It’s my favorite time of the year to make appetizers and this one is a keeper! Using mini phyllo shells are a great way to make special treats such as these pimento cheese bites. You get sweet from the jelly and mild pimentos, salty from the bacon, cheesy goodness, and crunchy light phyllo shells. Make plenty as they will disappear fast! Christmas colors too…
I used my MIL’s recipe for pimento cheese that I have been making for many years. Once I tried a different version and it was frowned upon – so never again if family is eating it. They can tell…
You can make this recipe by using store-bought pimento cheese and bacon bits. Hardly any work!
Pimento Cheese Bites with Bacon and Green Pepper Jelly in Phyllo Shells
- 2 (1.9 oz. – 15 count) mini Phyllo shells
- 3 pieces of bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
- 3/4 cup pimento cheese (Homemade – see below or use your favorite brand)
- 1/4 cup mild green pepper jelly (you could use red but the green is a nice contrast with the pimentos)
Mom G’s Pimento Cheese:
- 1 (4 oz.) jar of pimentos, diced and include the juice
- 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 oz. mild cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Hellmann’s mayonnaise (I use low-fat) – see NOTE
- pinch or two of sugar
Combine all of the ingredients and refrigerate until serving.
Assemble:
I used my Cuisinart Digital Air Fryer Toaster Oven to make these. Preheating at 350 degrees is just 5 minutes and a minute or two to melt the cheese mixture. A lot simpler than using my regular oven. If you are making a lot then of course use your oven – just watch carefully as you only want the cheese to melt.
Place the shells on a sheet pan and fill each shell with 1 tsp. pimento cheese. Drizzle with 1/2 tsp. of the melted pepper jelly and sprinkle the bacon crumbles over the top of each one. Bake for only a minute or two until the cheese melts.
NOTE: I just read on thekitchn that Hellmann’s was Julia Child’s favorite mayo, no not Duke’s. We not only share the same nickname “Juju” but we both prefer Hellmann’s!
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com
The picture below includes a small stainless steel scoop but I didn’t use it. Easier to just use your hands…
I have a jar of pimentos calling my name on this! 🍃😍🌲
It’s so easy to make your own pimento cheese and my MIL’s recipe is simple but delicious and very good in this appetizer 🙂
These look so pretty, and totally addictive! Love the combination of flavors. 🙂
Thanks – colors of the holiday for sure. These are very addictive for me – the cheese melts and results in a very good flavor with the bacon and jelly 🙂
My Grandma’s pimento cheese! OMG, yes!!!!!!
You have to try these Janna – a great way to use her pimento cheese with a holiday twist 🙂
What a great idea for an appetizer. I wish we had those mini phyllo shells here. Maybe I can make some. I’m sure wanting to taste these. Take care over your way…
Thanks Ron – They will be a favorite year round as I make my MIL’s pimento cheese often. Do you get phyllo (filo) sheets – you could make your own cups that way. I also have chocolate and graham cracker cups that I hope to use before the season is over. Stay safe and enjoy the holidays!
Judi, getting fresh or frozen filo is no problem here, so I might just try making my own cups.
I can’t wait to make this recipe. We Southerners love our homemade pimento cheese and a favorite of mine is a grownup grilled cheese sandwich made with pimento cheese and bacon. This sounds like a sophisticated version of that food combination and even though no holiday parties this year, I will still be trying this one out – for myself!
I love the same kind of sandwich but with a couple slices of tomato and lettuce leaf and of course bacon. This appetizer using pimento cheese is absolutely delicious – they melt in your mouth and you can’t stop with just eating one. Colorful holiday one bite appetizer.