Quick Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Appetizer Dip and Bites Recipe
A quick and easy appetizer featuring crisp mini phyllo shells filled with creamy cream cheese and sweet, spicy red pepper jelly, garnished with fresh herbs for a flavorful bite-sized treat perfect for parties or gatherings.
- 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 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 the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the mini phyllo shells.
- Arrange the shells: Place the 15 mini phyllo shells evenly on a baking sheet, ensuring they are upright and spaced to allow heat circulation.
- Fill with cream cheese: Spoon about 1 teaspoon of softened cream cheese into each shell, filling them gently but completely.
- Add red pepper jelly: Top each cream cheese-filled shell with approximately 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper jelly for a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors.
- Bake the bites: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the phyllo shells are crisp and the cream cheese is warmed through.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and immediately garnish each bite with fresh thyme leaves or chopped green onion, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened for easy filling.
- Use fresh herbs for garnish to add color and a hint of freshness.
- Serve immediately after baking for the crispest texture.
- Can be prepared ahead by assembling and baking just before serving.
- Substitute cream cheese with a vegan option to make this appetizer dairy-free.
Keywords: mini phyllo shells, cream cheese appetizer, red pepper jelly bites, easy party snack, warm dips
