If you’re on the hunt for a crowd-pleaser that’s super easy and ridiculously tasty, let me introduce you to my Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe. Seriously, these little bites pack so much flavor with just a few simple ingredients, and they come together faster than you can say “pass me one!” Whether you’re gearing up for a game day, holiday party, or just a casual get-together, these appetizers are the ultimate conversational starters. Stick around—I’m about to share everything you need to nail this recipe every single time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in about 20 minutes, these bites let you enjoy more time with guests and less time in the kitchen.
- Flavor Explosion: Tangy pimento cheese, smoky bacon, and sweet pepper jelly create such a delicious combo, you’ll be hooked instantly.
- Perfectly Portable: Mini fillo shells make each bite crisp and mess-free, ideal for parties or casual snacking.
- Customizable: Easy to tweak based on your spice level or ingredient preferences without losing the magic.
Ingredients & Why They Work
These ingredients truly complement each other, building layers of flavor and texture that make this Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe so irresistible. Plus, nothing complicated here—just good, quality staples you can find at your local store without breaking a sweat.
- Mini fillo shells: These light, delicate shells provide a perfectly crispy base that holds all the fillings without sogginess.
- Chopped real bacon pieces: Skip bacon bits that are overly processed—real bacon crumbles add authentic smoky flavor and satisfying crunch.
- Prepared pimento cheese: I love using Palmetto Cheese brand because it’s creamy with just the right kick of pimento—homemade works too!
- Mild green pepper jelly: Melting it slightly helps it drizzle smoothly over the bites, adding a subtle sweetness that balances the savory ingredients.
Note:
Exact ingredients and measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
Make It Your Way
I find this Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe so versatile, it’s fun to put your own twist on it depending on the occasion or what you have in the fridge. Don’t be shy about experimenting—you might discover a new favorite!
- Spicy Kick: Once, I stirred in some diced jalapeño to the pimento cheese for a fiery edge that had friends reaching for seconds faster than usual.
- Different Cheeses: Swap out mild cheese for something sharper like extra sharp cheddar or even a creamy blue cheese for a bold change of pace.
- Jam Varieties: Green pepper jelly is classic, but I’ve used red pepper jelly or even fig preserves to vary the sweetness and tang.
- Make It Vegetarian: Simply omit the bacon and add crunchy roasted nuts or crispy fried onions to keep that savoriness intact.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep the Shells
First things first—preheat your oven to 350°F. This temperature is perfect to warm the bites just enough to meld the flavors without drying out the shells. While that’s heating, grab your mini fillo shells and place them on a baking sheet; they’re delicate, so gentle hands here will save you from broken shells!
Step 2: Fill the Shells with Pimento Cheese
Using a teaspoon, scoop about 1 teaspoon of prepared pimento cheese into each shell. I like to press it down lightly so the cheese fills the shell evenly but doesn’t overflow—this keeps the bite neat and perfect for sharing.
Step 3: Add Pepper Jelly and Bacon
Next, drizzle roughly ½ teaspoon of the melted mild green pepper jelly over the top of the cheese. This little bit of warmth helps the jelly spread nicely. Finally, sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of those delicious bacon crumbles over each—this is where the magic happens, trust me!
Step 4: Bake and Serve Warm
Pop them in the oven for 5 to 8 minutes—just enough to melt everything together and crisp the edges. Keep an eye on them; you want to enjoy that yummy gooey cheese without burning those fragile fillo shells. Serve warm and watch these disappear fast!
Pro Tips for Making Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe
- Use Quality Bacon Crumbles: I tried both store-bought and homemade bacon bits; the homemade ones gave the best crispy texture and flavor punch.
- Don’t Overfill the Shells: Overstuffing causes spills and sogginess—stick to about a teaspoon of filling for manageable, perfect bites.
- Melt Pepper Jelly Slightly: Warming the jelly just a bit makes drizzling easier and helps it spread evenly without overpowering sweetness.
- Watch the Baking Time: Fill your oven carefully and keep a close eye to avoid burning the delicate fillo; 5-8 minutes is just right for golden, tasty bites.
How to Serve Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe
Garnishes
I like to add a few fresh sprigs of thyme or a tiny sprinkle of paprika on top—just enough to add a touch of color and hint at the flavors inside. Thinly sliced green onions or chives also bring a nice freshness that plays well with the richness.
Side Dishes
Pair these bites with a crisp garden salad or a bowl of spicy tomato soup for a cozy combo. They also go great alongside a chilled charcuterie board if you want to keep things casual but classy.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive vibe, I’ve arranged them on a wooden board lined with lettuce leaves, sprinkling a bit of crumbled cooked bacon and sprigs of parsley around. You can also pop each bite into mini cupcake liners for easy serving at larger parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (which is rare!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just be aware the fillo won’t stay crispy, but the flavors are still spot on.
Freezing
I haven’t frozen these bites myself because the texture suffers, but if you want to prep the filling ahead, that freezes really well! Just thaw and fill fresh shells before baking.
Reheating
To bring back some crisp, pop leftovers in a 325°F oven for a few minutes on a baking sheet. Microwave just makes the shells soggy, so avoid that if you want the full experience.
FAQs
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Can I use homemade pimento cheese for Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe?
Absolutely! Homemade pimento cheese is fantastic here and lets you adjust the spice and creaminess exactly how you like it. Just make sure it’s not too runny or it might make the fillo shells soggy.
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What else can I substitute for green pepper jelly?
You can use red pepper jelly, apricot jam, or even a spicy marmalade. Each adds a slightly different sweetness and heat, so pick what suits your taste best.
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Can these bites be made gluten-free?
Yes! Just swap the mini fillo shells for gluten-free filo or use sturdy endive leaves for a fresh, crunchy vessel.
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How do I prevent the fillo shells from getting soggy?
Fill just before baking and serve immediately after warming. Keeping filling moisture in check and avoiding sitting time helps maintain crispness.
Final Thoughts
This Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe has become my go-to when I want something effortless but deeply satisfying to share. The perfect balance of smoky, creamy, sweet, and crunchy in every bite is just plain irresistible. Give it a whirl—you’ll be getting compliments and recipe requests quicker than you expect, and honestly, I’m excited for you to experience this little Southern-inspired gem!
Print
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: American
Description
These Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites are delightful mini appetizers combining crispy bacon, creamy pimento cheese, and a sweet touch of green pepper jelly all nestled in crunchy mini filo shells. Perfect for parties or gatherings, they are quick to prepare and serve warm for an irresistible bite-sized treat.
Ingredients
Appetizer
- 2 (1.9-ounce) (15-count) mini fillo shells
- 1 (3.5-ounce) package chopped real bacon pieces
- 3/4 cup prepared pimento cheese (I like Palmetto Cheese brand)
- 1/2 cup mild green pepper jelly (melted)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to ensure it is hot and ready for baking the filled fillo shells.
- Fill shells: Spoon 1 teaspoon of pimento cheese into each mini fillo shell, making sure each is evenly filled.
- Add toppings: Drizzle about 1/2 teaspoon of the melted green pepper jelly on top of the pimento cheese in each shell.
- Sprinkle bacon: Sprinkle approximately 1 teaspoon of the chopped bacon pieces over each shell evenly for a savory crunch.
- Bake: Arrange the filled shells on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes until warm and slightly crisp.
- Serve warm: Remove from oven and serve immediately to enjoy the perfect combination of flavors and textures.
Notes
- You can substitute the green pepper jelly with a mild red pepper jelly for a slightly different flavor profile.
- For a crispier bite, broil the filled shells for the last 1-2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- If mini fillo shells are unavailable, small tartlet shells or wonton wrappers can be used instead.
- The bacon pieces used are pre-cooked; if using raw bacon, cook it until crispy and cool before adding.
- Prepare the pimento cheese ahead to save time when assembling the bites.
