Cheese Ball Bites

8 slices bacon

1 ½ oz (8 0z) blocks cream cheese, softened

1 cup shredded cheddar

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp paprika

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

1/3 cup freshly chopped chives

1/3 cup finely chopped pecans

18 pretzels sticks

1. In a large nonstick skillet, cook bacon until crispy, 8 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate, then finely chop. Set aside.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and paprika and season with salt and pepper. Use a cookie scoop to form mixture into 18 small balls and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate until firm, 1 hour.
3. In a shallow bowl, stir together bacon, chives, and pecans.
4. Roll balls in bacon-chive-pecan mixture, insert a pretzel stick into each, and let come to room, temperature 15 minutes before serving. (If not serving right away, loosely cover with plastic wrap and return to fridge.)