Taste of Home - Taste of Home 30 Minute Cookbook : With 317 half-hour recipes, theres always time for a homecooked meal.

Need an appetizer in a flash? Skip the standard bag of chips, tub of dip or can of nuts, and go with one of these quick-to-fix party pleasers.

EASY PUPPY CHOW

This version of everyones favorite sweet-salty snack mix uses a whole box of cereal, so theres less messy measuring. And theres enough to feed a hungry crowd.

Taste of Home Test Kitchen

TAKES: 15 MIN. MAKES: 13 CUPS

• 1 box (12 oz.) Corn Chex
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• cup creamy peanut butter
• cup butter, cubed
• 3 cups confectioners sugar

1. Pour cereal into a very large bowl. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter.
2. Microwave on high 30 seconds. Stir gently. Continue microwaving on high, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and blended. Pour over cereal; gently stir to coat.
3. In batches, place confectioners sugar in a gallon-sized bag, add cereal mixture and shake until well coated. Spread cereal on a baking sheet. Let stand until set. Store in airtight containers.

cup: 229 cal., 10g fat (5g sat. fat), 6mg chol., 146mg sod., 35g carb. (23g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g pro.

These little balls of deliciousness are ridiculously easy to make and insanely tasty! They are the perfect low-carb, keto-friendly, gluten-free appetizer, snack or side dish. To make them extra cheesy, sprinkle the tops with more mozzarella cheese after taking them out of the oven the second time, and then return them to the oven until the cheese is melted. Serve with your favorite low-carb dipping sauce.

Anna Bowden, Littleton, CO

TAKES: 30 MIN. MAKES: 1 DOZEN

• 1 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 3 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 cup almond flour
• tsp. onion powder
• tsp. garlic powder
• tsp. salt
• tsp. pepper

TOPPING

• 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp. minced garlic
• Prepared pesto, optional

1. Preheat oven to 400. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine mozzarella cheese and cream cheese; microwave, covered, on high until melted, 30-60 seconds. Stir until smooth. Stir in egg. In another bowl, mix almond flour and seasonings; stir into cheese mixture until combined (mixture will be thick).
2. With wet hands, shape into 12 balls. Place 1 in. apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 12 minutes. Combine butter and garlic; brush over rolls. Bake until light brown, 2-4 minutes longer. Let cool 5 minutes before serving. If desired, serve with prepared pesto.

1 appetizer: 144 cal., 12g fat (5g sat. fat), 37mg chol., 224mg sod., 4g carb. (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g pro.

When I allow myself to indulge in a snack, I make this spicy popcorn. One batch doesnt last long at our house. You can add more or less red pepper flakes to suit your familys tastes.

Kay Young, Flushing, MI

TAKES: 5 MIN. MAKES: 10 SERVINGS

• 10 cups popped popcorn
• cup butter, melted
• 1 tsp. paprika
• tsp. ground cumin
• to tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• cup grated Parmesan cheese

Place popcorn in a large bowl. In a small bowl, combine the butter, paprika, cumin and red pepper flakes. Pour over popcorn; toss to coat. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and toss again.