Low Carb Baked Bacon & Cheddar Appetizer Bites (Gluten Free)

Tasty little appetizer bites!

Ingredients:
1 pound bacon
1 tablespoon dried chives
2 tablespoons water
4 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 teaspoons bacon grease
1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened
4 eggs
1/3 cup coconut flour
1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon chili powder or 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
parchment paper

Method:
Fry the bacon until crisp. (Reserve 1 1/2 teaspoons of the bacon grease.) Allow the bacon to cool on absorbent paper. Once cooled, crumble and set aside. 
Place the dried chives in a small bowl and cover with the water. Set aside. 
Melt the butter and bacon grease. Set aside.
Place the melted butter, bacon grease, cream cheese and eggs in a medium bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until well blended and smooth.
Mix in the coconut flour, baking powder and chili powder.
Strain, and discard, the water from the chives. Mix the chives, bacon and cheese into the dough. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. 
Preheat oven to 375*. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
Form spoonfuls of dough into 36 balls, and place about 2 inches apart, on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 6 minutes. Rotate the baking sheet and bake 6 to 8 minutes more, or until the appetizer bites are lightly browned. 

Serve warm or at room temperature Makes 36 appetizers.

Note:  These mini bacon and cheddar bites are tasty low carb snacks or appetizers. If desired, serve with a marinara dipping sauce.

Nutritional info per appetizer bite:
112.6 calories ~ 9.27 grams fat ~ .5 grams net carbs ~ 6.5 grams protein