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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare your workspace by setting the oven temperature to 350°F and lining baking sheets with parchment paper for effortless release and cleaning.
- Meticulously drain and pat dry the pimentos, then finely mince them to guarantee uniform distribution throughout the mixture.
- 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.
- 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.
- Dust a work surface with flour and partition the dough into two equal segments, rolling each portion to a ¼-inch thickness.
- Utilize a cookie cutter to transform the rolled dough into delicate shapes, spacing them approximately one inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Slide the trays into the preheated oven and bake for 17 minutes, monitoring closely to achieve a perfectly golden and crisp texture.
- 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