Description
Pimento Cheese Bites are delightful, crispy phyllo cups filled with a creamy, flavorful mixture of sharp cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, cream cheese, and piquant jarred pimentos. This appetizer is perfect for parties and gatherings, offering a delicious blend of tangy and savory notes with a satisfying crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Phyllo Cups
- 2 packages (15 cups per package) phyllo cups (30 cups total)
Filling
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 4 oz jarred pimentos, drained (reserve 1 tbsp juice)
- 2 tsp yellow onion, grated
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Phyllo Cups: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven is heating, remove the phyllo cups from their packages and arrange all 30 cups on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them evenly to ensure proper heat circulation.
- Make the Pimento Cheese Filling: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, softened cream cheese, garlic powder, paprika, and Old Bay seasoning. Use a hand mixer or whisk to blend the ingredients thoroughly until smooth and creamy, ensuring there are no lumps. Gently fold in the drained pimentos along with the reserved 1 tablespoon of pimento juice, grated yellow onion, and grated sharp cheddar cheese. Finally, season the mixture with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste and mix until well incorporated.
- Fill the Phyllo Cups: Using a small cookie scoop or a spoon, generously fill each phyllo cup with the prepared pimento cheese mixture, making sure each cup is nicely filled to the top without overfilling.
- Bake the Cheese Bites: Place the baking sheet with the filled cups into the preheated oven. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese mixture melts completely and the tops are bubbly with a light golden color.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the pimento cheese bites to cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy these crispy, cheesy appetizers immediately.
Notes
- Be sure to reserve the pimento juice as it adds additional flavor to the filling.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for the best flavor contrast and melting qualities.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the filling mixture.
- Phyllo cups can be found in the frozen section or specialty baking aisles of grocery stores.
- These bites are best served fresh but can be made ahead and reheated briefly in the oven.
