Ingredients:

  • 1 lb chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 12 oz cocktail sausages (Lil' Smokies)
  • 1 lb thick-cut bacon, sliced into thirds
  • 1 lb refrigerated pizza or pretzel dough
  • 2 cups Cheez-It crackers, finely crushed
  • 10 oz large green olives, pitted
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 4 oz pimento peppers, drained and diced
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 0.5 cup salted butter, melted
  • 0.25 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives, minced
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions:

  1. Pat chicken cubes and cocktail sausages completely dry with paper towels to ensure maximum coating adhesion.
  2. For the chicken: Dredge cubes in flour, dip in melted butter, and press firmly into crushed Cheez-It cracker crumbs.
  3. For the bacon smokies: Wrap each cocktail sausage in a bacon sliver, secure with a toothpick, and brush with a mixture of maple syrup and smoked paprika.
  4. Arrange the chicken and bacon-wrapped items in an air fryer basket or on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes until the bacon is deep mahogany and the chicken crust is shatter-crisp.
  6. Wrap remaining sausages in pizza dough and bake until golden-brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
  7. Prepare the cold assembly: Blend cream cheese, shredded cheddar, pimentos, and chives. Chill to 40°F (4°C) before stuffing olives or forming into bite-sized balls.