The Perfect Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe for Tasty Gatherings

Pimento cheese bites spark culinary excitement with their irresistible blend of Southern comfort and gourmet appeal.

Small yet mighty, these bite-sized delights pack incredible flavor into every morsel.

Creamy textures mingle with sharp cheese undertones, creating a harmonious taste experience that catches people’s attention.

Rich ingredients dance together, promising a delectable journey for your palate.

Compact and elegant, these appetizers work perfectly for casual gatherings or sophisticated cocktail parties.

Guests will instantly fall in love with their vibrant character and mouthwatering charm.

You can’t help but marvel at how something so simple can deliver such remarkable satisfaction.

Explore this recipe and watch magic unfold on your plate.

What Makes Pimento Cheese Bites a Favorite

• These pimento cheese bites pack a punch with sharp cheddar, ground mustard, and chili flakes, creating a bold and tangy taste sensation that'll wake up your taste buds.
• The carefully rolled and cut dough transforms into delightfully crisp bites with a golden-brown exterior, delivering a satisfying crunch in every single bite.
• This recipe requires minimal prep time and simple ingredients, making it a stress-free snack that even novice bakers can confidently create in under 30 minutes.
• Ideal for gatherings, game days, or casual snacking, these bites work wonderfully as an appetizer or quick treat that'll impress friends and family with minimal effort.

Ingredients for Pimento Cheese Bites

• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Provides rich, tangy flavor and helps bind the bites together.
• Olive Oil: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth dough texture.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the base structure for the crispy bites.
• Ground Mustard: Adds a subtle, warm spice note to enhance overall flavor.
• Chili Flakes: Brings a gentle heat and extra depth to the bites.

• Pimentos: Adds bright, sweet pepper flavor and beautiful color to the cheese bites.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies the overall taste of the bites.

Cooking Directions for Pimento Cheese Bites

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Warm the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper for smooth release and easy cleaning. Ensure oven rack is centered.

Step 2: Process Pimentos

Drain pimentos completely. Gently blot with clean kitchen towels to remove excess moisture. Chop pimentos into tiny, uniform pieces using a sharp knife.

Step 3: Create Dry Ingredient Blend

• All-purpose flour
• Ground mustard
• Chili flakes

Add chopped pimentos and gently fold until ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 4: Develop Cheese Mixture

• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Olive oil
• Salt

Merge cheese mixture with flour blend. Mix carefully until ingredients just combine. Use fingertips to softly knead dough, ensuring even ingredient distribution.

Step 5: Shape Savory Bites

Dust work surface with light flour coating. Divide dough into two equal portions. Roll each section to 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to create delightful shapes.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Arrange cut dough pieces one inch apart on prepared baking sheets. Slide into preheated oven. Bake 15-20 minutes, with 17 minutes delivering optimal crispness.

Step 7: Cool and Store

Transfer baked bites onto wire cooling rack. Allow complete cooling before storing in airtight container. This preserves their satisfying crunch.

Pro Tips for Pimento Cheese Bites

• Drain Pimentos Precisely: Pat pimentos completely dry to prevent excess moisture from making bites soggy, ensuring a crisp and flavorful result.
• Master Dough Consistency: Knead dough gently and just until ingredients are combined to avoid tough, dense bites that lack the desired delicate texture.
• Space Bites Strategically: Leave enough room between each bite on the baking sheet to allow even heat circulation and achieve uniform golden-brown edges.
• Check Baking Time Carefully: Watch bites closely around the 15-minute mark to prevent burning, aiming for a perfect golden color and crisp exterior.
• Cool Completely for Crunch: Let bites cool entirely on a wire rack to lock in crispiness and develop full flavor before storing or serving.

Best Ways to Store and Reheat Pimento Cheese Bites

• Refrigerate: Store cooled pimento cheese bites in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Pack bites in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 3 months to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
• Reheat: Warm refrigerated or thawed bites in a preheated oven at 325°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwave reheating, which can make them soggy.

Serving Suggestions for Pimento Cheese Bites

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the sharp cheddar and spicy chili flakes with a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio, cutting through the richness of the cheese bites.
• Match with Refreshing Beer: Select a light craft pilsner or wheat beer that balances the tangy pimento and cheesy flavors, providing a clean, smooth drinking experience.
• Serve with Zesty Cocktail: Create a perfectly balanced appetizer moment by offering a classic gin and tonic with a twist of lime, which enhances the bite's spicy and cheesy profile.
• Add Rustic Red Sangria: The fruity and slightly acidic sangria offsets the rich cheese, bringing a Mediterranean-style brightness to these savory nibbles.

Flavor Upgrades for Pimento Cheese Bites

• Spicy Southern Crunch: Add extra cayenne pepper and smoked paprika to intensify the heat, creating a bold, fiery version of the original pimento cheese bites that packs a southern-style punch.
• Herbed Cheese Medallions: Incorporate fresh chopped rosemary, thyme, and chives into the dough for an aromatic herb-infused experience that elevates the classic cheese bite with garden-fresh flavors.
• Bacon Cheddar Crisp: Mix in finely chopped crispy bacon bits and a sprinkle of cracked black pepper to introduce a smoky, savory dimension that complements the sharp cheddar cheese perfectly.
• Jalapeño Cheese Rounds: Dice fresh jalapeños and fold them into the dough for a zesty, green-flecked bite that brings a vibrant kick and subtle heat to the original recipe.

Pimento Cheese Bites FAQs

• Can I make these bites ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking. They also store well in an airtight container for 3-4 days after baking.

• What if I don't have a cookie cutter?

No problem! You can use a knife to cut the dough into squares or triangles. The shape doesn’t affect the delicious taste of these cheese bites.

• How spicy are these cheese bites?

They have a mild kick from the chili flakes, but it’s not overwhelming. If you prefer less heat, you can reduce or skip the chili flakes entirely.

• Can I freeze these pimento cheese bites?

Absolutely! These bites freeze wonderfully. Just place them in a freezer-safe container between layers of parchment paper and store for up to 1 month. Reheat in the oven for a few minutes to restore their crispness.

Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 42 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Savory Pimento Cheese Bites blend Southern comfort with elegant appetizer charm. Crisp pastry shells cradle creamy, spicy cheese, promising a delightful flavor explosion you’ll crave at every gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2.5 cups (300 grams) finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1.5 cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour

Cheese and Flavoring:

• 1 4-ounce (113 grams) jar diced pimentos
• 1 teaspoon ground mustard
• ½ teaspoon chili flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt

Additional Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) olive oil

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Instructions

1. Prepare your workspace by setting the oven temperature to 350°F and lining baking sheets with parchment paper for effortless release and cleaning.
2. Meticulously drain and pat dry the pimentos, then finely mince them to guarantee uniform distribution throughout the mixture.
3. Create a flavor base by whisking together flour, ground mustard, and chili flakes in a mixing bowl, then fold in the chopped pimentos until evenly coated.
4. Blend shredded sharp cheddar, olive oil, and salt in a separate container, then gently incorporate this into the flour mixture, using your hands to softly knead the dough until ingredients are thoroughly integrated.
5. Dust a work surface with flour and partition the dough into two equal segments, rolling each portion to a ¼-inch thickness.
6. Utilize a cookie cutter to transform the rolled dough into delicate shapes, spacing them approximately one inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
7. Slide the trays into the preheated oven and bake for 17 minutes, monitoring closely to achieve a perfectly golden and crisp texture.
8. Transfer the freshly baked bites to a wire cooling rack, allowing them to rest and maintain their satisfying crunch before storing in an airtight container.

Notes

• Moisture Management: Thoroughly drain and pat dry pimentos to prevent soggy bites and ensure crisp, flavorful results.
• Flour Coating Technique: Evenly coat pimentos with flour mixture to create a uniform base for maximum flavor distribution.
• Gentle Mixing Method: Lightly knead dough to blend ingredients without overworking, maintaining a tender texture.
• Baking Sweet Spot: Aim for 17 minutes of baking to achieve the perfect golden-brown crispiness without burning.
• Cooling Strategy: Let bites cool completely on a wire rack to preserve their crunchy exterior and prevent sogginess.
• Storage Tip: Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness and crisp texture for several days.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 17 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 130
• Sugar: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg