Bacon Wrapped Everything

I have one word for all you rowdy, beer-loving, dying-to-be-satisfied-by-your-game-day-snack-platter, football-fans...

Bacon.

When you and your buddies gather round the television on Sunday, cold beers in hand, jersey's on, faces painted, ready to scream abuse and encouragement at the screen, it is super necessary that you have finger foods available for a mouth-gasming munchathon. If you want to win the day as host, you need a game plan to feed your gridiron gang. What could be more fitting than some actual pigskin!

Imagine a platter of delicious, salty snacks. All devourable with the use of greasy fingers or a well placed toothpick, some salty, some spicy, some a little sweet. And sure, you might be thinking, "But what about my arteries?" Well, to that I say, "It's the superbowl! It happens once a year so go hard or go home and wrap everything....in bacon!"

All of these delicious goodies will be baked at 425 degrees. So before your start preheat that oven.

#1. The Sweet : Bacon Wrapped Cherry Skewers

Sure to please young and old alike, these sweet and salty snacks, inspired by a south-african bbq recipe, take only 2 ingredients and very little culinary skill. They are look great, taste great and are easy to eat; making them the perfect snack for any game day. Whether you're a young bachelor having beers with the boys, a trophy wife looking to impress football loving guests, or a mom of some young football fans having a family game day this one's a winner.

Ingredients and Materials

your favourite kind of bacon

maraschino cherries

wooden skewers

a sheet pan

aluminum foil

Step One

Wrap each cherry in a small piece of uncooked bacon. Slide the bacon wrapped cherry onto the skewer. Repeat until skewer is full (about 6 cherries).

Step Two

Bake for 20-30 min on a foil lined baking sheet, turning once, until the bacon is golden brown. Cool for about 10 min and that's literally all you do!

#2. The Salty : Bacon Wrapped Pickles

A savory cousin of the deep-fried pickle. This one is for all the salt lovers out there. The first time I stumbled across a recipe for these and brought them to a fight night I became an instant party hero. Warm or cold they are everything you want in a salty snack the only drawback is...well the sodium overdose, but also just how quickly they disappear into your guests bellies.

Ingredients and Materials

your favourite kind of bacon

dill pickles (Vlasic are my favourite they keep their crunch)

wooden skewers or toothpicks

aluminum foil

Step One

Cut the pickles lengthwise into quarters.

Step Two

Wrap about half a piece of bacon in a spiral around the pickle spear and secure with a toothpick.

Step Three

Bake at 425 degrees for 20-30 minutes, on a foil lined baking sheet, until the bacon starts to crisp nicely. Remove from the oven and cool for about 10 minutes before serving. So simple, so easy, sooooo bacony good!

#3. The Spicy: Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapeno

The final piece of the bacon wrapped platter brings the heat. I worked with jalapenos to keep it mild but you could step it up with peppers higher on the Scoville scale for sure. This is the most prep heavy of the three treats which isn't saying much. Get wild by choosing different cheeses and create your own surprise flavour palette or stick to the tried and true.

Ingredients and Materials

your favourite kind of bacon

jalapeno peppers

mozarella cheese

mild gouda

maple syrup

aluminum foil

Step 1

Slice off the tops of the peppers and remove the seeds.

Step 2

Stuff the peppers with one thin piece of mozzarella and one small piece of gouda (or your favourite, meltable cheeses).

Step 3

Wrap the peppers in strips of bacon. Be sure to cover the open end to stop the cheese from spilling out as it melts.

Step 4

Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes at 425 degrees on a foil lined baking sheet. When the cheese is fully melted and the bacon starts to crisp switch the oven to broil on high for 3-5 minutes until the bacon looks golden.

Step 5

Remove from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes. Drizzle with maple syrup and try not to drool as you serve.

Every one of these recipes pairs perfectly with beer, making them the ultimate snack for sports-fans everywhere. You are welcome!