Tag: slow cooker

Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef Sandwiches

This is when I have to admit that I’m addicted to onion rings. I love them dipped in ketchup, BBQ sauce or remoulade, but I love them even more on a great sandwich or burger. So, I decided on slow cooker barbecue beef sandwiches. I made a big slow cooker full of barbecue beef, spooned it onto buns, topped it with as many onion rings as I could fit, and a bit of extra sharp cheddar cheese, and I was happy. The crunchy rings are a nice contrast to the tender, juice beef. And yeah, I did have more rings on the side. Darn right I did. I’m addicted to them.

Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef Sandwiches

The beef on these slow cooker barbecue beef sandwiches is really flavorful and tender. Does it taste like a brisket that has been smoked for 14 hours? No. But it’s mighty good, and not just great on sandwiches, either. Save a little for nachos or for topping hot dogs or burgers.

Yes, you could skip the onion rings. You could add sliced red onion instead. I recommend letting the onion soak in cold water for at least 10 minutes before using. That’ll help cut some of the onion-ness.

Also try my slow cooker Hungarian beef.

Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef Sandwiches
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef Sandwiches

I made a big slow cooker full of barbecue beef, spooned it onto buns, topped it with as many onion rings as I could fit, and a bit of extra sharp cheddar cheese, and I was happy.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword beef, crockpot, sandwich, slow cooker
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 10 minutes
Servings 8 sandwiches
Calories 567kcal
Author Based on a recipe from The Crocking Girls

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the roast into your slow cooker.
  • In a bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Pour the mixture over the beef.
  • Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours or until the beef is tender.
  • Carefully remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred with a fork.
  • Divide beef between buns.
  • Top with onion rings and cheese and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 567kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 132mg | Sodium: 1082mg | Potassium: 831mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 401IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 226mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Steak Fajitas

I have a slow cooker for the same reason most people have one: it’s easy. But even though I like easy, I love flavor more. I won’t trade taste for convenience, which is why I really liked these slow cooker steak fajitas. The beef simmers low and slow, taking on the great flavors from onion, peppers and salsa, along with a really fantastic fajita seasoning.

Slow Cooker Steak Fajitas

I topped these slow cooker steak fajitas with a very simple but flavorful sour cream mixture. All you do is take a little sour cream and add chipotles in adobo. In a crunch for time? Just use chiptole salsa instead of chopping chipotles.

The better the salsa you use the better these fajitas will be. Don’t opt for the cheap stuff.

Also try my slow cooker Sloppy Joes.

Slow Cooker Steak Fajitas
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Steak Fajitas

I won’t trade taste for convenience, which is why I really liked these slow cooker steak fajitas. The beef simmers low and slow, taking on the great flavors from onion, peppers and salsa, along with a really fantastic fajita seasoning.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, slow cooker, southwestern, steak
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 420kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Fit Slow Cooker Queen

Ingredients

For the fajitas

  • 2 pounds beef sliced thin (I used ribeye)
  • 1 red bell pepper sliced thin
  • 1 green bell pepper sliced thin
  • 1 sweet onion sliced thin
  • 20 ounces salsa
  • 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning store-bought or make your own using the recipe below
  • flour tortillas or corn, warmed
  • chipotle sour cream for serving (just mix a tablespoon or so of chopped chipotles in adobo with sour cream)

For the fajita seasoning

Instructions

For the fajitas

  • Turn on your slow cooker, setting the temperature to low.
  • Add the salsa then the remaining ingredients except for the tortillas and topping.
  • Cook for 6-8 hours or until the beef is tender.
  • Serve on warmed tortillas topped with chipotle sour cream.

For the fajita seasoning

  • Combine all ingredients. Store unused portion in an air-right container.

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 520mg | Potassium: 597mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1140IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Cheesesteaks

This slow cooker cheesesteak isn’t meant to be Philly cheesesteak. It’s nothing fancy. Oh you could add peppers or whatever if you want, and it’d be great. But for me, what I needed was something tasty, cheesy, meaty and done with minimal trouble. And that’s exactly what I got. This is a great sandwich any time of the year, but it really hit the spot after I had finished shoveling snow out of the driveway. I was hungry. It was slow cooker cheesesteak time.

Slow Cooker Cheesesteaks

You can use fresh ribeye, sliced super thin, if you want. For my slow cooker cheesesteaks I used the pre-sliced frozen ribeye I can find in my grocer’s freezer case. It’s right by the Steak Ums, but unlike them, the steak is nothing but sliced steak. It always comes out super tender and it’s actually very reasonably priced. And as an added bonus, I don’t have to slice steak into thin pieces. That can be a bit challenging.

Slow Cooker Cheesesteaks
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4 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Cheesesteaks

You can use fresh ribeye, sliced super thin, if you want.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, sandwich, slow cooker, steak
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Servings 8
Calories 551kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Lightly spray your slow cooker with non-stick spray.
  • Add in the onion and steak and the jalapeno, if using. Season well with salt and pepper. Stir, cover and cook on high for 2 hours.
  • Add the Velveeta. Cover and cook on low for 1 more hour.
  • Stir. Serve on rolls.

Nutrition

Calories: 551kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 1270mg | Potassium: 641mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 575IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 400mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Kid’s Sloppy Joe

This slow cooker kid’s Sloppy Joe is the easiest recipe ever. The beef soaks up all that great seasoning after a few hours in the crockpot, making it better than the old skillet version in my opinion. I don’t know where it went, but summer up and left and it got cool, fast. I instantly went into hunker-down, comfort food mode. One of my all-time favorite cooler weather foods is a Sloppy Joe. Messy, beefy, tasty sandwiches. You can’t beat that.

Slow Cooker Kid's Sloppy Joe

I don’t put anything on my slow cooker kid’s Sloppy Joe. No cheese. No extra onions. And no jalapenos. Nothing. I keep it simple, like I remember as a kid. This isn’t the time for fru-fru, this is the time for good ole eats.

Now, I do have one sort of indulgence. I have to toast my buns. I just cannot stand soggy slow cooker kid’s Sloppy Joe buns. The longer that saucy sauce sits the more the buns soak it in and they get soggy and mushy. As a kid I would request (nicely of course) that my mom get my hamburger buns extra crispy. Not burned, just crispy.

Also try my grown-up Sloppy Joes and my crazy-good open-faced garlic toast Sloppy Joes. Or my even more grown-up mango jalapeno version!

Slow Cooker Kid's Sloppy Joe
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Kid’s Sloppy Joe

I like to keep these simple, like I remember as a kid.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, sandwich, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Servings 12
Calories 394kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from the Southern Slow Cooker Bible

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Brown the meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
  • Add the bell pepper, ketchup, Sloppy Joe seasoning mix and mustard to a large slow cooker that has been sprayed lightly with non-stick spray.
  • Add the cooked beef and stir well.
  • Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Serve over buns (toasted if desired).

Nutrition

Calories: 394kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 636mg | Potassium: 421mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 256IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Creamy Bacon Chicken

On a bun. As a dip. In a wrap. On a cracker. It doesn’t matter how you serve this slow cooker creamy bacon chicken, you’re going to love it. Tender, moist chicken. Creamy cheese. Bacon. Ranch dressing flavors. Bacon. Oh, I said that already. I love bacon. There’s no reason that you couldn’t add a bit more bacon to the crockpot. Kinda slip an extra piece or two in for that extra bacon-y flavor.

Slow Cooker Creamy Bacon Chicken

Slow cooker creamy bacon chicken is mighty darned good as it is. Now, you know me (or well, maybe you don’t) but I like a little kick to my food. I would not be afraid to use jalapeno cream cheese instead of the plain stuff. And I wouldn’t be afraid to add a few squirts of Sriracha or my favorite hot sauce, either. Heck, throw in some diced roasted jalapenos too. You can always make two versions. One nice and mellow and one nice and spicy.

If you want your chicken to have a bit more texture than the shredded version in the recipe, just cut into small cubes instead. Same great taste with a little bit different bite.

Also try my slow cooker teriyaki chicken.

Slow Cooker Creamy Bacon Chicken
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4 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Creamy Bacon Chicken

On a bun. As a dip. It doesn’t matter how you serve this slow cooker creamy bacon chicken, you’re going to love it. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken, crockpot, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 332kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Cookies and Cups

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken breasts boneless, skinless
  • 2 8 ounce cream cheese cubed
  • 2 1 ounce packets Ranch dressing seasoning
  • ½ pound bacon cooked, crumbled

Instructions

  • Place chicken into your slow cooker.
  • Top with the cheese and dressing seasoning.
  • Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the chicken is tender.
  • Remove the chicken and shred with a fork.
  • Return the meat to the slow cooker. Stir in the bacon.
  • Serve as a dip or on buns with extra sharp cheddar cheese as sandwiches.

Nutrition

Calories: 332kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 452mg | Potassium: 635mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 64IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

I know my buddies on the grilling and smoker forums are going to give me grief over making slow cooker baby back ribs. But I am always up to trying something new (to me). Now, yes, I know these baby back ribs don’t sit in a smoker for 6 or so hours and get a beautiful smoke ring. But, they are tender, almost fall-off-the-bone tender, and with a little help, quite tasty. And hey, when it’s blowing 45 MPH winds outside with a wind chill well below 0, slow cooker baby back ribs will do just nicely.

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

Like with boiling ribs (ok, don’t hate me for boiling ribs!) before grilling them, you have to add something so that the ribs get some flavor to them. Last time I boiled ribs, I added Old Bay seafood boil seasoning. When I made these baby back ribs I added a drop or two of liquid smoke and a little smoky BBQ sauce to boot. Sure, it’s not the same as sitting over hickory smoke for a long time, but those smoky flavors do absorb into the meat as it cooks.

Also try my slow cooker Vietnamese ribs.

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

Sure, it's not the same as sitting over hickory smoke for a long time, but those smoky flavors do absorb into the meat as it cooks.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, ribs, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 487kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Separate the ribs into sections, 2-3 bones each.
  • Season the ribs on both sides with plenty of salt and pepper. Don’t be shy.
  • Add the water to the bottom of your slow cooker.
  • Stir in 1/4 cup of the BBQ sauce.
  • Add the ribs. Top with the onion and sprinkle with the garlic.
  • Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 375 F.
  • Remove ribs, discarding the onion.
  • Coat ribs in BBQ sauce on all sides.
  • Place on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the sauce has set.

Nutrition

Calories: 487kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 190mg | Potassium: 552mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 47IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

Wow, we were blown away with just how fantastic this slow cooker creamed corn was. Some of the credit goes to using the best sweet corn around, My Dad’s Sweet Corn. I put up a big batch of corn each summer for days just like today: cloudy, cold and dreary. The corn is creamy and sweet and smells, looks and tastes like summer.

Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

Corn from cans can be used instead of fresh, just drain the cans before adding to the slow cooker. For a spicier version of slow cooker creamed corn, use only half a brick of cream cheese and add 1/2 cup of cubed pepper jack cheese instead. Or a bit of cayenne pepper, but not much. You don’t want to bury the tremendous sweetness of the corn.

Also try my southern creamed corn.

Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

Wow, we were blown away with just how fantastic this slow cooker creamed corn was. The corn is creamy and sweet and smells, looks and tastes like summer.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword corn, crockpot, slow cooker
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours
Servings 10 -12 servings
Calories 255kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Kelsey Nixon

Ingredients

  • 6 cups corn kernels 3 cans, drained, if using canned, or scraped from 8 ears if using fresh
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 8 ounces cream cheese cubed
  • Kosher salt
  • ground black pepper
  • 1 stick unsalted butter

Instructions

  • Place corn, milk, sugar and cream cheese into a slow cooker.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook on low for 5 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the stick of butter and cook another hour, stirring occasionally.
  • Check seasoning and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 255kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 267mg | Potassium: 201mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 670IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Beans ‘n Wieners

When I was a kid bean n’ wieners were one of my favorites. Here I am many years later and well, nothing much has changed because I still love them. I still eat most of the sauce first, saving the hot dogs for last. My grown-up version is slow cooker beans ‘n wieners. Cooked for hours so that that great sauce flavors the beans and hot dogs just perfectly. A big bowl can chase away the cold weather, and quick. I call it the perfect dish after shoveling the snow off the driveway! Heck, it’s perfect without going outside. Looking out the window on a cold winter’s day is enough to make me want a big bowl!

Slow Cooker Beans 'n Wieners

This recipe for slow cooker beans ‘n wieners is perfect as it is, but you can add a bit of heat if you want. Just add a small can of chopped roasted jalapenos in at the start and let that great heat get slow cooked into the rest of the ingredients. Starting with quality canned pork and beans gives you a better end result, but you can get by with your store’s generic too (I did)!

Also try my quick fix BBQ beans!

Slow Cooker Beans 'n Wieners
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Beans ‘n Wieners

When I was a kid bean n’ wieners were one of my favorites. Here I am many years later and well, nothing much has changed because I still love them. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword beans, crockpot, hot dogs, slow cooker
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 193kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients into a slow cooker.
  • Stir and cook on low for 6 hours, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition

Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 544mg | Potassium: 302mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 78IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker BBQ Pot Roast

I’m not ashamed to say it. I can put away some pot roast. Put a bowl of pot roast in front of me, and there’s only one outcome: an empty bowl. Put a bowl of this slow cooker BBQ pot roast in front of me and there’s only one outcome: me asking for seconds and probably thirds, with nothing but empty bowls between rounds. That same great flavor as a traditional pot roast, completely amped up with BBQ flavors. This is surprisingly different and really a treat to eat!

Slow Cooker BBQ Pot Roast

I used a sweet and spicy BBQ sauce when I made this slow cooker BBQ pot roast. You want something with a smoky flavor, and maybe even a bit of a spicy kick. After all, this isn’t your normal pot roast. I wouldn’t go with something that’s over-the-top sweet but a little bit is ok. Just like with the heat. A little heat is a good thing.

The broth in this pot roast screams ‘dip something in me’. So I made some Italian breadsticks on the side. I saved as much of the broth as I could for the end, at which point I got to soppin’ with my breadsticks!

Also try my slow cooker Mississippi pot roast.

Slow Cooker BBQ Pot Roast
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker BBQ Pot Roast

I’m not ashamed to say it. I can put away some pot roast. Put a bowl of pot roast in front of me, and there’s only one outcome: an empty bowl. Put a bowl of this slow cooker BBQ pot roast in front of me and there’s only one outcome: me asking for seconds and probably thirds.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, pot roast, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 627kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Lauren Greutman

Ingredients

  • 2 – 3 pound chuck roast some fat removed
  • ½ white onion chopped
  • 1 small green bell pepper chopped
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • 2 large Russet potatoes chopped into chunks (I left the skin on)
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ cup tomato sauce
  • ½ cup your favorite BBQ sauce
  • 2 beef bouillon cubes
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme crumbled
  • ½ cup water plus more, possibly

Instructions

  • Place everything into your slow cooker, starting with the meat first.
  • Cook on low 8-10 hours or until the meat is fall-apart tender, stirring every hour after the first 4 hours. Add more water as you go if the pot roast is thicker than you prefer.
  • Serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 627kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 57g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 196mg | Sodium: 1038mg | Potassium: 1481mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 227IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 7mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Ranch Wings

Visit my other site, For The Wing, for all things chicken-wing!

I usually cook wings on my Char-Broil Big Easy or on my charcoal grill using the Vortex. I have to admit, I was pretty pessimistic about the idea of cooking wings in a slow cooker. Would I like the texture? Would they taste as great as wings off the grill?

One thing’s for sure, making Buffalo Ranch wings in a slow cooker really couldn’t get any easier. It was the perfect recipe for my working-from-home lunch. Toss everything in first thing in the morning and at lunch, enjoy some wings!

Slow Cooker Buffalo Ranch Wings

So how were they? Well, mighty tasty for starters. In fact, I loved the flavor. Big time. Texture-wise, they got barely crispy but the meat was oh-so-tender and juicy. For truly crispy skin you’ll have to leave them under the broiler for a good bit of time, but keep an eye on them. I found the skin to be melt-in-my-mouth tender and I didn’t actually miss not having super-crunchy wings. In fact, it was a nice change. I loved them!

Although not traditional Buffalo wings to a purist, I still enjoyed these slow cooker Buffalo Ranch wings more than I actually thought I would. No mess, no fuss and very tasty. Certainly much easier than firing up a grill or even deep fryer to make a batch of the wings you normally expect.

Meijer makes a fantastic Buffalo wild sauce that is great for this recipe. My BBQ Ranch wings are also absolutely yummy!

I absolutely love chicken wings, cooked any way, with any sauce (or without). I love them so much that I created a free eCookbook that is full of my favorite wing recipes.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Ranch Wings
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4.50 from 2 votes

Slow Cooker Buffalo Ranch Wings

One thing’s for sure, making Buffalo Ranch wings in a slow cooker really couldn’t get any easier. It was the perfect recipe for my working-from-home lunch. Toss everything in first thing in the morning and at lunch, enjoy some wings!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword Buffalo wings, crockpot, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 291kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the wings into the bottom of your slow cooker.
  • Combine the wing sauce, Ranch dressing mix and salt and pepper and pour over the wings.
  • Cover and cook on high for 2 1/2 hours – 3 hours until the meat is starting to pull back from the bones.
  • Carefully transfer the wings to a baking sheet lined with foil and sprayed with non-stick spray. Place under the broiler and broil until just starting to crisp.
  • Let cool slightly then serve with Ranch dressing for dipping.

Nutrition

Calories: 291kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 614mg | Potassium: 191mg | Vitamin A: 180IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.