Zinger Mountain Melt is a mouthwatering appetizer that has recently gained popularity.
The dish brings together an expertly crafted combination – savory, sweet, and a hint of spice that leaves taste buds begging for more.
The components of a Zinger Mountain Melt include crispy potatoes, bacon strips, chicken wings, and an irresistible blend of sauces and spices, all topped with a generous helping of shredded cheese.
This dish is versatile and can be enjoyed at any time of the day.
Below, we’ll explore the versatile Zinger Mountain Melt recipe, allowing you to indulge in the delightful flavors and textures of this sumptuous dish.
How to Make Zinger Mountain Melts
Ingredients List
- 5-6 Potatoes (chopped)
- Bacon strips
- 1 bowl of Crispy Chicken Wings (zinger chicken wings)
- Canola oil, 5-6 cups
- Vinegar, 3 tablespoons
- Lemon juice, 2 tablespoons
- Tomato sauce, 1/2 cup
- Garlic sauce, 1/2 cup
- Honey BBQ sauce, 1/2 cup
- Onion-garlic paste, 1 tablespoon
- Chopped scallions, 1 cup
- Red chili flakes, 2 tablespoons
- Shredded cheese, 2-3 cups
Step-by-step process
Step 1: Marinate the chicken wings
Combine the bowl of chicken wings with vinegar, lemon juice, and onion-garlic paste.
Season it with salt and pepper.
Allow the chicken to marinate for 15-20 minutes.
Step 2: Coat and cook the chicken wings
Coat the zinger chicken wings with bread crumbs after marinating.
Fry the coated wings in canola oil until they become crispy.
Set the cooked wings aside.
Step 3: Prepare the potatoes
Peel and chop the potatoes into small pieces.
Fry the potato pieces in canola oil until golden brown and crispy.
Drain excess oil on paper towels and set aside.
Step 4: Cook the bacon strips
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Place bacon strips on a baking sheet and cook them in the oven for about 20 minutes or until they become crispy.
Once done, chop the bacon into smaller pieces.
Step 5: Prepare the sauce mixture:
In a bowl, mix together tomato sauce, garlic sauce, honey BBQ sauce, and red chili flakes.
Adjust the seasoning according to your taste.
Step 6: Assemble the Zinger Mountain Melt
In a large serving dish, layer the crispy potatoes at the bottom, followed by the cooked zinger chicken wings and bacon pieces.
Drizzle the sauce mixture over the mountain melt.
Finally, sprinkle shredded cheese and chopped scallions over the top.
Step 7: Serve
Place your assembled Zinger Mountain Melt in the oven for a few minutes, just until the cheese melts.
Serve the delicious mountain melt snack while it’s hot, and enjoy!
Side Dishes for Zinger Mountain Melts
Potato Chips
A classic and simple companion to your Zinger Mountain Melt is a side of potato chips.
The crispy, salty chips perfectly contrast the melt’s flavors and textures.
They’re easy to share with friends and make for a no-fuss option as you enjoy your mountain of goodness.
Ingredients Substitutes
Sweet Potatoes
For a healthier and more colorful alternative, swap out regular potatoes for sweet potatoes.
Oven-bake them into sweet potato fries or create wedges with a slightly caramelized flavor.
The natural sweetness of the sweet potatoes adds a unique dimension to the meal and pairs well with the savory Zinger Mountain Melt.
Onion-Garlic
You can use a mix of 1/2 cup finely chopped onions and 2 crushed cloves of garlic as a substitute for 1 tablespoon of onion-garlic paste.
This way, you’ll maintain the desired flavor in your Zinger Mountain Melt recipe.
Tomato Sauce Substitute
In place of tomato sauce, you can use 1/2 cup of ketchup or 1/2 cup of pureed canned tomatoes as your substitute.
These alternatives won’t affect the overall taste too much and still provide a thick consistency.
Lemon Juice Substitutes
A good alternative for lemon juice is to use the same amount of vinegar (either white or apple cider) as your recipe calls for lemon juice.
This substitution will help maintain the tanginess that lemon juice provides.
BBQ Sauce Substitute
For those who don’t have BBQ sauce, you can try mixing 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup molasses, 1/4 cup honey, and 1 tablespoon of your favorite hot sauce.
Stir these ingredients together to create a slightly sweet and tangy sauce that would work well with your Zinger Mountain Melt.
How to Store Zinger Mountain Melts
Refrigerating Cooked Zinger Mountain Melts
After you have prepared your Zinger Mountain Melts using the mentioned ingredients (such as cooked bacon, onion-garlic paste, green onions, and chicken in vinegar), allow them to cool down for about 10-15 minutes.
Once cooled, place the Zinger Mountain Melts in an airtight container or cover the baking dish with plastic wrap.
Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing Zinger Mountain Melts
If you want to store the Zinger Mountain Melts for a longer period, freezing is an excellent choice.
After allowing them to cool for 15-20 minutes, place the baking dish with the Zinger Mountain Melts inside the freezer for about an hour.
This will help the chicken pieces and other ingredients to solidify.
Next, remove the dish from the freezer and transfer the Zinger Mountain Melts to a freezer-safe container or plastic bag.
Label the container or bag with the date and store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Inappropriate Sauce Ratios
While preparing Zinger Mountain Melt, one of the most common mistakes people make is using inappropriate sauce ratios.
To achieve the perfect balance of flavors, make sure to use the suggested measurements of 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 1/2 cup garlic sauce and 1/2 cup honey BBQ sauce.
This will help create a harmonious taste and prevent your dish from becoming too soggy or dry.
