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.
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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.
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:
- 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.
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
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:
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.
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.
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.
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!
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Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 30 bites
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Description
Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites are a delicious and easy appetizer featuring crispy mini fillo shells filled with creamy pimento cheese, drizzled with sweet and tangy green pepper jelly, and topped with savory bacon crumbles. Perfect for parties or casual gatherings, these bites combine creamy, sweet, and smoky flavors in every crunchy mouthful.
Ingredients
Appetizer Ingredients
- 2 (1.9-ounce) (15-count) mini fillo shells
- 1 (3.5-ounce) package chopped real bacon pieces
- ¾ cup prepared pimento cheese (Palmetto Cheese brand recommended)
- ½ cup mild green pepper jelly (melted)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the filled mini fillo shells.
- Fill Shells: Fill each mini fillo shell with 1 teaspoon of pimento cheese, ensuring an even layer inside each shell.
- Add Jelly: Drizzle about ½ teaspoon of the melted mild green pepper jelly over the pimento cheese in each shell for a sweet and tangy flavor contrast.
- Top with Bacon: Sprinkle approximately 1 teaspoon of chopped real bacon pieces on top of each shell, adding a savory, crispy texture.
- Bake: Arrange the filled shells on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes to warm and meld the flavors.
- Serve Warm: Remove from oven and serve the bacon pimento cheese bites warm. This recipe yields 30 appetizers.
Notes
- Use high-quality pimento cheese for the best flavor.
- If mini fillo shells are unavailable, small tart shells or wonton cups can be used as substitutes.
- Adjust the amount of green pepper jelly to suit your preferred level of sweetness.
- To make ahead, assemble the bites and refrigerate covered; bake just before serving.
- For a spicier kick, consider using a hotter pepper jelly variant.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 70 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
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