Quick Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Appetizer Dip and Bites Recipe
A quick and easy appetizer featuring mini phyllo shells filled with creamy cream cheese and sweet-spicy red pepper jelly, baked until crisp and topped with fresh herbs for an elegant bite-sized treat.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 15 appetizer bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
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 Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the appetizer bites.
- Arrange Phyllo Shells: Place the mini phyllo shells evenly spaced on a baking sheet to ensure even cooking.
- Fill Shells: Spoon about 1 teaspoon of softened cream cheese into each phyllo shell carefully to avoid overfilling.
- Add Red Pepper Jelly: Top each cream cheese-filled shell with approximately 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper jelly for a sweet and spicy contrast.
- Bake: Bake the filled shells in the preheated oven for 5–7 minutes until the phyllo shells are crisp and the cream cheese is warmed through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the bites from the oven and garnish with fresh thyme leaves or chopped green onion if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature for best flavor.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened for easy filling and smooth texture.
- You can substitute mini tart shells if phyllo shells are not available.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper jelly to your preferred level of sweetness and spice.
- These appetizers are best served fresh but can be prepared shortly in advance and warmed before serving.
- For a vegetarian option, confirm that the phyllo shells do not contain any animal fats.
Keywords: pepper jelly, cream cheese appetizer, phyllo shells, party bites, quick appetizers, easy baking, sweet and spicy dip
