Quick Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Appetizer Dip and Bites Recipe
This Quick Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Appetizer Dip and Bites recipe offers a perfect blend of creamy and sweet-spicy flavors presented in crisp mini phyllo shells. Ideal for parties or casual gatherings, these bite-sized appetizers are simple to prepare and bake quickly to serve warm or at room temperature with an optional fresh herb garnish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 15 appetizer bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Appetizer Bites
- 1 box (15-count) mini phyllo shells
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup red pepper jelly
- Fresh thyme leaves or chopped green onion (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the mini phyllo shells.
- Arrange Phyllo Shells: Place the mini phyllo shells evenly spaced on a baking sheet, ensuring they have room to crisp up during baking.
- Fill with Cream Cheese: Using a teaspoon, fill each phyllo shell with about 1 teaspoon of softened cream cheese, spreading evenly within the shell.
- Add Red Pepper Jelly: Dollop about 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper jelly on top of the cream cheese in each shell to add a sweet and spicy contrast.
- Bake: Bake the assembled bites in the preheated oven for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the phyllo shells become crisp and the cream cheese is warmed through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and optionally garnish each bite with fresh thyme leaves or chopped green onion for a burst of fresh flavor and color. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to make filling easier and more uniform.
- You can prepare these bites ahead and bake just before serving to keep shells crisp.
- Substitute fresh herbs like basil or chives if preferred for garnish.
- For a milder spice level, adjust the amount of red pepper jelly used or choose a milder jelly variant.
- Serve immediately after baking for best texture or keep at room temperature for up to 1 hour before serving.
Keywords: pepper jelly appetizer, cream cheese phyllo bites, party appetizers, easy finger foods, holiday appetizer
