Name: Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 23 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 (1.9-ounce) (15-count) mini fillo shells; 1 (3.5-ounce) package chopped real bacon pieces; 3/4 cup prepared pimento cheese (Palmetto Cheese brand recommended); 1/2 cup mild green pepper jelly (melted)

There’s something undeniably fun about little bites packed with bold flavors—that's exactly why this Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe has become a favorite in my kitchen. Crispy, creamy, sweet, and smoky all at once, these tiny treasures are perfect for sharing or sneaking a few on your own.

Small tartlets are shown on a wooden board over a white marbled surface. Each tartlet has a golden, crispy, ruffled crust that holds a creamy yellow-orange filling topped with small pieces of crispy reddish-brown bacon. The tartlets are arranged in a scattered pattern with the focus on the front ones, showing texture details on the filling and crust. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I've made plenty of appetizers that look great but don’t quite deliver on flavor. These Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites? They hit every note—and fast. I love sharing them with friends because they’re always a hit and ridiculously easy to throw together.

Quick Assembly: You can put these together in under 20 minutes, making them ideal for last-minute guests or casual get-togethers.
Bold Flavors in a Bite: The salty bacon, creamy pimento cheese, and sweet pepper jelly create a perfectly balanced flavor explosion.
Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you're entertaining or just want a snack to impress yourself, these bites fit the bill every time.
No-Fuss Ingredients: You probably have most of these around or can find them easily at any grocery store.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each component of this Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe plays a tasty role. From the crunchy shell to the luscious pimento cheese and smoky bacon, everything blends into a perfect little pop of flavor. I always recommend using good-quality ingredients here — it really makes the difference.

Flat lay of crispy chopped bacon pieces, smooth creamy pimento cheese with bits of pimento, glossy mild green pepper jelly in a small puddle, golden mini fillo shells, scattered red pimento peppers, and fresh green bell pepper slices, all beautifully arranged in a balanced composition and vibrant colors, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Mini fillo shells: These provide a crisp, delicate base that holds everything without overpowering the flavors.
Chopped real bacon pieces: I love bacon’s smoky crunch — and using pre-cooked bacon crumbles saves time, so you can focus on assembling.
Prepared pimento cheese: Palmetto Cheese is my favorite for its creamy texture and tangy bite, but homemade works beautifully too.
Mild green pepper jelly: Melting this jelly and drizzling it adds just the right touch of sweetness and slight heat that ties the whole bite together.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe is how easy it is to tweak and make your own. Don’t be afraid to mix up the flavors or add a little personal flair to suit your taste or occasion.

Variation: I sometimes swap the green pepper jelly for a spicy apricot jam when I want a bit more kick — it’s surprisingly delicious!
Dietary mod: For a lighter version, try using turkey bacon bits or a reduced-fat pimento cheese.
Seasonal twist: Adding a tiny sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs like chives or parsley on top adds a fresh, bright contrast.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

First things first—get your oven heated to 350°F. I like to line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. While that’s warming, gather your mini fillo shells, pimento cheese, bacon pieces, and melted green pepper jelly so you’re not hunting around.

Step 2: Fill the Shells

Spoon about 1 teaspoon of pimento cheese into each mini fillo shell. I find using a small cookie scoop or teaspoon helps keep the portions even and tasting consistent. No one wants a skimpy or overloaded bite!

Step 3: Drizzle and Sprinkle

Drizzle roughly ½ teaspoon of the melted green pepper jelly over the cheese — this brings that sweet-spicy element right to your palate. Then top with about a teaspoon of the bacon crumbles for that irresistible crunch and smoky flavor.

Step 4: Bake and Serve Warm

Place the filled shells on your baking sheet and pop it in the oven for 5 to 8 minutes. You're aiming to warm everything through and soften the cheese just slightly without burning. Serve these warm—they’re best enjoyed fresh!

Top Tip

From my experience making Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe multiple times, a few little tricks make all the difference to perfect results every time.

Choose quality pimento cheese: Go for a brand or homemade version that’s creamy but not overly wet to avoid soggy shells.
Don’t overfill: Filling each shell with just a teaspoon keeps bites neat and prevents spills during baking.
Melt jelly gently: I microwave the green pepper jelly in short bursts and stir to smooth, so it’s easy to drizzle without clumps.
Serve immediately: These are best enjoyed warm to get that gooey, melty cheese and crispy crust experience. If you wait too long, the shells can soften.

How to Serve Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe

Garnishes

I like to add a tiny sprinkle of chopped fresh chives or flat-leaf parsley on top just before serving—it brings a bit of color and fresh flavor that contrasts the richness perfectly.

Side Dishes

A crisp green salad or a platter of fresh veggies pairs beautifully to balance these rich bites. Sometimes, I serve them alongside a tangy coleslaw or pickled jalapeños to add extra zing.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings or parties, I arrange these bites on a wooden charcuterie board with extra bacon pieces and small bowls of pepper jelly for dipping. It transforms them from simple appetizers to a fancy spread guests love showing off.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which is rare in my house), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The shells do soften a bit, so they’re still tasty reheated but lose some crunch.

Freezing

I haven’t had great luck freezing these since the fillo shells get soggy. For best results, make them fresh or just prep the filling ahead and assemble last minute.

Reheating

To reheat, pop the bites in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes or so to help crisp the shells back up and warm the filling. Avoid microwaving, which can make the shells limp.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use homemade pimento cheese for this recipe?

Absolutely! Homemade pimento cheese works wonderfully and lets you control the flavor. Just make sure it’s not too runny so it doesn't make the fillo shells soggy.

What can I substitute for green pepper jelly?

If you don’t have green pepper jelly, mild apricot jam or a sweet chili sauce can be a good substitute. The goal is to add a bit of sweetness and a gentle kick.

Can I prepare these bites ahead of time?

You can fill the shells ahead of time but I recommend baking and adding the bacon topping right before serving to keep the shells crisp and the bacon crunchy.

Are these bites gluten-free?

Unfortunately, traditional mini fillo shells contain gluten. If gluten-free is a must, you might try stuffing cucumber cups or using gluten-free mini tart shells instead.

Final Thoughts

This Bacon Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe is one of those gems I keep coming back to because it delivers simple, crave-worthy flavor every time. Whether you’re hosting friends or just treating yourself, these little bites bring together textures and flavors that feel like a party in your mouth. Try them out and you’ll see why I keep recommending it—it’s an easy crowd-pleaser that feels special without any fuss.