Basketball & Ritz: What could be better?

Football season has wrapped up and basketball season is underway. I’m ready to shout “Go Team Go” as I enjoy some good food with my family and friends. I can always count on Nabisco for appetizers the crowd will love. Get ready because the perfect game night starts with these slam dunk recipes. They feature Ritz crackers; and they are easy to make, and they taste great.

Maple Glazed Bacon Wrapped Mini Hot Dogs

Prep Time: 35 mins   Total Time: 35 mins   Makes: 8 servings, 2 cracker sandwiches each

Ingredients

• 4 slices center-cut bacon 
• 16 cocktail franks (about 1/3 of 16-oz. pkg.)
• 3 Tbsp. maple syrup 
• 32 RITZ Crackers

Preparation

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Cook bacon in a skillet 5 min., turning after 3 min. (Bacon will not be done.) Remove bacon from skillet; cool slightly
• Cover baking sheet with foil; spray with cooking spray.
• Cut each bacon slice lengthwise, then crosswise in half to make 4 pieces. Wrap 1 bacon piece around each cocktail frank.
• Place, seam sides down, on a prepared baking sheet; brush with syrup.
• Bake 7 to 9 min. or until bacon is crisp. Remove from the oven. Brush wrapped franks with any syrup remaining on the baking sheet.
• Use a toothpick or short thin wooden skewer to carefully poke a hole in the center of 1 cracker. Continue to thread the toothpick through the center of 1 wrapped cocktail frank, then through the center of the second cracker to make a sandwich. Continue as directed with remaining ingredients.

Special Extra

Serve with your favorite condiments, such as pickle relish, mustard or ketchup.

Make it Easy

Omit 16 RITZ Crackers. Place remaining 16 RITZ Crackers in a single layer on a platter; top with wrapped cocktail franks.

Variation

Prepare the recipe using smoked cocktail sausages. Or, cut each of 4 regular beef franks or smoked sausage links into 4 pieces. Use instead of the cocktail franks.

Nutrition Information per Serving: 160 Calories, 10 g Total Fat, 3.5 g Saturated Fat, 0 g Trans Fat, 15 mg Cholesterol, 330 mg Sodium, 13 g Total Carbohydrate, 0 g Dietary Fiber, 6g Total Sugars (Includes 6 g Added Sugars), 4 g Protein

Chili Crunch RITZ Bites

Prep Time: 15 mins    Total Time: 15 mins  Makes: 8 servings, 3 topped crackers each.

Ingredients

• ½ lb. frozen popcorn chicken, divided 
• 2½ oz. low-moisture part-skim milk mozzarella cheese, cut into 24 pieces 
• 24 RITZ Crackers
• 2 Tbsp. chili crunch (See Tip.)
• 1 Tbsp. sliced green onions

Preparation

• Heat oven to 375°F.
• Place half the chicken in a single layer on a microwaveable plate. Microwave on HIGH 30 sec. or just until chicken is warmed.
• Repeat with remaining chicken.
• Cut chicken into 24 pieces.
• Place crackers in a single layer on a baking sheet; top with cheese and chicken.
• Bake 5 min. or until chicken is heated through and cheese is melted.
• Top with chili crunch and onions.

Substitute

Substitute chipotle mayonnaise or cherry pepper hoagie spread for the chili crunch. Or substitute your favorite spicy sauce, such as Thai sweet chili sauce, gochujang or sambal oelek (garlic chili paste) for the chili crunch.

Prepare the recipe using 12 cooked chicken nuggets, cut in half; or 8 cooked breaded chicken tenders, cut into thirds.

What is Chili Crunch

Chili crunch is an oil-packed Asian condiment flavored with chili peppers, onions, garlic and spices. Look for it in the condiment or produce section of larger supermarkets. Serve it over cooked eggs or fish, roasted vegetables or grilled meats, such as chicken or steak.

Nutrition Information per Serving: 130 Calories, 8 g Total Fat, 3 g Saturated Fat, 0 g Trans Fat, 35 mg Cholesterol, 270 mg Sodium, 8 g Total Carbohydrate, 0 g Dietary Fiber, 2g Total Sugars (Includes 2 g Added Sugars), 7 g Protein

Make these winning game night recipes for all the family! Pickup all the ingredients during your next Commissary shopping trip. Find more recipes like these by visiting MyMilitarySavings.com and be sure to check out more deals on Nabisco.