from 0 votes

Chocolate Dipped Fall Pretzels

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

0 mins

Total Time

30 mins

Make a batch of Chocolate Dipped Fall Pretzels! Fall colors are highlighted in this simple, sweet snack for kids of all ages!

Category: Appetizer/Snack, Desssert

Cuisine: All Cuisines

Keyword: chocolate dipped Fall pretzels

Servings: 12 (about 5 per serving)

Calories Per Serving: 336 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

60 Pretzel Mini Twists
15 ounces chocolate candy wafers =total amount used (yellow/orange/white)
⅓ cup decorative sprinkles

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Place each color of wafers in a separate microwave-safe bowl. Working with one color at a time, place bowl in microwave; heat 30 seconds at half-power (50-60%). Remove, and "stir" wafers, then repeat. At first you may not notice any melting. Continue to heat in 30 second increments, stirring after each time. When ready for dipping, chocolate should be smooth and lump-free. IMPORTANT: Microwaving at too high of a heat level may burn them, so it's important to take your time and trust the process.
Dip pretzels (one at a time) in melted chocolate, covering completely. Let excess chocolate drip into bowl. TIP: Use a chopstick to poke through holes in the pretzels so excess chocolate drips back into bowl. If chocolate begins hardening while dipping, pop it back in the microwave for a quick reheat; stir, and continue.
After dipping a pretzel, place it on parchment paper. "Touch up" pretzel (if needed) with chocolate to cover where you held it during dipping. Immediately add sprinkles to the "wet" chocolate before it hardens. Use one hand for dipping, and your other hand to add sprinkles! Once a batch of one color is completed, repeat process with other colors.
Let dipped pretzels rest 15-20 minutes to let chocolate harden, then pull them off the parchment paper, and mix pretzels together. TIP: Make sure chocolate has hardened completely before removing/ combining pretzels. Store leftover pretzels in an airtight container. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

NOTES: The amount or pretzels and candy wafers is used as a baseline only. I only made 60 dipped pretzels, using a PARTIAL amount of the candy wafers from each bag.

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Dipped Fall Pretzels

Amount Per Serving (5 pretzels)

Calories 336 Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Fat 11g17%

Saturated Fat 10g63%

Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g

Monounsaturated Fat 0.2g

Sodium 382mg17%

Potassium 67mg2%

Carbohydrates 54g18%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 30g33%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 8mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

06
Mar
2024

Taco-Spiced Cheese Crackers

categories: Appetizers

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Make Taco-Spiced Cheese Crackers as a delicious snack! Recipe makes 12 (½ cup) servings of baked cheese crackers coated with seasoning sauce.

If you’re looking for a yummy snack that is REALLY EASY to make, check out this recipe for Taco-Spiced Cheese Crackers!

These taco-spiced snacks are made with store-bought cheese crackers (i.e. Cheese-Its). They’re combined with and coated in a 4 ingredient sauce and then baked for one hour. That’s it!

The result is a crisp, wonderfully flavored munchie that I’m confident you and your family (and friends) will enjoy! This recipe will produce about 6 cups in total, and the finished crackers will last for quite awhile, if stored in airtight containers!

Here’s how to make Taco-Spiced Cheese Crackers. Hope you like them!

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Make The Seasoning Sauce

Melt a stick of butter (½ cup) in a medium-sized saucepan on low heat. Once it has melted, add taco seasoning mix, Worcestershire sauce and salt, and stir well, until combined.

Season The Cheese Crackers

This mixture is the seasoning sauce that gives the cheese crackers their flavor! It doesn’t look like much, but it is a powerhouse of flavor.

Pour the cheese crackers into a large mixing bowl, and then pour the warm seasoning sauce over them.

Add all the sauce, and then gently stir this mixture until all the crackers have been covered with the seasoning sauce.

Bake The Taco-Spiced Cheese Crackers

Lay the seasoned crackers out on a very large baking sheet (13″ or 15″ long) with rimmed edges. If you don’t have access to a LARGE baking sheet, try cooking them in batches or on two small baking sheets.

Spread the crackers out on the pan, trying to put the crackers in a single layer, as much as possible. This helps spread them out so the sauce bakes (and dries) on them evenly!

Bake the taco-spiced cheese crackers at 250°F. for 1 hour. Give them a good stir, then re-position them on the baking sheet every 15 minutes while they bake.

Cool Then Serve The Taco-Spiced Cheese Crackers

When the crackers are finished baking, transfer them off the baking sheet and onto a large sheet of parchment or wax paper. Spread them out, and let them cool to room temperature.

I hope you have the chance to make these delicious snack crackers, and trust you will enjoy them as much as we do!

Thank you for stopping by, and I invite you to come back soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, may God bless you, and have a GREAT day!

Looking For More SNACK Recipes?

Yu can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. I have a nice variety of snack recipes to choose from, including:

Want More Recipes? Get My FREE Newsletter!

I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1^st and 15^th) with lots of recipes, tips, etc..
Would you like to join our growing list of subscribers?

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use.
You can submit your e-mail address there, to be added to my mailing list.

Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Original recipe source: “The Spirit Of Christmas Cookbook”, page 158, published in 1996 by Leisure Arts, Inc.

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

0 from 0 votes

Taco-Spiced Cheese Crackers

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

1 hr

Total Time

1 hr 5 mins

Make Taco-Spiced Cheese Crackers as a delicious snack! Recipe makes 12 (½ cup) servings of baked cheese crackers coated with seasoning sauce.

Category: Appetizer/Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: taco-spiced cheese crackers

Servings: 12 (½ cup per serving)

Calories Per Serving: 223 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

6 cups cheese crackers (small) (i.e. Cheese-Its - a 12.4 oz. package)
½ cup butter (1 stick) melted
1 oz. taco seasoning mix = 1 pkg.
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon seasoning salt

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 250℉ / 121℃.
Melt butter in a medium-sized saucepan on low heat. Once melted, add taco seasoning mix, Worcestershire sauce and salt. Stir well, until combined.
Put the cheese crackers in a large bowl; pour seasoning sauce over them. Add all the sauce; gently stir this mixture until all the crackers are covered with sauce.
Spread crackers out in a single layer a on large baking sheet (13" or 15" long) with rimmed edges. Bake the taco-spiced cheese crackers at 250°F. (or 121℃) for 1 hour. Give them a good stir, then re-position them on the baking sheet every 15 minutes while they bake.
When crackers finish baking, transfer them onto parchment or wax paper. Spread them out; let them cool to room temperature before serving. Store crackers in airtight container at room temperature. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Taco-Spiced Cheese Crackers

Amount Per Serving (1 (½ cup per serving))

Calories 223 Calories from Fat 144

% Daily Value*

Fat 16g25%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Trans Fat 0.3g

Polyunsaturated Fat 4g

Monounsaturated Fat 4g

Cholesterol 20mg7%

Sodium 597mg26%

Potassium 44mg1%

Carbohydrates 19g6%

Fiber 0.4g2%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 0.1g0%

Vitamin A 459IU9%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 34mg3%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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15
Dec
2023

Ranch Pretzel Bites

categories: Appetizers

6 Shares

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Make a big batch of Ranch Pretzel Bites for snacking or gift-giving! They’re easy to make, and are baked in a buttery seasoning sauce!

If you’re looking for a delicious, easy to make snack OR a “foodie” gift for family, friends, or co-workers, may I suggest Ranch Pretzel Bites?

This recipe is one I found almost 30 years ago in one of my cookbooks, and it’s so easy to make! Store-bought pretzel twists are coated in a buttery seasoning sauce, then baked for an hour. That’s it!

The seasoning sauce (with Ranch seasoning) bakes right onto the pretzels, leaving them with wonderful flavor and a crispy bite. They are really so simple to prepare.

You can enjoy these pretzel bites as a tasty snack OR put them in a cute container as a food gift for someone you love. Here’s how to make yummy Ranch Pretzel Bites.

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Make The Ranch Seasoning Sauce

Before making the sauce, preheat your oven to 250°F. The seasoning sauce takes only a minute or two to prepare, so you want the oven preheated and ready, to save time!

Melt a stick of butter in a saucepan on Low heat. Once the butter has partially melted, add a packet of Ranch seasoning mix, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoning salt.

Stir these ingredients together until they are fully incorporated into the melted butter. This is the seasoning sauce for the pretzels.

Season The Pretzels

Place the pretzel twists in a large mixing bowl, then pour the seasoning sauce all over the top of them. Use tongs or two large spoons to gently toss the pretzels.

Continue tossing the pretzels until all the sauce has been distributed, and the pretzels are fully coated.

Time To Bake!

Spread the seasoned pretzels out in a single layer (as much as possible) on a large, rimmed baking sheet. If there is any sauce left in the bowl, simply distribute it over the pretzels.

Stir these ingredients together until they are fully incorporated into the melted butter. This is the seasoning sauce for the pretzels.

Bake the ranch pretzel bites at 250°F. for 1 hour. Every 15 minutes, gently toss (and flip) the pretzels, then re-arrange them on the baking sheet and continue cooking.

When the pretzels have finished baking, transfer them onto wax paper or parchment paper on the counter.

Allow the ranch pretzel bites to fully cool to room temperature before serving or packaging them in gift containers.

Serve The Ranch Pretzel Bites

Once at room temperature, these yummy snacks are ready to be enjoyed. Place them in a large bowl, and watch how fast they disappear!

These crispy little snacks also make great gifts! Pack them into cute gift jars or containers, then give a thoughtful food gift to someone you care for.

Be sure to store any leftover pretzel bites in an airtight bag or container, for freshness.

I hope you have the chance to try ranch pretzel bites for yourself. They are delicious, and quite addicting, so you may find yourself (or your family) going back often for more!

If you enjoy pretzels, be sure to check out my recipe for Chocolate Dipped Fall Pretzels! They’re colorful, sweet and delicious snacks to enjoy eating (or giving as a food gift) during the Fall season OR any time of the year!

Thanks for taking the time to stop by, and I invite you to come back again soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, may God bless you, and have a GREAT day!

Looking For More SNACK OR APPETIZER Recipes?

You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. I have some delicious recipes for snacks and appetizers you might enjoy, including:

Want More Recipes? Get My FREE Newsletter!

I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1^st and 15^th) with lots of recipes, tips, etc..
Would you like to join our growing list of subscribers?

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use.
You can submit your e-mail address there, to be added to my mailing list.

Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Original recipe source: “The Spirit Of Christmas Cookbook”, page 158, published by Leisure Arts, Inc. in 1996

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

5 from 1 vote

Ranch Pretzel Bites

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

1 hr

Total Time

1 hr 5 mins

Make a big batch of Ranch Pretzel Bites for snacking or gift-giving! They're easy to make, and are baked in a buttery seasoning sauce!

Category: Appetizer/Snack

Cuisine: All Cuisines

Keyword: ranch pretzel bites

Servings: 12 (½ cup per serving)

Calories Per Serving: 178 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

6 cups pretzels (mini-twist) (approx. ¾ of a 15 oz. bag=12 oz.)
½ cup butter (1 stick)
1 pkg. Ranch salad dressing mix
1 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon seasoning salt

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Preheat oven to 250°F.
Melt butter in a saucepan on Low heat. Add Ranch seasoning mix, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoning salt. Stir until fully combined, then remove from heat.
Put pretzels in a large bowl. Pour sauce on top. Use tongs or 2 large spoons to gently toss pretzels until all sauce is distributed, and pretzels are fully coated.
Spread seasoned pretzels in a single layer on a large, rimmed baking sheet. Bake at 250°F. for 1 hour. Every 15 minutes, gently toss the pretzels, then re-arrange on baking sheet and continue cooking.
When done, transfer pretzels to wax paper or parchment paper. Cool to room temperature before serving or packaging in gift containers. Store leftovers in airtight containers. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Ranch Pretzel Bites

Amount Per Serving (0.5 cup)

Calories 178 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 5g31%

Trans Fat 0.3g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 2g

Cholesterol 20mg7%

Sodium 411mg18%

Potassium 136mg4%

Carbohydrates 25g8%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 0.1g0%

Protein 3g6%

Vitamin A 237IU5%

Vitamin C 0.5mg1%

Calcium 12mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

21
Nov
2023

Pecan Pineapple Cheese Ball

categories: Appetizers, Holidays!

6 Shares

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Serve a delicious Pecan Pineapple Cheese Ball with crackers at your next party! This simple appetizer recipe makes TWO yummy cheese balls!

I don’t know about you, but our family can sure put away a homemade cheese ball when we get together! When I set a cheese ball and crackers out at a holiday event or family gathering, it’s one of the first things to disappear!

The recipe I’m sharing today is a recipe I found in a cookbook from almost ten years ago. I made a couple slight changes to the original, and love the look and taste of this yummy appetizer!

I’m pretty confident you will love it, too! Let me show you how truly easy it is to make a pecan pineapple cheese ball (recipe makes TWO medium cheese balls).

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Make The Cheese Balls

Place a softened block (8 ounces) of cream cheese in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese until it becomes smooth and fluffy.

Add 1 cup of chopped pecans (half of the total amount), drained crushed pineapple, green and red bell peppers, green onions and seasoning salt.

Stir these ingredients together until they have been fully combined. The cream cheese mixture will be thick and will seem quite “wet”.

Shape The Cheese Balls

Once combined, use a large spoon to divide the cream cheese mixture into two equal halves while it is still in the bowl (just “eyeball it”). Set the mixture aside.

Cover The Cheese Balls With Pecans

Divide the remaining cup of chopped pecans in half. Place one portion on a small plate, and reserve the other half.

Use your hands (yes, it will be slightly “messy”), and shape one portion of the cream cheese mixture into a round ball.

Place the pecan pineapple cheese ball in the middle of the pecans on the plate. Gently roll the cheese ball around until completely covered with pecans. If necessary, gently press the pecans into the cheese ball to adhere.

When you are finished with the first cheese ball, place it on a large piece of plastic wrap on a flat surface. Create the second cheese ball using the same process (with the other half of the reserved pecans).

Refrigerate The Cheese Balls

Wrap each cheese ball in the plastic wrap, and place on a flat surface in the refrigerator. Refrigerate them for at least two hours.

Don’t skip this step! The refrigeration time allows the cream cheese to firm up once again, and lets the flavors “mingle” together, for the very best taste!

Serve The Pecan Pineapple Cheese Ball

When ready to serve the pecan pineapple cheese ball, remove the plastic wrap, and place the cheese ball on a pretty plate or serving platter.

Serve it with an assortment of crackers (and a little spreading knife), and watch how fast it disappears once it is presented!

You can keep the second cheese ball refrigerated for a few days (for the next round), or serve both if providing appetizers for a large group of people.

Wrap and store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days, OR give one (with some crackers) as a thoughtful food gift to a family member or friend!

I hope you try this amazing appetizer at your next get-together! It’s delicious! The pecan pineapple cheese ball is a popular treat that typically goes fast!

You can easily double or triple the recipe and make several cheese balls for gift-giving, too! A delicious cheese ball is always a welcome and delicious treat for those you love.

Thanks for stopping by, and I invite you to come back again soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, may God bless you, and have a GREAT day!

Looking For More APPETIZER Recipes?

You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. I have a wonderful variety of delicious appetizers to choose from, including:

Want More Recipes? Get My FREE Newsletter!

I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1^st and 15^th) with lots of recipes, tips, etc..
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There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use.
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Adapted from: “Have Yourself A Homemade Christmas”, page , published 2014 by Time Home Entertainment, Oxmoor House, and Gooseberry Patch

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

0 from 0 votes

Pecan Pineapple Cheese Ball

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

0 mins

Inactive Refrigeration Time

2 hrs

Total Time

2 hrs 10 mins

Serve a delicious Pecan Pineapple Cheese Ball with crackers at your next party! This simple appetizer recipe makes TWO yummy cheese balls!

Category: Appetizer/Snack

Cuisine: All Cuisines

Keyword: pecan pineapple cheese ball

Servings: 16 (Yields 2 cheese balls)

Calories Per Serving: 132 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

8 ounces light cream cheese (or regular)-softened
2 cups chopped pecans *DIVIDED USE
8 ounces crushed pineapple (canned) drained well
¼ cup chopped green bell pepper
3 Tablespoons chopped red bell pepper
2 Tablespoons chopped green onion bulb and stem
¾ teaspoon seasoning salt

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Place cream cheese in a medium mixing bowl. Use electric mixer to beat cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
Add 1 cup pecans, pineapple, green/red bell peppers, green onions and seasoning salt. Stir until fully combined. Divide mixture into two equal halves while still in the bowl ("eyeball it"). Set aside.
Divide remaining 1 cup of pecans in half. Place ½ cup pecans on a small plate and spread them out. Use hands (slightly messy), to shape cream cheese mixture into a ball. Place cheese ball on top of pecans on the plate. Gently roll cheese ball around until fully covered with pecans. If necessary, gently press pecans into cheese ball, to adhere. Place cheese ball on a large piece of plastic wrap. Repeat process with remaining mixture and pecans.
Wrap each cheese ball in plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 2 hours. Don't skip this step! Refrigeration time allows cream cheese to firm up again, and lets flavors "mingle", for the very best taste!
To serve, remove plastic wrap; place cheese ball on serving platter with assorted crackers. Serve, and enjoy! Wrap/store leftover cheese ball in refrigerator up to 4-5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Pecan Pineapple Cheese Ball

Amount Per Serving (1 (1/16 of total))

Calories 132 Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Polyunsaturated Fat 3g

Monounsaturated Fat 6g

Cholesterol 8mg3%

Sodium 160mg7%

Potassium 118mg3%

Carbohydrates 6g2%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 164IU3%

Vitamin C 6mg7%

Calcium 34mg3%

Iron 0.4mg2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!

12
Jul
2023

Classic Cannellini Bean Dip

categories: Appetizers

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Classic Cannellini Bean Dip is a simple, delicious appetizer! Make it in 10 minutes, then serve with crackers or pita chips for dipping!

If you enjoy eating hummus, I am confident you are going to love this classic cannellini bean dip! This delicious appetizer is made using canned cannellini beans, and it is sure to please!

I made some recently for a birthday BBQ for my husband, and put this out as an appetizer before our grilled burgers and all the fixin’s. This cannellini bean dip was a big hit, served with pita chips for dipping. It’s so GOOD.

I found the original recipe in a cookbook I had from renown chef Jacques Pépin, and when I made it, it did not disappoint! Classic Cannellini Bean Dip is VERY simple to make, and only takes about 10 minutes, from start to finish! Here’s how to make it.

Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page

Introducing The Star Of the Show

Yes, friends, the star of the show is the humble cannellini bean! For this appetizer, you will need to have a can of cannellini beans. They are an inexpensive bean (this can of beans cost .79¢), and are also referred to as white kidney beans.

Cannellini beans are a very common canned ingredient, and can be found in the “bean” section of almost any local grocery store. If you enjoy this versatile bean, be sure to check out my recipe for Greek Cannellini Bean Stew! It’s so good!

Rinse the beans and drain them before beginning. Once drained, measure out 1/3 cup of the beans and set them aside (they will be used later to garnish the finished dip).

Prepare Classic Cannellini Bean Dip

Place the remaining cannellini beans (NOT the reserved ones) in a food processor or a blender. Process them until they are mostly smooth.

Add minced garlic, diced bread, olive oil, water, ground cumin, salt, black pepper and Tabasco sauce to the beans.

Continue processing until all the ingredients are fully incorporated, and the bean dip is very smooth and creamy.

You may need to scrape down the sides of the processor or blender a couple times during this step, if necessary.

Spoon the cannellini bean dip into a pretty serving bowl. Use the back of a spoon to create a “well” in the center of the dip.

This “well” will need to be large enough to hold the reserved cannellini beans. Now it’s time to finish garnishing the dip before serving.

Prepare The Cannellini Bean Dip For Serving

Place the reserved cannellini beans into the “well” you created in the center of the dip. Drizzle olive oil over the beans and the dip.

Sprinkle the top of the dip lightly with paprika and poppy seeds, then add either chopped fresh parsley OR a couple sprigs of parsley.

Enjoy the Cannellini Bean Dip!

At this point, the classic cannellini bean dip is ready to enjoy! Serve with pita chips, tortilla chips, or crisp (fancy) crackers! Watch how quickly this tasty appetizer disappears.

If necessary, you can also make the dip a couple hours ahead of serving time. Cover the bowl and refrigerate it until serving time.

After refrigerating, let the dip sit out (uncovered) for about 15 minutes before serving, for best presentation.

I hope you’ll give this yummy appetizer a try. It tastes a lot like hummus, so it will be devoured quickly! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Thanks for stopping by, and I invite you to come back again soon for more family-friendly recipes. Take care, may God bless you, and have a great day.

Looking For More APPETIZER Recipes?

You can find ALL of my recipes in the Recipe Index, which is located at the top of the page. I have some delicious appetizers to choose from, including:

Want More Recipes? Get My FREE Newsletter!

I publish a newsletter 2 times per month (1^st and 15^th) with lots of recipes, tips, etc..
Would you like to join our growing list of subscribers?

There is a Newsletter subscription box on the top right (or bottom) of each blog post, depending on the device you use.
You can submit your e-mail address there, to be added to my mailing list.

Find Me On Social Media:

Facebook page: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Pinterest: The Grateful Girl Cooks!
Instagram: jbatthegratefulgirlcooks

Recipe adapted from: “Jacques Pépin Heart & Soul In The Kitchen”, page 10, published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Co. in 2015

↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓

0 from 0 votes

Classic Cannellini Bean Dip

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

0 mins

Total Time

10 mins

Classic Cannellini Bean Dip is a simple, delicious appetizer! Make it in 10 minutes, then serve with crackers or pita chips for dipping!

Category: Appetizer

Cuisine: All Cuisines

Keyword: cannellini bean dip

Servings: 8 servings (1/4 cup per serving)

Calories Per Serving: 143 kcal

Author: JB @ The Grateful Girl Cooks!

Ingredients

For Dip:

15.5 ounce canned cannellini beans rinsed, drained *DIVIDED USE
1 teaspoon minced garlic
½ cup diced bread cubes no crusts (I use white bread)
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 Tablespoon water
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
1 pinch ground black pepper
½ teaspoon Tabasco sauce

Garnishes:

⅓ cup reserved cannellini beans (from above)
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
¼ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon poppy seeds
1 pinch red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley or 2-3 sprigs

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Rinse beans and drain. Once drained, measure out 1/3 cup of beans and set them aside (they'll garnish the finished dip).
Place remaining cannellini beans in food processor or blender. Process until mostly smooth.
Add garlic, bread cubes, olive oil, water, cumin, salt, pepper and Tabasco sauce. Continue processing until bean dip is very smooth and creamy. You may need to scrape down sides of the processor or blender 2-3 times during this step.
Spoon cannellini bean dip into a serving dish. Use spoon to create a "well" in the center of the dip. This "well" needs to be large enough to hold reserved beans.
To garnish: Place remaining beans into the "well". Drizzle olive oil over beans and dip. Sprinkle lightly with paprika, poppy seeds and parsley (chopped or leaves).
Serve with pita chips, tortilla chips, or crisp crackers! NOTE: If necessary, you can make this dip 1-2 hours hours ahead. Cover bowl and refrigerate. After refrigerating, let dip sit at room temp. (uncovered) for 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Classic Cannellini Bean Dip

Amount Per Serving (1 (1/4 cup per serving))

Calories 143 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Trans Fat 0.001g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 6g

Sodium 172mg7%

Potassium 261mg7%

Carbohydrates 14g5%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 0.4g0%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 37IU1%

Vitamin C 0.3mg0%

Calcium 49mg5%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!