Quick Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Appetizer Dip and Bites Recipe
This Quick Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Appetizer Dip and Bites recipe offers a deliciously simple and elegant bite-sized treat perfect for parties or casual gatherings. Mini phyllo shells are filled with creamy, tangy cream cheese topped with sweet and spicy red pepper jelly, then baked to warm perfection. Garnished with fresh thyme or green onion for added flavor and color, these savory bites are sure to impress your guests with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 17 minutes
- Yield: 15 appetizer bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
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 the oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the phyllo shells evenly.
- Arrange Phyllo Shells: Place the mini phyllo shells evenly spaced on a baking sheet to prepare for filling and baking.
- Fill Shells: Spoon about 1 teaspoon of softened cream cheese into each mini shell, creating a smooth layer as the base for the jelly topping.
- Add Red Pepper Jelly: Top each cream cheese-filled shell with approximately 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper jelly, adding a sweet and spicy contrast to the creamy cheese.
- Bake: Bake the prepared shells in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes until the phyllo shells turn crisp and the cream cheese is warmed through but not melted completely.
- Garnish: Remove from oven and optionally garnish each bite with fresh thyme leaves or chopped green onions to enhance flavor and visual appeal.
- Serve: Serve these appetizer bites warm or at room temperature for best taste and texture. Enjoy immediately for optimal freshness.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to ensure easy filling.
- You can substitute the red pepper jelly with your favorite flavored jelly for different variations.
- If you don’t have mini phyllo shells, mini tartlet shells or wonton wrappers can work as alternatives.
- Prepare these ahead and bake just before serving to keep shells crisp.
- Garnishes like fresh thyme or green onions add a fresh taste but can be omitted if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini phyllo bite
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 4.5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: pepper jelly dip, cream cheese appetizer, phyllo shell bites, party appetizers, easy appetizer, sweet and spicy dip
