Bacon Cheese Meringue Puffs

I was talking to Susan recently, and she mused she would like not only gluten free, but some carb free snack.  Ok, that was my chef's challenge - I decided to make up a recipe for Bacon Cheddar Meringue Puffs.

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 4 sliced bacon, cooked, cooled, and diced in food processor
• 1/4 cup cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese   
• Ground black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Spray wells of a 24 count mini muffin pan with cooking spray.
3. Carefully separate egg whites from yolks.
4. Whip eggs for 5 or more minutes in a stand mixer to form thick dry peaks.
5. Sprinkle with ground black pepper.
6. Gently fold in bacon & cheese - trying not to squish egg whites.
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Using small cookie scoop, gather a leveled scoop of mix and drop into each well of mini muffin pan.
8. Bake at 450 degrees for about 5 to 6 minutes until tops are golden brown.
9. After opening oven to confirm color, turn off oven, let pan sit in oven for a couple of minutes.
10. Nudge each puff out of pan and let cool for a few minutes on a cooling rack.

Carole's Notes:

These turned out tasty, and made 24 small puffs. I recommend starting with pre-cooked bacon - less time to finish it off, and less grease to deal with.

Recipe is lightly adapted from http://carolelikesroundfood.blogspot.com/2015/10/egg-in-clouds.html