Quick Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Appetizer Dip and Bites Recipe
A quick and flavorful appetizer featuring creamy softened cream cheese paired with sweet and spicy red pepper jelly, served in crisp mini phyllo shells. Perfect for holiday parties, game days, and elegant gatherings, this versatile recipe can be served warm or at room temperature, with options to customize the heat and cheese type for varied taste experiences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 15 mini phyllo bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 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 phyllo bites.
- Arrange Phyllo Shells: Place the mini phyllo shells evenly on a baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced for even crisping.
- Fill with Cream Cheese: Spoon about 1 teaspoon of softened cream cheese into each phyllo shell, filling them carefully without overstuffing.
- Add Pepper Jelly: Top each cream cheese-filled shell with approximately 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper jelly, adding the signature sweet and spicy flavor.
- Bake the Bites: Bake the filled shells for 5 to 7 minutes until the phyllo is crisp and the cream cheese is warmed through but not melted apart.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh thyme leaves or chopped green onion if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature for best taste and texture.
Notes
- You can use any variety of pepper jelly—adjust the spice level from mild to hot according to your preference.
- To save time, pre-fill phyllo shells and refrigerate them for up to a day before baking.
- Garnish with fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary to enhance both color and flavor.
- For a festive holiday twist, try cranberry-pepper jelly instead of red pepper jelly.
- Serve the dip version with a selection of crackers and raw vegetables to accommodate various dietary preferences.
- The recipe is naturally vegetarian and can be adapted to gluten-free by choosing gluten-free phyllo or alternative bases like mini cucumber rounds.
- Reheat baked bites at 325°F for 5 minutes to restore crispiness if needed.
Keywords: pepper jelly, cream cheese appetizer, phyllo shells, party bites, holiday appetizer, easy snack, sweet and spicy appetizer
