This quick and easy cheese hot pepper jelly bites appetizer is made with phyllo shells filled with pimento cheese and hot pepper jelly. Top them with chopped crispy bacon, or leave it off for a vegetarian appetizer.
Use Homemade Pimento Cheese or Store Bought
This is an easy no-bake appetizer that you can quickly put together with pepper jelly and homemade pimento cheese (or your favorite store-bought brand). To create an extra-spicy taste, use pimento cheese flavored with jalapenos or other peppers.
Make it Vegetarian
This appetizer combines sweet and savory flavors in one bite. The bacon pieces sprinkled on top are the perfect topping but can be left off for vegetarian eaters.
Use Phyllo Shells for Cheese Hot Pepper Jelly Bites
Mini phyllo shells (as known as fillo or filo) are found in the freezer section of the grocery store. Keep them frozen at home for long-term storage. They will also keep unopened in the refrigerator for about 4 weeks.
No Shell Thawing for Cheese Hot Pepper Jelly Bites
Unlike phyllo dough, you can use phyllo shells as soon as you take them out of the package because they thaw quickly. By the time you can fill the shells with your appetizer, they will be ready to eat. There is no need to bake them either because they are fully cooked and ready to use.
Optional Baking for Cheese Hot Pepper Jelly Bites
If you prefer a warm appetizer, you can bake this one. Add the pimento cheese and pepper jelly to the shells. Then bake them in a preheated 350-degree F oven for 8-10 minutes or until the pimento cheese melts. To keep the bottom of the shells crisp after baking, let them cool on a wire rack. Finally, add the crumbled bacon to the top of the appetizer shells before serving.
Keep the Shells Crisp
To keep the shells crisp, add the fillings close to the time you plan to serve them. I have eaten refrigerated leftovers the next day that were crispy and fine, but this appetizer is best when it is freshly made. Enjoy!
Other Appetizer Recipes You Might Like
Click on each name to link to the recipe:
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- Pork Tenderloin Crostini
- Easy Turkey Salad Appetizers
- Pimento Cheese Sausage Balls
- Sour Cherry Cheddar Bites
| Prep Time | 20 minutes |
| Cook Time | 0 |
| Servings |
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- 8- ounce block (227 grams) cheddar cheese, shredded See the note below about using packaged shredded cheese
- 8- ounce block (227 grams) monterey jack cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons vinegar
- 2/3 - 1 cup (230 grams) mayonnaise
- 1 4-ounce jar (113 grams) pimento, chopped and drained, reserving liquid in a bowl
- 2 boxes mini fillo shells The amount of fillo shells may vary by brand. I used 2 boxes of Athens brand which is 30 shells.
- pimento cheese or a 12-ounce container of store bought plain pimento cheese
- 1 jar pepper jelly See notes below for online sources of pepper jelly
- 6-8 strips bacon, cooked & broken into small pieces
Ingredients
Pimento Cheese Ingredients
Appetizer Ingredients
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- In a mixing bowl, add the shredded cheeses, sugar, vinegar, and chopped pimento. Stir to distribute ingredients throughout cheeses.
- Add 2/3 cup of mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon of reserved liquid from chopped pimentos to cheese mixture and stir well. Add additional mayonnaise and/or pimento juice as needed to create a cheese mixture that is loose and easy to stir. Once refrigerated, the mixture will stiffen and will need stirring before using.
- Remove mini fillo shells from the box. There is no need to thaw them.
- With a small spoon, place pimento cheese in the shell until mostly filled. Gently, pack the pimento cheese into the shell and leave a slight well to help hold the pepper jelly.
- With another spoon, place a small amount of pepper jelly on top of the pimento cheese. It should come to the top of the shell but not spilling over.
- Sprinkle a few pieces of chopped bacon on top of the pepper jelly. Serve and enjoy!
You can substitute pre-shredded packaged cheese but the flavor and texture will be a little different from freshly shredded cheese. If using packaged cheese substitute 2 cups for each cheese and use a more finely-shredded cheese.
Click here for the online source of mini fillo shells that I used.
I used Trader Joe's Pepper Jelly but other brands will work just as well. An average-sized jar will leave you with plenty left over to use later.ย ย Click here to buy Trader Joe's brand and here for Stonewall Kitchen Red Pepper Jelly.
Any leftover pimento cheese can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for about two weeks. This pimento cheese recipe will have enough leftover for another appetizer making.