3 Point Shot: 2 Cheez-It Recipes + a Basketball Craft!

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It's springtime, and in many households, that means avid basketball watching. While we aren't GLUED to the TV when the games are on (mostly because the kids steal the remote and change the channel) I do have a small obligation to occasionally watch college basketball, having attended a Big Ten school and all. When we do have the time to watch the last thing we want to do is have to spend hours on snacks.

Cheez-Its are pretty much a staple in our kitchen. The kids love them, we love them, they're a fabulous cheesy good cracker. But alone, sometimes the might be a little tiny bit basic.

BUT, there are some NEW Cheez-Its in town, and when I found this out, I decided to get a little creative with my Big Game Snacks.

3 Point Shot : 2 recipes and a craft!

This first recipe is pretty darn awesome because it's just 4 (really 3) ingredients. These Cheez-It Chicken Bites take longer to bake then they do to prepare. Isn't that always how it works?

Cheez-It Chicken Bites
Ingredients:
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1" pieces
⅓ cup sour cream
1 cup Cheez-It Groove crackers, crushed (leave some different sizes, you dont want total crumbs)
2 tablespoon butter, melted

Directions:
1.) Preheat oven to 375.
2.) Lightly toss your chicken pieces in sour cream to coat.
3.) Roll in Cheez-It Groove cracker crumbs until just coated
4.) Place coated chicken pieces in baking dish.
5.) Drizzle with melted butter.
6.) Bake for about 40 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Allow to sit a few minutes before removing from pan so you don't lose your Cheez-It crust.

This is what I call make the crackers more interesting. We always have random snacks in the house. Pretzels, oyster crackers etc. So I thought it might be a big hit with the kids if I filled the bowl with a fun mix of snacks. It was the perfect way to use the new Cheez-It Crunch'd. Crunch'd is Cheez-It's first-ever crunchy puff made with 100% real cheese and it's yummy!

Cheez-It Snacky Mix
In a medium or large bowl, combine Cheez-It Crunch'd, Cheez-It Groove, Pretzels, Oyster Crackers or any other favorite snack mix ins (skip the chocolate candies on this one, trust me) and simply enjoy! It makes snack time much more interesting!

And now of course, something for the kids.

Cheez-It Box Basketball Craft

This is a spin on those paper lanterns I used to make in elementary school. The fact that Cheez-It boxes are orangey red make them perfect for basketballs. This is a easy and fun craft for the kids, and they look cute too!

You'll need:
A Cheez-It Box
2 brass fasteners from your local office supply store
a hole punch
a pair of scissors or other cutting device

Directions:
1.) Cut the tabs off your Cheez-It box
2.) Cut your box into lengthwise strips about ¾" wide.
3.) Using a hole punch, punch a hole in the top and bottom of each strip. I used my first as a template so I knew my holes would be even.
4.) Thread a brass fastener through each hole and bend over.
5.) Place your fastened strips into a“C” shape and gently pull each strip out, in order, until they are all evenly spaced in a basketball shape.

Okay, now that you have your 3 point shot tips - go to Walmart and grab everything you need. The Cheez-It Crunch'd are new, so don't be afraid to ask about them (I had to search for mine!) I wouldn't want you to miss out on your Snackable Moments!

AND then do not miss the Most Valuable Cheese Contest that is taking place from Feb – April 2015. You can vote on their favorite flavors/varieties from six popular Cheez-It flavors and play games for a chance to win $10,000!!