Name: Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 23 min
Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients: 2 (1.9-ounce) (15-count) mini fillo shells; 1 (3.5-ounce) package chopped real bacon pieces; 3/4 cup prepared pimento cheese (Palmetto Cheese brand recommended); 1/2 cup mild green pepper jelly (melted)

There’s something irresistibly cozy about these little bites—the way the creamy pimento cheese mingles with smoky bacon and a sweet touch of pepper jelly just sings comfort. That’s why this Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe is one of my all-time favorite party starters to whip up in a flash.

The image shows several small tartlets placed in rows on a wooden serving board. Each tartlet has a golden-brown, flaky pastry shell forming the base layer, which is crimped around the edges. Inside the shell, there is a thick layer of melted yellow-orange cheese mixed with small pieces of red and green vegetables. On top, a few bits of crispy brown-red bacon pieces are scattered, adding texture and color contrast. The scene is set against a white marbled background, highlighting the warm tones of the tartlets. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe hits all the right notes for me—and it might for you too. It’s quick, delicious, and packed with flavor, yet doesn’t demand hours in the kitchen. Every bite is creamy, smoky, sweet, and a little crunchy—pure little explosions of yum.

Super quick to assemble: You get tasty bites on the table in under 20 minutes, perfect when guests pop in or last-minute happens.
Flavor-packed combos: That smoky bacon, creamy pimento cheese, and sweet-spicy pepper jelly work together like old friends.
Perfect bite-sized snack: Mini fillo shells hold just the right amount so you can enjoy without overdoing it.
Super versatile: Easy to tweak and make your own depending on what you have or prefer.

The image shows small tartlets placed on a wooden board. Each tartlet has a thin, slightly golden crust forming a scalloped edge layer, filled with melted yellow cheese as the middle layer. The top layer has small pieces of crispy reddish-brown bacon and bits of green herbs scattered across. The board is on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a distinct role to build big flavor in small packages. Plus, grabbing quality versions makes a noticeable difference—trust me on that. Here’s why I love these ingredients together:

Flat lay of crisp mini fillo shells, creamy orange pimento cheese, golden crispy bacon pieces, and glossy mild green pepper jelly, all beautifully arranged with scattered small green pepper bits and some whole red pimentos for color contrast, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Mini fillo shells: Their delicate crispness makes a perfect vessel, light enough to let fillings shine without getting soggy too fast.
Chopped real bacon pieces: The smoky, savory crunch only bacon can provide instantly elevates the bites to crave-worthy levels.
Pimento cheese: This Southern classic cheese spread is creamy, tangy, and full of character—I prefer ready-made brands like Palmetto Cheese for consistency.
Mild green pepper jelly: The gentle sweetness and hint of spice create a lovely contrast and a bit of glaze that ties it all together.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing around with this Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe to suit different occasions and taste buds. It’s a canvas begging for little tweaks, and honestly, it’s hard to go wrong.

Variation: Sometimes, I swap the mild green pepper jelly for a spicy red pepper jelly to kick things up a notch, and my friends always ask for more! It’s a fun way to add heat without losing balance.
Make it vegetarian: Just skip the bacon and add extra crunchy nuts like pecans or walnuts on top for texture, or even a sprinkle of smoked paprika for that smoky vibe.
Seasonal twist: Sub in cranberry jelly around the holidays for a festive flair that’s unexpectedly delicious.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Base

First, get your oven warmed up to 350°F. While it heats, I like to line a baking sheet with parchment paper so the fillo shells don’t stick—makes cleanup a breeze. Having everything ready before assembling saves time and keeps things smooth.

Step 2: Fill Each Fillo Shell

Grab a teaspoon and dollop pimento cheese into each mini fillo shell. Don’t overfill; you want to keep that perfect balance so the filling stays put while baking. Then, drizzle about half a teaspoon of melted green pepper jelly on top. Just enough sweetness to play with the savory notes underneath.

Step 3: Top with Bacon and Bake

Sprinkle a generous teaspoon of chopped bacon on top of each shell—the bacon is the star that adds crunch and smoky flavor. Pop the tray into your preheated oven for 5-8 minutes. Keep an eye so the shells crisp but don’t burn. When they come out, they’re best warm, gooey, and full of flavor.

Top Tip

After making this Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe a bunch of times, I learned a few tricks that make a huge difference in outcome and ease:

Don’t overfill the shells: It’s tempting to pack in more cheese, but a little goes a long way and keeps each bite neat and crisp.
Use quality bacon pieces: Real chopped bacon crumbles give a better texture and flavor punch than dried bits.
Melt the pepper jelly gently: Just a quick zap in the microwave softens the jelly for easy drizzling without burning the shells.
Serve warm: These taste best fresh from the oven, but if they cool off, a quick reheat in the oven restores that lovely melty texture.

How to Serve Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe

bacon pimento cheese - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep garnishes simple to let the bites shine, but a tiny sprig of fresh thyme or chopped green onion on top adds a pretty touch and a hint of freshness. Sometimes, a dash of smoked paprika sprinkled over just before serving gives a subtle smoky aroma that’s just dreamy.

Side Dishes

Pair these bites with crisp vegetable sticks like celery or cucumber to balance their richness. I've also served them alongside a light, tangy salad with vinaigrette to add some brightness. For parties, a chilled glass of sparkling wine complements the creamy, smoky flavors perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I arrange these Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe on a wooden board with small bowls of extra pepper jelly and bacon bits for guests to add if they want. Using colorful mini plates or cupcake liners makes them pop on the appetizer table. And trust me, people love picking from a display that looks as good as these taste.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. However, I find the shells lose some crispness after refrigeration. To bring them back to life, a quick 5-minute warm-up in the oven helps recover that satisfying crunch and melty cheese filling.

Freezing

I generally don’t freeze these because the fillo shells become too fragile once thawed, but if you do want to try, freeze before baking. Wrap well to avoid freezer burn. When ready, bake from frozen, but expect a slightly different texture—still tasty but less crisp.

Reheating

To reheat, place your bites on a baking sheet and warm at 350°F for about 5 minutes. This revives the melty cheese and crunch without drying them out. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that crisp texture intact—microwaves tend to make fillo shells soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use homemade pimento cheese for this recipe?

Absolutely! Homemade pimento cheese adds a lovely personal touch and fresh flavor. Just make sure it’s not too runny, so it stays nicely in the shells.

What can I substitute if I can’t find mini fillo shells?

If mini fillo shells are hard to find, mini phyllo tart shells or even small wonton wrappers pressed into a mini muffin tin can work as alternatives. You just need something that holds the filling while crisping up.

Can I make these bites ahead of time?

You can assemble the Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe a few hours ahead and refrigerate, but I recommend baking them just before serving to keep the shells crisp and flavors fresh.

How long do these bites keep after baking?

Once baked, these bites are best enjoyed within a couple of hours for optimal taste and texture. If you have leftovers, store them in the fridge and reheat as described above.

Final Thoughts

These Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe have become my go-to when the craving for something creamy, savory, and just a bit sweet hits. They remind me of all the warm kitchen chats and quick get-togethers with friends, offering a little bite of comfort and joy every time. I hope you find them as addictive and satisfying as I do—so don’t hesitate, grab your ingredients and treat your taste buds to something special today!