Bacon Gouda Bites

I made these crunchy and gooey appetizers for a Super Bowl party and they were a big hit! (yes, pun intended)

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet Frozen Puff Pastry, thawed
• 10 ounces Gouda Cheese, cut into 24 chunks
• 1 pound Bacon
• 1/8 cup finely diced Green Onions
• 1/2 cup chopped Pecans
• 3 tablespoons Brown Sugar
• 3 tablespoons Maple Syrup
• 2 tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 24-cup mini muffin tin by spraying liberally with cooking spray.
2. Cut sheet of puff pastry into 24 even rectangular pieces. Stretch each piece slightly and place in muffin tin cups. Place one piece of Gouda in each cup.
3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook bacon pieces until crisp. Remove bacon, then drain all but 2 tablespoons grease from skillet. When slightly cooled, cut into 1/2 inch pieces.
4. In hot skillet, add green onions and pecans. Cook until lightly browned. Reduce heat to medium-low then add cooked bacon, brown sugar, maple syrup, red wine vinegar, red pepper flakes, and salt. Stir to combine and cook 2-3 minutes to melt the sugar. Remove from heat.
5. Add about 1 tablespoon bacon mixture on top of Gouda pieces. Place in oven and bake 20-25 minutes or until puff pastry is lightly golden.
6. Let sit for a few minutes before removing from muffin tin and serving.