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Pretzel Crusted Grilled Cheese | alidaskitchen.com

Pretzel Crusted Grilled Cheese

Pretzel Crusted Grilled Cheese puts a tasty pretzel twist on everybody’s favorite childhood grilled cheese sandwich.  

Pretzel Crusted Grilled Cheese | alidaskitchen.com

Throughout the month of April, we celebrated National Grilled Cheese Month with many tasty variations of the classic sandwich.  While I developed a delicious Parmesan Crusted Baked Grilled Cheese, that was not the original recipe I had in mind.  I wanted to make a grilled cheese with pretzels – in either the crust or the filling, it didn’t matter.  Pretzel-something grilled cheese was going to happen.   I tried mixing pretzels with cheese for a topping or crushed in the filling, and the results were just not satisfactory.  However I am very excited to share that finally on the last day of National Grilled Cheese month I discovered the secret…and it works!…

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Baked Garlic Pretzel Chicken #WeekdaySupper

Baked Garlic Pretzel Chicken #WeekdaySupper

Baked Garlic Pretzel Chicken #WeekdaySupper

Baked Garlic Pretzel Chicken is a healthy baked chicken breast encrusted with a garlicky Parmesan pretzel coating.  It takes minutes to prepare, bakes in about 20 minutes, and is a dish the whole family will enjoy!

One of our healthy meal staples is boneless, skinless chicken breast.  It is a great source of protein that is low in fat and so versatile.  While we have several healthy chicken recipes that we enjoy often, it is fun to come up with delicious new ideas for cooking with chicken.  The inspiration for Baked Garlic Pretzel Chicken was actually from two of our favorite quick and easy recipes – Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Lighter Pretzel Crusted Chicken….

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Pretzel Oreo Cookie Balls | alidaskitchen.com

Pretzel Oreo Cookie Balls

OREO disclosure

Pretzel Oreo Cookie Balls | alidaskitchen.com

Pretzel Oreo Cookie Balls are a delicious yet simple chocolate truffle made with only 4 ingredients.  These are one of the easiest desserts you will ever make and also one of the tastiest!

This recipe starts with the classic Oreo Cookie Ball with a pretzel twist.  The pretzels add a subtle salty component to the truffle, giving it the salty-sweet combination that is always so popular.  This recipe makes plenty, which is good because they will disappear quickly.  Pretzel Oreo Cookie Balls will make a wonderful addition to any Holiday treat platter, or for any occasion….

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Chocolate Pretzel Cookies | alidaskitchen.com

Chocolate Pretzel Cookies

Chocolate Pretzel Cookies | alidaskitchen.com

If you love that salty-sweet combination, then you will love these Chocolate Pretzel Cookies.  Studded with chopped pretzels and chocolate chips throughout, these cookies are sure to delight folks of all ages.  Chocolate Pretzel Cookies cookies take minutes to prepare, so they can easily be whipped together any time.   Plus the whole pretzel garnish on top of the cookie is just so cute!…

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Candy Corn White Chocolate Pretzels

Candy Corn White Chocolate Pretzels #SundaySupper

Candy Corn White Chocolate Pretzels

Candy Corn White Chocolate Pretzels are a fun, easy, salty-sweet treat that is perfect for Halloween!

With Halloween only a few days away, I thought it would be fun to put a Halloween twist on one of my favorite holiday treats ~ Pretzel Kiss Candies.   These treats are perfect for holidays or special occasions.  They have that sweet-salty thing going on, which is wildly popular, and they can be decorated to coordinate with any occasion.

By using a candy corn instead of an M&M candy for the topping, Candy Corn White Chocolate Pretzels are a Halloween treat that is  adorable, festive and fun for all ages.  They are very quick to make, and so easy that the kids can easily get involved as well.  The result is an easy Halloween treat that is always a crowd favorite!

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lighter healthy pretzel-crusted mustard chicken breast

Lighter Pretzel-Crusted Chicken

lighter healthy pretzel-crusted mustard chicken breast

Like most people it seems, I am always on the look out for healthy, easy and delicious ways to cook chicken.  This Lighter Pretzel-Crusted Chicken is all of the above, is figure-friendly, family-friendly, and also easily halved to yield 2 servings.

No oil or butter helps make this a lighter and healthier version of a breaded chicken.  Chicken breast cutlets, or tenders, are dipped in an egg white and honey mustard mixture and then “breaded” with crushed pretzels.  A little cheese helps the pretzels adhere, and some seasoning rounds out the flavors quite nicely.  Served with a side salad or crudites, Lighter Pretzel-Crusted Chicken is as good, and good for you, as it is easy, and comes in around 200 calories.  Enjoy!

lighter healthy pretzel-crusted mustard chicken breast


Lighter Pretzel-Crusted Chicken
 
This is one of our frequent go-to dinners for when we need something quick, easy and healthy.
Yields: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • 4 4-ounce chicken breast cutlets (about ¼" thickness) or 1 pound chicken breast tenders
  • 2 egg whites
  • 2 tablespoons honey mustard or Dijon mustard
  • 1½ cups pretzels, crushed (yields approx. 1 cup)
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • Olive oil cooking spray
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and set aside.
  2. In a shallow bowl, whisk egg whites and honey mustard.
  3. In another shallow bowl, mix pretzels, cheese, onion powder, and garlic powder.
  4. Dip a chicken breast in egg mixture. Then dip the chicken in the pretzel mixture, pressing the coating to help it adhere and making sure both sides get well-coated. Place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining chicken.
  5. Spray tops of chicken lightly with cooking spray. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until pretzel coating is browned and chicken is thoroughly cooked. Serve immediately.
Notes
Adapted from Eat Better America

healthy easy chocolate peanut butter pretzel truffles with flax gluten free

Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles

healthy easy chocolate peanut butter pretzel truffles with flax gluten free

I have never been one to do much for Valentine’s Day, but I am happy to have any reason to cook or bake something special.  Or in the case of these truffles, to mix, roll, and chill something special.  These tasty truffles are not only easy and a healthier option, but are made using a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.

We all know that chocolate and peanut butter are wonderful together.  Add pretzels, and you have the ultimate salty-sweet combination.  Toss in a little flaxseed for good measure, and voila!   Delicious little Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles.  These are the perfect little treat for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day, or for yourself any day simply because you are worth it!

healthy easy chocolate peanut butter pretzel truffles with flax gluten free
Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles
 
Yields: 16 truffles
Ingredients
  • ½ cup chunky natural peanut butter
  • ½ cup pretzels, crushed (this yields approx. ¼ cup once crushed)
  • 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
  • ½ cup chocolate chips, melted
  • sprinkles (optional, for topping)
  • chopped peanuts (optional, for topping)
Instructions
  1. In a medium bowl, mix peanut butter, crushed pretzels and flaxseed until combined. Put in the freezer for 45 minutes to 1 hour (until mixture is solid).
  2. Roll a small rounded teaspoonful of peanut butter mixture in your hands to form a ball. Place ball on small tray (or plate) lined with parchment or waxed paper. Repeat until all mixture is used. Put tray in freezer until firm, at least 1 hour (I often do this overnight).
  3. Working quickly, dip the frozen balls in melted chocolate and place back on parchment-lined tray. (Note: using 2 forks to dip and pass the balls in the chocolate works well). Top with sprinkles or chopped peanuts, if desired. Refrigerate until chocolate is set, at least 30 minutes. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator.
Notes
1) When working with natural peanut butter, I recommend microwaving it in the jar (as long as the jar is glass) for about 30 seconds. All natural, easily stirred peanut butter.
2) When melting chocolate chips in the microwave, always remember less is more. Cook it on low power in 30-second intervals until chips just start to melt. Then stir to finish melting. Work quickly to dip the truffles.

Adapted from Eating Well

Reindeer Snack Mix

Reindeer Snack Mix {Alida's Kitchen}

What happens when you cross peanuts with pretzels and Reese’s peanut butter puffs cereal? This Reindeer Snack Mix, that’s what! Each ingredient on its own is fabulous, of course. When mixed together with some melted white chocolate, you have a snack mix that is really too good for words. Yes folks, I am speechless. Or maybe I am just too busy stuffing my face with more snack mix. 🙂 Either way, I will simply leave you with this. It’s the holidays. You are bound to have guests or to be a guest. Here is a fun and easy little snack that will leave everybody singing your praises this holiday season!

Reindeer Snack Mix {Alida's Kitchen}
Reindeer Snack Mix
 
Yields: about 3 quarts
Ingredients
  • 4½ cups Reese's Peanut Butter Puffs
  • 4 cups miniature pretzels
  • 12 ounces lightly salted peanuts
  • 12 ounces white chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, combine cereal, pretzels and peanuts.
  2. In a microwave, melt the white chocolate chips; stir until smooth.
  3. Pour melted white chocolate over cereal mixture and toss to coat.
  4. Immediately spread onto waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Let stand until set, about 20 minutes. Break into pieces and store in airtight container.

Source: Taste of Home: Cookies and more!

pretzel hershey's kiss and m&ms

Pretzel Kiss Candies

Pretzel Kiss Candies are the ultimate salty sweet treat made using only three ingredients. Colors can be customized for holidays and events, making these a go-to for any party! Make a lot, because they disappear quickly!!
Pretzel Kiss Candies | alidaskitchen.com

Pretzel Kiss Candies are a fun and easy treat for the holidays. These candies have been circulating around the web for some time now, and with good reason. They are easy and SO good! You have the salty-sweet thing going on, plus they are a cute addition to your holiday treat plate.  Use your favorite M&Ms for the topper, choosing whatever goes with your celebration.  The white chocolate Hershey’s Hugs tend to melt faster and smoother than their milk chocolate counterparts, but they are both equally delicious.

Simple to make, Pretzel Kiss Candies are perfect for a last minute get together, or simply because they mood strikes you. Whatever the reason, Pretzel Kiss Candies are a must-make for the holidays!

More easy pretzel treats:

Pretzel Kiss Candies | alidaskitchen.com

Pretzel Kiss Candies
 
Yields: varies
Ingredients
  • Square waffle-shaped pretzels
  • Hershey's Hugs or Kisses
  • M&Ms candy, any variety
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. Set pretzels on lined cookie sheet. Place an unwrapped Hershey's Hug or Kiss on top of pretzel.
  3. Bake oven for 4-6 minutes until softened (note: Hugs will soften quicker than Kisses). Remove from oven and press an M&M candy into the center of each Hug/Kiss.
  4. Allow to cool for 10 minutes and then place in refrigerator to harden for 15 minutes to overnight.

Pretzel Kiss Candies | alidaskitchen.com