Keto fathead bagel sandwiches

INGREDIENTS

1.5 cup Almond flour

1 tbsp Gluten-free baking powder

2.5 cup Mozzarella cheese

2 oz Cream cheese (cubed)

2 large Egg (beaten)

Sesame seeds (for topping – optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Stir together the almond flour and baking powder. Set aside.
Combine the shredded mozzarella and cubed cream cheese in a large bowl. Microwave for 2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Stir again at the end until well incorporated. (If you don’t want to use the microwave, heat the cheeses in a double boiler on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently, until completely melted and easy to stir.)
Stir the flour mixture and eggs into the melted cheese mixture. Working quickly while the cheese is still hot, knead with your hands until a dough forms. The dough will be very sticky, but keep kneading and squeezing through your fingers for a few minutes. If the dough becomes hard before fully mixed, is too difficult to mix, or is still sticky after a couple minutes, you can microwave/reheat for 15-20 seconds to soften it. In that case, wash your hands and knead again
Divide the dough into 6 parts. Form/roll a long log with each part, then press the ends together to make a bagel shape on the lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough. If using sesame seeds, sprinkle them over the bagels and gently press into the dough. (You can also use everything seasoning for everything bagels.)
Bake for 10-14 minutes, until the bagels are firm and golden.

For the sandwiches, I sliced each bagel in half and topped each half with shredded cheddar cheese and then toasted it in the toaster oven. Then I used the following toppings once toasted:

-2 tsp Avocado mayo

-2 slices salami

-2 slices ham

-1/2 tsp whole grain garlic mustard

-1 thin slice tomato

-1/4 cup shredded lettuce

-1 slice cooked bacon

BAGEL MACROS (without toppings):

Calories: 360; Fat: 28g; Total Carb: 8g; Net Carb: 5g; Protein: 21g

Delicious No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls

Ingredients:

1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar
2 cups chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet)

Preparation Overview and Timing
This recipe can be completed from start to finish in roughly one to two hours, depending on your pace and familiarity with dessert-making. The most time-consuming elements are shaping the peanut butter mixture into balls and waiting for them to chill sufficiently before dipping them in chocolate. Let’s break down the timing:

Mixing the Peanut Butter Dough (5–10 minutes): Combining peanut butter, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract into a smooth, workable dough is straightforward and quick.
Forming the Balls (15–20 minutes): Rolling the mixture into balls and placing them on a lined baking sheet will take a bit of time, but it’s a calm, almost meditative process.
Chilling (30–60 minutes): The formed peanut butter balls need to firm up in the refrigerator. This step ensures they maintain their shape when dipped in chocolate.
Melting the Chocolate and Dipping (10–15 minutes): Once chilled, you’ll melt chocolate chips and carefully dip each ball, coating it in a glossy chocolate shell.
Final Chill (15–20 minutes): After dipping, a brief return to the refrigerator allows the chocolate to set, ensuring a perfect finish.

All in all, you can produce professional-looking, delicious treats in under two hours—a fraction of the time more complicated desserts require.

Ingredients:
To keep things simple and classic, we’ll rely on a handful of basic pantry items.

1 cup creamy peanut butter: Select a high-quality brand known for its smooth texture and clean peanut flavor. Avoid those with added oils and sugars if possible.
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: This adds richness and ensures the dough comes together beautifully.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A subtle flavor enhancer that rounds out the sweetness.
3 cups powdered sugar: Contributes structure, sweetness, and the perfect “dough” consistency.
2 cups chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet): Choose your chocolate based on personal preference. Milk chocolate is sweeter, while semi-sweet provides a richer, more balanced flavor.

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Before you begin, clear your countertop and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This will be your staging area for the rolled peanut butter balls and later for the dipped ones. Ensuring you have enough space to work comfortably is essential to a smooth cooking experience.

Step 2: Cream Together the Butter and Peanut Butter
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter and creamy peanut butter. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed, beat the two together until the mixture is smooth, fluffy, and well-integrated, about 2–3 minutes. This step is crucial as it sets the foundation for a dough that will hold its shape.

Step 3: Add Vanilla and Gradually Incorporate Powdered Sugar
Mix in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated. Next, begin adding the powdered sugar one cup at a time, blending well after each addition. The texture will transition from a creamy mixture to a stiff, somewhat crumbly dough. The goal is to achieve a consistency similar to cookie dough—firm yet pliable, and not overly sticky. If the mixture clings aggressively to your hands, add a bit more powdered sugar until the dough is manageable.

Step 4: Form the Peanut Butter Balls
Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of the dough. Roll each portion between your palms to create a smooth, round ball. Place the formed balls onto the parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between them so they don’t stick together. This step takes about 15–20 minutes, depending on the batch size and your speed.

Step 5: Chill the Peanut Butter Balls
Transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator and allow the peanut butter balls to firm up for at least 30 minutes. Chilling is non-negotiable—it ensures that when the balls are dipped into warm chocolate, they hold their shape and don’t dissolve.

Step 6: Melt the Chocolate
As the peanut butter centers chill, prepare the chocolate. Place your chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second increments, stirring between each session, until fully melted and glossy. Alternatively, use a double boiler on the stovetop for gentle, even heating.

Step 7: Dip Each Ball in Chocolate
Remove the chilled peanut butter balls from the refrigerator. Using a fork or candy-dipping tool, gently lower each ball into the melted chocolate, turning it to ensure full coverage. Lift it out, allowing excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. Carefully place each dipped ball back onto the parchment-lined sheet.

Step 8: Final Chill
Once all the balls have been dipped, return the sheet to the refrigerator for another 15–20 minutes. This final chilling period allows the chocolate shell to harden, resulting in a glossy, attractive finish.

Presentation and Serving Suggestions
Once your no-bake peanut butter balls have set, consider how you’d like to present them. For a simple, elegant look, arrange them on a white platter or cake stand and serve at room temperature. You can also dress them up for special occasions:

Holidays: Add festive sprinkles or colored sugar.
Gift Boxes: Place them in decorative candy wrappers or tins to share with friends and family.
Buffet Table: Combine them with other bite-sized sweets like fudge squares or truffles, creating a visually appealing dessert spread.

No matter how you present them, these treats are sure to impress.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
One of the best attributes of these peanut butter balls is their excellent shelf life and adaptability for future events. They keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. If you need them to last longer, consider freezing them. Place them in a single layer inside a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, and they’ll stay fresh for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. This flexibility makes them ideal for busy hosts who want to prepare desserts in advance or for those who like to have a sweet treat always on hand.

A successful dessert need not be elaborate, costly, or time-consuming. With these no-bake peanut butter balls, you’ve discovered a treat that exemplifies the beauty of simplicity. By blending pantry staples, shaping a straightforward dough, and adding a luxurious chocolate coating, you create confections that rival upscale candy shop creations. They are personalizable, too—change the chocolate variety, add a sprinkle of sea salt, or incorporate a layer of crushed nuts for a crunchy contrast. The end result is a sweet that can confidently grace your holiday dessert table, delight your guests, and satisfy your personal cravings at a moment’s notice.

In embracing this recipe, you celebrate the power of traditional flavors and uncomplicated techniques. As you bite into that creamy peanut butter center and experience the snap of cool chocolate, you’ll remember that some of life’s most comforting pleasures are found in the simplest places—like a smooth, rich, no-bake peanut butter ball made lovingly in your own kitchen.

Delicious No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls: The Ultimate Chocolate-Peanut Butter Treat

In a world that often moves at lightning speed, finding the time to create something sweet and special in the kitchen can feel like a luxury. Yet, even in the busiest schedules, there are recipes that not only fit neatly into your day but also deliver a taste experience to remember. One such confection is the humble yet utterly enchanting no-bake peanut butter ball. Unlike complicated desserts that demand an arsenal of baking tools and hours spent sweating over the stovetop or oven, these peanut butter balls are as simple as they are satisfying. They require minimal ingredients, involve no baking whatsoever, and yield luscious treats that appeal to virtually every palate.

What makes these peanut butter balls extraordinary is their simplicity of construction and their versatility. They are a perfect choice for many occasions—think holiday cookie exchanges, birthday party buffets, afternoon coffee breaks, or late-night cravings. With creamy peanut butter at their core, these bite-sized treats deliver a comforting, nostalgic flavor. Rolled in rich chocolate, they strike a balance between sweet and salty that makes them nearly irresistible. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the ingredients, walk through the preparation steps in detail, discuss timing and planning, and present a few creative twists to make the recipe truly your own.