Category: Appetizers, Desserts & Snacks

Bagel-Seasoned Saltines

Ever since I made a batch of Fire-Eater saltines I just cannot stop making flavor after flavor of crackers. You can use just about any seasoning you like, but whatever you do, you have to make these bagel-seasoned saltines. Poppy and sesame seeds combined with onion and garlic flavors, with just a hint of fennel (use a little or a lot, but start with a little) make for the perfect combination. There’s really no point in only making one sleeve of these saltines, they won’t last that long at all.

Bagel-Seasoned Saltines

More Seasoning, More Better


The seasoning may have trouble adhering to the crackers. If that happens to you add a bit more oil. Or just sprinkle the saltines with a bit more seasoning right before serving. Either way, everyone will love these bagel-seasoned saltines.

365 by Whole Foods Market, Salted Saltine...
365 by Whole Foods Market, Salted Saltine…
  • Classic saltine crackers made with simple, quality…
  • Free from preservatives and hydrogenated oils
$3.14 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Also try my baked seasoned Ritz crackers and my nacho cheddar saltines.

Bagel-Seasoned Saltines
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Bagel-Seasoned Saltines

I just cannot stop making flavor after flavor of crackers. You can use just about any seasoning you like, but whatever you do, you have to make these bagel-seasoned saltines. 
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword crackers, seasoned
Prep Time 12 hours
Total Time 12 hours
Servings 40 crackers
Calories 34kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

For the Saltines

For the Bagel seasoning (makes approx 5 tablespoons)

Instructions

For the Saltines

  • Place crackers in a large resealable bag or container.
  • Pour in the oil.
  • Sprinkle with the seasoning.
  • Seal and gently toss to coat.
  • Let sit (on the counter) for 12 hours to get ‘happy’, tossing gently every once-in-a-while.

For the Bagel seasoning

  • Combine all ingredients.

Notes

Store leftovers in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 34kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 109mg | Potassium: 17mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline...
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline…
  • Meal Prep MVP – A practical and innovative way to…
  • 12 Diverse Blades – With nine interchangeable…
$39.99
Buy on Amazon
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring...
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring…
  • Set includes: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup and 1 cup
  • Magnetic handles keep Cups together for storage…
$22.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Bacon Cheddar Pinwheels

I was looking for a quick-and-simple meal idea when I came across this recipe for bacon cheddar pinwheels. Lucky me, I had everything I needed to make them on-hand. You can make any variation you want, substituting any kind of cheese or meats, but I went with the classic combination of ham and cheddar. With bacon, of course. I wouldn’t skip the bacon. You could, I guess, but that crunch really makes the pinwheels a little extra special.

Bacon Cheddar Pinwheels

Make Them Your Way

You can add a bit (and I do mean just a bit) of mustard or sandwich spread on top of the meats before rolling the dough up into a loaf, but don’t go overboard. You don’t want the dough to get soggy and begin to burst open while it’s baking. These can always be served with mustard, mayonnaise, or whatever you prefer, on the side.

I highly recommend that you shred or grate your own cheese at home. Don’t buy the pre-shredded or pre-grated stuff. It has stuff added to it to keep it from sticking together. That ‘stuff’ affects how the cheese melts. Shred it yourself and use the good stuff.

Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline...
Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline…
  • Makes Everything Simple : Just forget your bagged…
  • Premium Material : All parts of the rotary cheese…
$28.97
Buy on Amazon

I cut our bacon cheddar pinwheels fairly thick since we were eating them as a main dish. If you serve them as appetizers you can cut them smaller and get a lot more servings. You can make the ‘logs’ ahead of time and bake them just in time for your guests to arrive so they are hot and ooey gooey.

Also try my BBQ pinwheels.

Bacon Cheddar Pinwheels
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Bacon Cheddar Pinwheels

I was looking for a quick-and-simple meal idea when I came across this recipe for pinwheels. Lucky me, I had everything i needed to make them on-hand. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword bacon, cheese, wraps
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 558kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Plain Chicken

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 6 slices bacon
  • 11 ounce French bread dough you can also use canned or fresh pizza dough
  • 1 cup extra sharp Cheddar cheese shredded
  • 18 slices sandwich meat

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 390 F.
  • Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  • Add the strips of bacon (do not overlap) and place in oven for 15 minutes.
  • Flip bacon and cook another 10-15 minutes or until crispy. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  • Reduce oven to 350 F.
  • Remove foil from pan (if there’s lots of grease you may wish to dab it up first with a paper towel), wad up and dispose.
  • Spray the pan with non-stick spray.
  • Open the can of dough and unroll. Use a rolling pin if needed to smooth it out into a square or rectangle (mine wanted to be a square), but don’t let the dough get too thin. If desired, take a pizza wheel and cut off any jagged edges (but only if you’re picky like I am).
  • Sprinkle the cheese around the dough, leaving a 1″ border around all edges.
  • Add the sandwich meats and cooked bacon.
  • Starting on one edge, roll the dough up into a tight log.
  • Seal the ends and seam by pinching the sides together.
  • Cut a few small slits into the top of the loaf and transfer to the baking sheet, seam-side down. I used two large spatulas, gently sliding them under the log, to transfer the dough without problem.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing as thin or thick as desired.

Notes

You can use any sandwich meat you like or mix it up by using several different meats!

Nutrition

Calories: 558kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 130mg | Sodium: 1891mg | Potassium: 453mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 295IU | Calcium: 214mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline...
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline…
  • Meal Prep MVP – A practical and innovative way to…
  • 12 Diverse Blades – With nine interchangeable…
$39.99
Buy on Amazon
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring...
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring…
  • Set includes: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup and 1 cup
  • Magnetic handles keep Cups together for storage…
$22.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Waffle Iron Chocolate Chip Cookies

My sweet tooth was calling my name. At first it was telling me to make brownies on the waffle iron again, which were a real crowd pleaser. I resisted, so the voice and I compromised on chocolate chip cookies made on the waffle iron. Quick, easy, and yep, they taste just like chocolate chip cookies…. because they are. They are decidedly different and fun to eat. Would I make them every day? Nah, probably not but I sure would like to! Oh, and topped with ice cream?!!

Waffle Iron Chocolate Chip Cookies

Tricky Sticky

I found getting the cookies off the hot waffle iron to be challenging. I found a solution to the problem, though. I turn off the iron and let them cool completely. I can then slide a knife beneath them and they come right off. The waffle iron chocolate chip cookies get nice and crunchy after cooling. Perfect for dunking. Perfect for topping with ice cream. Or just whipped cream for that matter.

Cuisinart Waffle Maker, 5-Setting Browning...
Cuisinart Waffle Maker, 5-Setting Browning…
  • SUPERIOR FUNCTION: This Cuisinart Waffle Maker…
  • EASY TO USE: This traditional round classic large…
$34.95 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Also try my waffle iron eggs and biscuits.

Waffle Iron Chocolate Chip Cookies
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Waffle Iron Chocolate Chip Cookies

Quick, easy, and yep, they taste just like chocolate chip cookies…. because they are.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword cookies, waffles
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 24 minutes
Total Time 29 minutes
Servings 6 large cookies
Calories 226kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 package cookie dough I used a Nestle’s Tollhouse bar, but you can also use dough in a tube

Instructions

  • Preheat your waffle iron and spray with non-stick spray.
  • I put 4 pieces of dough onto my small iron at once. I let them touch so that when I closed the iron it would form one large cooking. You can do it however you like. One at a time, two at a time, whatever works for you.
  • Close the lid and let cook 3-6 minutes or until starting to get dark.
  • Turn off the iron and let cool 5 minutes before carefully removing the cookie.
  • Let cool completely. The cookie will get crunchier as it cools.
  • Continue cooking by turning your iron back on and reheating it before adding more dough.

Notes

Total cook time shown is for 6 large cookies, each made from 4 sections of dough. You can make more, or less.

Nutrition

Calories: 226kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 19IU | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Pancake Batter Dispenser, Squeeze Handle for...
Pancake Batter Dispenser, Squeeze Handle for…
  • MESS-FREE PANCAKES! KPKitchen proudly presents our…
  • STRONGER DESIGN – REINFORCED FOR DURABILITY! Our…
$19.99
Buy on Amazon

Cauliflower Nachos

Who needs all the carbs you find in traditional nachos? Well, here’s the solution if you’re watching your carbohydrates. Perfectly roasted cauliflower topped with your favorite nacho toppings, such as cheese, guacamole, and salsa! Heck, you don’t even have to be counting carbs to enjoy these cauliflower nachos. And you might not even miss the traditional layer of crispy tortilla chips. If you’re really hankering for the ‘real’ thing, I’d suggest using as many toppings as possible to ‘hide’ the fact that the chips are no longer there.

Cauliflower Nachos

Low Carb And Tasty. Say What?

These remind me of another low-carb version of a dish: mashed cauliflower. Just like the potato version, but without the carbs. We make them often and always enjoy folk’s reaction when we tell them they aren’t eating mashed potatoes.

Pico de gallo is another great thing to put on nachos. Ditto black olives.

I highly recommend that you shred or grate your own cheese at home. Don’t buy the pre-shredded or pre-grated stuff. It has stuff added to it to keep it from sticking together. That ‘stuff’ affects how the cheese melts. Shred it yourself and use the good stuff.

Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline...
Geedel Rotary Cheese Grater, Kitchen Mandoline…
  • Makes Everything Simple : Just forget your bagged…
  • Premium Material : All parts of the rotary cheese…
$28.97
Buy on Amazon

For other delicious low-carb snacks, make some Buffalo cauliflower bites and cauliflower popcorn.

Cauliflower Nachos
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Cauliflower Nachos

Who needs all the carbs you find in traditional nachos? We’ll, here’s the solution if you’re watching your carbohydrates. Perfectly roasted cauliflower topped with your favorite nacho toppings.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword cauliflower, nachos
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8
Calories 78kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Place cauliflower pieces in a large bowl.
  • Add the oil and toss gently to coat.
  • Add the salt, cumin, paprika, chili powder and garlic powder. Toss to coat.
  • Pour cauliflower out on a large baking sheet and spread out evenly.
  • Roast in the oven for 30-40 minutes or until the cauliflower is golden in color and the edges have started to crisp.
  • Sprinkle with the cauliflower with the cheeses and return to the oven for 5 minutes to melt the cheese.
  • Serve topped with salsa, guacamole and jalapeños.

Notes

Add a little pepper jack for a nice kick!

Nutrition

Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 442mg | Potassium: 234mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 167IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 123mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline...
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline…
  • Meal Prep MVP – A practical and innovative way to…
  • 12 Diverse Blades – With nine interchangeable…
$39.99
Buy on Amazon
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring...
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring…
  • Set includes: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup and 1 cup
  • Magnetic handles keep Cups together for storage…
$22.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Skittles Popcorn

We had a sort-of-good turnout this year at Halloween. Trick-or-treaters came in waves, but not big waves like we had last year. That means we were left with a big ole bowl (actually, three bowls) of leftover Halloween candy. I’m a big fan of Skittles candies, so we had lots of Skittles… so I made Skittles popcorn! Fun to make, the popcorn tastes a bit like caramel corn, but with the sweetness cranked up a few notches. Tangerine, lemon, berry, grape and pear flavors exploded everywhere! And of course, the colors are awesome and oh so fun!

Skittles Popcorn

A Big Bowl Of Colorful Sweetness!

Skittles popcorn is mighty darned tasty (and sweet). It doesn’t get super-duper crunchy like caramel corn but it’s still a great treat. And it doesn’t take a whole lot of Skittles candies to make a whole lot of popcorn, either. You’ll want to make extra because this stuff is great!

Fresh Is Best, But…

I like to use freshly-popped popcorn in this recipe. I like the hands-on part of it. It’s like I’m being a mad scientist creating this crazy concoction in my kitchen. “More red Igor! More red!” Ok, maybe I’ve shared too much now… You can use pre-popped popcorn instead. Here in Indiana we of course have great popcorn because we have great corn! My favorite store-bought pre-popped popcorn is Valley Pop. It’s crazy addictingly good. It comes in a few different flavors, but for this recipe you’ll want plain. Totally plain. A little salt and that’s it. None of that fancy buttery stuff, save that for movie watching later.

West Bend Stir Crazy Hot Oil Popcorn Popper...
West Bend Stir Crazy Hot Oil Popcorn Popper…
  • Popcorn Popper Machine: Make enough popcorn to…
  • Convenient Features: This countertop popcorn…
$45.87 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Some of the colors get a bit thin as they melt, so don’t be afraid to have a few drops of food coloring on hand to bump up the colors.

Also try my red velvet popcorn.

Skittles Popcorn
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Skittles Popcorn

Make a single batch each of your favorite color, then combine for the full rainbow effect!
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword popcorn
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 31 minutes
Servings 4 cups
Calories 737kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

The recipe makes a single batch of your favorite color. Make several batches, using a different color of Skittles for each one. Then combine for the full rainbow effect!

  • Pop your corn according to package instructions. Place in a bowl and set aside.
  • Rip a sheet of waxed paper (about 8" – 10' long) and place on your counter.
  • Melt butter and brown sugar on the stove on medium heat. Stir frequently to avoid scorching.
  • Pour in the Skittles candies. Stir until melted (you might need to mash them down to help them dissolve). Add food coloring if you desire more color.
  • Once done melting pour the hot candy mixture over the top of the popcorn.
  • Use a spatula and fold in the mixture throughout the popcorn until will covered.
  • Dump the popcorn onto the waxed paper and spread thinly to allow to cool.
  • If you wish to make popcorn balls, allow mixture to cool for 3 – 4 minutes (or until you can touch it). Then, spray cooking spray or butter your hands and form the popcorn into balls shapes. Set aside.
  • Allow all to fully set (around 15 – 20 minutes)
  • Store in airtight containers for about a week

Notes

Nutritional values do not include the Skittles.

Nutrition

Calories: 737kcal | Carbohydrates: 150g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 49mg | Potassium: 524mg | Fiber: 21g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 47IU | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Kernel Season's Popcorn Seasoning Variety Pack...
Kernel Season’s Popcorn Seasoning Variety Pack…
  • Variety is the spice of life! Try out all Kernel…
  • With only 2 calories per serving Kernel Season’s…
$13.85 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Cheddar Walnuts

I’m usually a pecan kind of guy, but these cheddar walnuts made a walnut believer out of me with just one nut. Great buttery texture with a sharp cheddar coating, these nuts disappear in no time. I made the nuts two ways: a nice mellow cheddar version, and a spicy fiery cheddar version. My wife took these walnuts to work, and I can tell you I definitely didn’t make enough. They were loved by all!

Cheddar Walnuts

Go Nuts With It

There’s no reason you couldn’t use the same approach I used to make cheddar walnuts on other nuts. Pecans or peanuts are great. Just keep in mind, smaller nuts will roast quicker, so you might want to cut back on the baking time.

I like spicy foods, so I wouldn’t be afraid to double the hot and spicy ingredients. Nothing wrong with a super-duper double-spicy version. But I would put up a little sign by them if I was serving them to a crowd. No point in hurting someone!

Hoosier Hill Farm Cheddar Cheese Powder, 1LB (Pack...
Hoosier Hill Farm Cheddar Cheese Powder, 1LB (Pack…
  • Hoosier Hill Farm Cheddar Cheese Powder is a…
  • How to Use Cheddar Cheese Powder: Sprinkle…
$14.99
Buy on Amazon

This recipe was inspired by a recipe from California Walnuts.

Cheddar Walnuts
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Cheddar Walnuts

There’s no reason you couldn’t use the same approach I used to make cheddar walnuts on other nuts, such as pecans or peanuts. Just keep in mind, smaller nuts will roast quicker, so you might want to cut back on the baking time.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword cheese, nuts
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 cups
Calories 849kcal
Author Based on a recipe from California Walnuts

Equipment

Ingredients

For the dry ingredients

For the wet ingredients

For the nuts

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350 F.
  • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

For the dry ingredients

  • Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl.

For the wet ingredients

  • Whisk together all ingredients in a large bowl.

For the nuts

  • Add the walnuts to the wet ingredients and stir until well coated.
  • While still stirring, slowly pour in the dry ingredients, coating the nuts completely.
  • Pour the walnuts out onto the parchment paper, spreading out evenly.
  • Bake for 6 minutes, then stir and bake another 6-8 minutes or until lightly browned.

Notes

You can also make these recipe using pecans.

Nutrition

Calories: 849kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 84g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Sodium: 57mg | Potassium: 565mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 585IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Sale
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline...
Mueller Pro-Series All-in-One, 12 Blade Mandoline…
  • Meal Prep MVP – A practical and innovative way to…
  • 12 Diverse Blades – With nine interchangeable…
$39.99
Buy on Amazon
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring...
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring…
  • Set includes: 1/4 cup, 1/3 cup, 1/2 cup and 1 cup
  • Magnetic handles keep Cups together for storage…
$22.99 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Scorpion Tails

I’ve made ‘normal’ jalapeno poppers on my grill, smoker and using my Char-Broil Big Easy many, many times. These scorpion tails are like jalapeno poppers, but they’re a bit more fru-fru shall we say. Instead of cream cheese I used velvety smooth Havarti cheese. Havarti is one of the favorite cheeses in our household, often found on our sandwich wraps and grilled cheese sandwiches. Instead of smoky bacon I used prosciutto. You still get that same wonderful pepper flavor, and a little kick, and pork yummy-ness. Just a bit more special, and definitely something different to amaze and wow your guests!

Scorpion Tails

Go Light With Any Seasoning

I often dust my jalapeno poppers with my favorite rub before cooking them, but I decided to skip doing that with these scorpion tails. I didn’t want anything to mask the flavors of the cheese and prosciutto. You can certainly add some rub or seasoning if you wish. But if it was me, I’d skip it or keep it very light.

I recommend that you use a grill basket when making this dish. It makes cooking easier and you don’t have to worry about anything falling through the grates. And cleanup is easier too!

Weber Crafted® Roasting Basket, Stainless‑Steel...
Weber Crafted® Roasting Basket, Stainless‑Steel…
  • Create food never thought possible in a grill with…
  • Designed to perfectly roast small, delicate food…
$99.98 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

For a totally different take on jalapeno poppers, try some okra poppers. Yeah, okra.

Scorpion Tails
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Scorpion Tails

These scorpion tails are like jalapeno poppers, but they’re a bit more fru-fru shall we say. 
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword grilled, jalapeno
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 18 bites
Calories 84kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

  • 9 jalapenos halved, membranes and seeds removed
  • 9 ounces jalapeno Havarti cheese softened
  • 18 slices prosciutto

Instructions

  • Fire up your smoker for smoking at 250 F. Use a medium wood such as hickory.
  • Fill the jalapeno halves with the cream cheese. I've found that I can spread the cheese in with a knife if it has softened enough. If not, just cut the cheese into thin slices and then fill the peppers.
  • Wrap each pepper in a slice of prosciutto.
  • Smoke for 20-30 minutes or until softened.

Notes

You can substitute cream cheese for the spicy cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 84kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 160mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 191IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Smoke Tube for Pellet Smoker, 12'' Smoker Tube for...
Smoke Tube for Pellet Smoker, 12” Smoker Tube for…
  • 【BILLOWING SMOKE AND BIG CAPACITY】 The pellet…
  • 【UNFORGETTABLE FLAVORS FOR HOT AND COLD…
$9.95
Buy on Amazon

Cedar-Plank Twinkies

Grilled Twinkies are a great thing. Cedar-plank Twinkies are a wonderful thing. Just a light hint of cedar takes a simple dessert to a new place. You can top them with whatever you have on hand. For me that meant Nutella (a good thing no matter what, but also good to keep your other toppings from falling off of the Twinkies), ooey-gooey marshmallows, crunchy toffee and of course, whipped cream.

Cedar-plank Twinkies

Load ‘Em Up!

Ice cream, toasted nuts, cherries, anything you can find while be good on cedar-plank Twinkies. Just don’t leave the Twinkies on the grill too long or the cedar flavor might get too strong. You want that hint of cedar to kind of be lurking in the background and not jumping right out at you. You can also skip the cedar plank and grill the Twinkies directly on your grill.

Cooking on cedar planks can really change the ordinary into something special, which is why I do it often. For an appetizer, you’ll love my plank-smoked Camembert.

Cedar Grilling Planks - 12 Pack - Made In USA
Cedar Grilling Planks – 12 Pack – Made In USA
  • Textured Grilling Planks for More Smoke and More…
  • 5.5″. x 11.00″ x 1/3″ – Upgraded Thickness!
$16.99
Buy on Amazon

For something truly special you’ll want to make my red white and blue cedar planked Brie.

Cedar Planked Twinkies
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Cedar-Plank Twinkies

Grilled Twinkies are a great thing. Cedar-plank Twinkies are a wonderful thing. Just a light hint of cedar takes a simple dessert to a new place. 
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword cedar plank, dessert
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 814kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Soak plank in water for 1 hour.
  • Fire up a grill for indirect 300 F grilling.
  • Place Twinkies on the plank.
  • Slather tops with the Nutella.
  • Sprinkle with the marshmallows and toffee.
  • Place on the grill and grill for 15 minutes or until the marshmallows have started to melt.
  • Serve topped with whipped cream and whatever other toppings you enjoy.

Notes

Roast some peanuts on the grill. Shell them and sprinkle them over the finished Twinkies for a great crunchy treat!

Nutrition

Calories: 814kcal | Carbohydrates: 99g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 38g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 96mg | Potassium: 474mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 87g | Vitamin A: 344IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Cedar Grilling Planks - 12 Pack - Made In USA
Cedar Grilling Planks – 12 Pack – Made In USA
  • Textured Grilling Planks for More Smoke and More…
  • 5.5″. x 11.00″ x 1/3″ – Upgraded Thickness!
$16.99
Buy on Amazon

Save

Sno-Cone Syrup

Yes, I do have a machine that shaves ice. I mean, why wouldn’t I? Everyone loves sno-cones. I used to buy big bottles of sno-cone syrup at the store (due to occasional laziness) and finally asked myself how hard could it really be to make some at home? The answer? It’s not hard at all and the homemade sno-cone syrup flavors are so much more bold. I keep a few different ones on hand in squeeze bottles, ready to make delicious sno-cones at a moment’s notice.

Sno-Cone Syrup

Summer Fun

Here’s the ice shaver that I use. It’s small, fairly cheap, and has held up for years. Just add a few ice cubes and turn it on and it starts shooting out perfectly shaved ice in an instant. This is what makes summer fun! And it brings back a lot of childhood memories too!

Sale
Hawaiian Shaved Ice Kid-Friendly Electric Snow...
Hawaiian Shaved Ice Kid-Friendly Electric Snow…
  • Home Snow Cone Maker: Make shaved ice right in…
  • Compatible Ice Options: Use homemade cube ice or…
$54.99
Buy on Amazon

Also try my cherry limeade.

Sno-Cone Syrup
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Sno-Cone Syrup

Yes, I do have a machine that shaves ice. I mean, why wouldn’t I? Everyone loves sno-cones. 
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword syrup
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 2 cups
Calories 774kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan.
  • Bring to a boil over high heat and let boil for 1 minute, stirring.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the flavor packet.
  • Allow to cool in the fridge for 1 hour before using.

Notes

Keep syrup in the fridge until ready to use.

Nutrition

Calories: 774kcal | Carbohydrates: 200g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 4mg | Sugar: 200g | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

New Star Foodservice Condiment Squeeze Bottle Set...
New Star Foodservice Condiment Squeeze Bottle Set…
  • 3-Pack Food-Safe Commercial-Grade Plastic: Made…
  • Versatile Use for Sauces, Oils, and Condiments…
$15.99
Buy on Amazon

BBQ Pulled Pork Poutine

I’m a big fan of poutine. It’s definitely one of my favorite dishes. I’ve made it the classic way (fries, curds, gravy) many times. This time I thought I’d try a totally different approach to poutine. I topped the fries with smoked BBQ pulled pork instead. A handful or two of curds and a pickle garnish and I was in poutine heaven again.

BBQ Pulled Pork Poutine

Poutine Elevated

There’s really no way to improve on this BBQ pulled pork poutine. Every bite was flat-out delicious. I used spicy hot pepper cheese curds. I think any flavor (other maybe curds infused with herbs such as rosemary or thyme) would work perfectly.

If I’m reaching for a bottled BBQ sauce, I often go for Sweet Baby Ray’s.

Sweet Baby Ray's Varierty Pack, 1 Original...
Sweet Baby Ray’s Varierty Pack, 1 Original…
  • Includes 4 Signature Flavors: Original, Hickory…
  • Award-Winning Taste: Sweet Baby Ray’s Original…
Buy on Amazon

On the off chance that you have a little leftover pulled pork and curds, make a few baked potatoes. Top them with the meat and cheese. You won’t be sorry.

BBQ Pulled Pork Poutine
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

BBQ Pulled Pork Poutine

I thought I’d try a totally different approach to poutine and top the fries with smoked BBQ pulled pork instead. A handful or two of curds and a pickle garnish and I was in poutine heaven again.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword fries, pulled pork
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 -6 servings
Calories 698kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Spread the fries out onto a large platter.
  • Add pulled pork and cheese curds.
  • Drizzle with the BBQ sauce and garnish with the pickles.
  • Devour.

Notes

The amounts in the recipe can be changed to suit your tastes. I didn’t measure anything very closely, I just went for it. You can’t mess this up so don’t worry about amounts so much.

Nutrition

Calories: 698kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 1864mg | Potassium: 806mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 194IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 268mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Smoke Tube for Pellet Smoker, 12'' Smoker Tube for...
Smoke Tube for Pellet Smoker, 12” Smoker Tube for…
  • 【BILLOWING SMOKE AND BIG CAPACITY】 The pellet…
  • 【UNFORGETTABLE FLAVORS FOR HOT AND COLD…
$9.95
Buy on Amazon