Looking for a meaty, cheesy snack that will let you ditch the carbs without regrets? These hand-held bites are just the thing

Cooktop Cove: Looking for a meaty, cheesy snack that will let you ditch the carbs without regrets? These hand-held bites are just the thing

By Robin Donovan

Who needs buns when you can have these delicious, cheesy and meaty, two-bite cheeseburger bites? They are low carb and easy to eat despite the lack of a bun. The recipe below makes a great party appetizer. You can also make this snack ahead of time or serve it for lunch.

I like to use a sharp cheddar cheese here, but feel free to substitute any cheese you like. You can use something even stronger, like gorgonzola, or something super creamy like a triple-cream brie. Let your imagination go wild.

Low-Carb Cheeseburger Bites

15 minutes

12 minutes

27 minutes

Cooking oil spray

2 pounds ground beef

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

½ teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

8 ounces cheddar cheese, cut into 24 pieces

6 to 8 strips bacon, cooked until just until beginning to brown, drained on paper towels, and chopped in to small pieces

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a mini muffin tin with cooking oil.

In a large mixing bowl, ,combine the ground beef, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder and mix well.

Divide the meat mixture evenly among the wells of the prepared mini muffin tin, and press the meat into the wells. Push one piece of cheese into the center of each meat muffin. Sprinkle the bacon pieces over the muffins.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the burgers are cooked through.

Serve the mini burgers with any condiments that you prefer.