Pimento Cheese Bites

5 Star Comment

These were such a hit, even for my husband who claims to hate pimento cheese! My brother thought they tasted like Chinese crab Rangoon. Either way, they were delicious and gobbled up by everyone, and super easy!!!
Amanda

Crispy Phyllo cups filled with pimento cheese then topped with sweet, slightly spicy red pepper jelly makes for delicious appetizer for the holidays, game day or whenever you're entertaining!

The One Bite Everyone Crowds Around

I’ve made a lot of party appetizers over the years, but these pimento cheese bites are one I’ll never stop making—because they always get people hovering around the buffet table. We had a party this past weekend, and these were the first things gone. I’m talking “gone before I even sat down” gone.

They’re simple in the best way: crispy phyllo cups filled with creamy pimento cheese, topped with a little red pepper jelly. After a quick bake, everything turns warm and melty, with that sweet-and-savory bite that feels so Southern. They’re quick, easy to scale up, and they look so pretty on a platter… which is basically my favorite kind of appetizer.

Donya’s Tips and What to Know Before You Start

If you don’t use my homemade pimento cheese, make sure to buy a thicker spread that stays put in the phyllo cups.
Don’t overfill the cups. Fill them just to the top so they don’t bubble over in the oven.
A little pepper jelly goes a long way. Add a small dollop—too much can melt and will slide off during baking.
Bake on a sheet pan. It keeps the cups steady and makes them easy to transfer straight to a serving platter.
Serve them warm for the best texture. Phyllo cups are quite delicate and soften the longer they sit, so these are at their best right after baking.
Make-ahead strategy: set everything out and assemble right before baking (it only takes a few minutes).

Try an Easy Stuffed Mushroom Appetizer, Southern Cavier, or Outrageously Good Stuffed Celery when you’re entertaining or need a quick and easy appetizer.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Pimento cheese is the real star of the show here! You can use store-bought or my homemade pimento cheese.
Red pepper jelly is sweet and a little spicy, and it would be the best addition to these appetizer bites.
Phyllo cups save time and energy because the dough is already prepared and shaped!
You can also add a few pecans to the top of each bite for extra crunch.

Recipe Variations

Use Bacon: Instead of pecans, you can use bacon bits on top of these pimento cheese bites.
More Heat: For more heat, fold some red pepper flakes or jalapeños to the cheese.

How To Make Pimento Cheese Phyllo Cups

Heat the oven to 350°F, then place the phyllo cups on a baking sheet and spoon pimento cheese into each one.
Add a small dollop of red pepper jelly on top (a little goes a long way).
Bake until the cheese is melty and the edges are lightly browned.
Let them rest a few minutes, then serve warm.

Can These Be Made In Advance?

Unfortunately no. The crust gets soggy, so they are best eaten immediately or within a few hours. They only take a few minutes to put together, though, and I promise it’s worth it!

Craving More? Try These Easy Appetizers

Pimento Cheese Bites

4.60 from 15 reviews

Author: Donya Mullins

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 8

Total Time: 18

Servings:

Calories: 122kcal

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Wow your friends and family with this easy to make party appetizer that's the perfect combination of sweet and savory! Crispy Phyllo cups filled with pimento cheese then topped with sweet, slightly spicy red pepper jelly makes for a delicious appetizer for the holidays, game day or whenever you're entertaining.

Ingredients

▢ 2 15 count Phyllo cups
▢ 1 cup pimento cheese – homemade or store bought
▢ ⅓ cup red pepper jelly
▢ ¼ cup chopped pecans – optional

Instructions

▢
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
▢
Place Phyllo cups on a baking sheet. Spoon pimento cheese into each cup and top with red pepper jelly. If desired, add a pecan piece to each. Bake in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes.
▢
Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes. Serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving · Calories: 122kcal · Carbohydrates: 11g · Protein: 0.3g · Fat: 7g · Saturated Fat: 2g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g · Monounsaturated Fat: 1g · Cholesterol: 13mg · Sodium: 249mg · Potassium: 19mg · Fiber: 0.4g · Sugar: 8g · Vitamin A: 216IU · Vitamin C: 3mg · Calcium: 90mg · Iron: 0.1mg

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different jelly?

Sure! Pepper jelly is the classic here, but apricot preserves, Jezebel sauce, or even fig jam are all delicious with pimento cheese—just keep the topping small so it doesn’t slide off.

Can these be frozen?

No, these do not freeze well because the crust will become soggy when thawing and reheating.

How long do leftovers last?

If you have leftovers, store them airtight in the fridge and eat within 1–2 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to bring back some crispness (the microwave will soften the shells).

Serving Suggestions

I love arriving at a party with a tray full of exciting and tasty appetizers. Alongside these pimento cheese bites, I often have Crock Pot Cocktail Party Meatballs, Salami Cream Cheese Roll Ups, and Creamy Southern Deviled Eggs.

If you tried this Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!

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