Cheesy Bacon Breadsticks

and plenty more apps for summer hosting

With FIFA underway and summer finally kicking off, this week is all about easy appetizers to serve when you’re hosting friends and family.

These cheesy bacon breadsticks have a little Canadian flair, with peameal bacon and Canadian cheddar wrapped up in puff pastry (store-bought works perfectly here) and served with a maple mustard dipping sauce. They’re flaky, cheesy, incredibly easy to make, and the kind of snack that disappears almost as soon as they hit the table.

Check out the recipe video here

Also on the list of crowd-worthy appetizers, check out some of these recipes:

• Grilled Chicken Wings

• Homemade Ranch Dip to liven up any veggie platter

• Tomato tartare

• Crispy Artichoke Hearts

• Baba Ganoush

Happy hosting, and stay tuned for plenty more summer recipes and entertaining ideas to come. Go Canada!

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Cheesy Bacon Breadsticks

Makes about 10-12 breadsticks

Ingredients

• 1 sheet puff pastry (225g), thawed

• 1 cup grated extra old Canadian cheddar, divided, plus extra for topping

• ½ cup finely diced peameal bacon

• 1 egg, beaten

• Fresh chives, finely chopped, for garnish

Maple Dijon Dip

• ¼ cup spicy Dijon mustard

• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup

• 1 tbsp finely chopped chives

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Sear the diced peameal bacon in a hot pan for 3–4 minutes, until the moisture has evaporated and the bacon is just beginning to brown around the edges. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and let cool completely.

3. On a lightly floured surface, roll the puff pastry into a rectangle approximately 10 x 12 inches. Sprinkle ¾ cup of the cheddar over one half of the pastry and top with the cooled bacon.

4. Fold the bare half of the pastry over the filling like a book and gently roll to seal.

5. Brush the top with the beaten egg wash, and sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup cheddar.

6. Cut the pastry into strips about ¾-inch wide. Twist each strip several times and place on the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with a little extra cheddar cheese and refrigerate for 10 minutes.

7. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until deeply golden brown and crisp.

8. Meanwhile, whisk together the Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and chives. Taste and adjust to your liking.

9. Transfer the warm breadsticks to a serving platter, sprinkle with more fresh chives, and serve with the maple Dijon dip.

10. If there are any leftovers, let them cool completely before storing in an airtight container.