BEER WORTHY bites

PERFECT PAIRINGS FOR THESE CROWD PLEASING SNACKS

BY MELISSA TATE

CLASSIC HOT WING DIP Spicy Bites: Pairs well with wheat beers MAKES: 8 SERVINGS | PREP TIME: 10 MINS. | COOK TIME: 20 MINS. | TOTAL TIME: 30 MINS.

INGREDIENTS: 1 pkg. cream cheese | 1⁄2 cup rotisserie chicken | 3⁄4 cup Frank’s RedHot sauce | 2 Tbsp. ranch dressing | 1⁄2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS: PREHEAT oven to 350°. CUT cream cheese into 1 x 1 squares and place in the bottom of an 8 x 8 baking dish. SHRED 1⁄2 cup rotisserie chicken into bite-size pieces and sprinkle over cream cheese. POUR hot sauce over chicken. DRIZZLE ranch over hot sauce. SPRINKLE shredded cheddar cheese over ranch. Bake for 20 minutes. SERVE with corn chips, buttery crackers, or veggie sticks.

HOMEMADE SNACK MIX Salty Bites: Pairs well with pale ale MAKES: 6 SERVINGS | PREP TIME: 10 MIN. | COOK TIME: 10 MIN. | TOTAL TIME: 20 MIN.

INGREDIENTS: 2 sticks butter | 4 cups rice Chex cereal | 1 cup wheat Chex cereal | 1 bag pre-made snack mix, I prefer Gardetto’s | 3 cups honey mustard & onion pretzel chunks | 3 cups garlic rye chips | 1 1⁄2 cups mixed nuts Seasoning mix: 5 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce | 1 Tbsp. seasoning salt | 1 Tbsp. garlic powder | 1 Tbsp. onion powder

DIRECTIONS: PREHEAT oven to 250°. MELT butter in a large roasting pan in the oven. While butter is melting, COMBINE all dry ingredients and set aside. COMBINE seasoning mix ingredients and set aside. REMOVE melted butter from the oven. Pour the seasoning mixture into butter and stir. FOLD dry mix into roasting pan and stir until all ingredients are covered with butter and seasoning mixture. BAKE at 250° for one hour, stirring every 15 minutes. PREPARE a large flat surface by covering it with several paper towels. REMOVE mix after one hour from the oven and pour it out onto paper towels in a thin, even layer. COOL for at least 20 minutes. You can store the mix in any tightly sealed container for up to 10 days.

TIPS & TRICKS: Add 1⁄2 tsp. Cayenne pepper for a salty & spicy snack mix.

EASY PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES Sweet Bites: Pairs well with imperial stouts MAKES: 22 SERVINGS | PREP TIME: 10 MIN. | COOK TIME: 9 MIN. | TOTAL TIME: 19 MIN.

INGREDIENTS: 1 pkg. dry peanut butter cookie mix (found on the cake mix isle) | 1 egg or the amount cookie mix calls for | 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil or amount cookie mix calls for | 1⁄2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS: PREHEAT oven to 375°. PREPARE cookie mix as directed on package. ADD in chocolate chips and combine. ROLL cookie dough into 1 Tbsp. balls. COVER baking sheet with parchment paper and place dough onto sheet. BAKE 8 to 10 minutes.

TIPS & TRICKS: This recipe can be put together quickly for a last-minute gathering. Cookies and beer are a sure crowd pleaser!

PHOTOS & FOOD BY MELISSA TATE To follow her cooking adventures visit MelissaTateTX.com or find her on Instagram at @MELISSATATETX