All American Fourth of July Snacks

If you'll be celebrating July 4th with family or friends, chances are, you've been asked to bring something for the buffet table. It will already be full of cookies, desserts, and other deliciously unhealthy choices, so why not contribute something festive and healthy? Dig out those Christmas cookie cutters shaped like stars, and check out these fun ideas!



http://www.familyfun.com/, Crispy Cheese Stars



Crispy Cheese Stars

adapted from Family Fun

Ingredients:
1 recipe tortillas or Ezekiel tortillas
1 package sliced cheese (mozzarella works great)
chili powder or paprika
You will also need 2 sizes of star shaped cookie cutters

Directions:
Make the tortillas according to the instructions, or take the Ezekiel tortillas out of the bag. Preheat the oven to 350. Cut several stars out of the tortillas with the larger star shaped cookie cutter, then bake them on a foil covered cookie sheet for 5 minutes.

While the tortilla stars are baking, cut out the same number of stars out of the cheese, using the smaller cookie cutter. When the tortilla stars come out of the oven, set the cheese stars on top of them, one cheese star per tortilla star, and bake until the cheese just starts to melt (about 2 minutes). Sprinkle with chili powder or paprika, cool, and serve.

 



Patriotic Pops



Patriotic Pops

adapted from Family Fun

Ingredients:
I didn't list exact amounts for the ingredients. The amount will vary depending on how many of these pops you make. You'll need 1 slice/berry/skewer for each pop.
Watermelon
Apples
1/2 to 1 cup lemon juice
Blueberries
Bamboo skewers
Pretty paper straws (optional)
You'll also need 2 sizes of star shaped cookie cutters

Directions:
Cut your watermelon into slices about 1 inch thick, or less, if you prefer. For each pop, cut out a star shape with the larger cookie cutter, then place the smaller cookie cutter in the middle of the star shape to cut a star shape out of the middle.

Use the same smaller star shaped cookie cutter to cut out an apple star. Make sure the apple star is approximately the same thickness as the watermelon star. Dip the apple star into the lemon juice to keep from browning, then cut a small hole into the center of the apple for a blueberry to fit inside.

Place the apple star inside the watermelon star, and the blueberry inside the apple star, then gently slide the combination onto a bamboo skewer. For a prettier look, slide a decorative straw over the bamboo skewer.