Crispy Pimento Cheese Bites: A Crunchy Delight for Every Cheese Lover

Why You’ll Love This Crispy Pimento Cheese Bites Recipe

If you’re a cheese lover, then you are in for a treat with these Crispy Pimento Cheese Bites! These crispy, flavorful delights offer the best of both worlds: the rich, creamy taste of sharp cheddar and the irresistible crunch of golden-brown perfection. Made with simple ingredients like cheddar cheese, pimentos, and smoked paprika, these bites bring a Southern-inspired twist to your snack game. Whether you’re hosting a party, having friends over for a gathering, or just craving a savory treat, these bites are sure to be a hit. With a delicate balance of flavors, textures, and just the right amount of spice, these pimento cheese crisps are both addictively delicious and easy to make. So, let’s dive into how to make this snack that will leave everyone asking for the recipe!

What You’ll Need

For this recipe, you’ll need a few simple ingredients that work together to make these cheesy bites crispy and packed with flavor. Here’s everything you’ll need:

• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 jar (4 ounces) diced pimentos, rinsed and drained
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) cold butter, grated
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• Dash of cayenne pepper
• Generous pinch of salt
• Few grinds of black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Pimentos: Start by draining and rinsing the diced pimentos to remove any excess moisture. Lay them on a paper towel and gently pat them dry. Let them sit out for 10-15 minutes to air dry. This is an important step because the drier the pimentos are, the crispier your pimento cheese crisps will turn out.
2. Grate the Cheese and Butter: Using a food processor, combine the grated sharp cheddar cheese and cold butter. Pulse until the mixture forms a smooth, creamy base. The cold butter is essential here because it will help bind the dough and give your crisps the perfect texture when baked.
3. Mix the Dry Ingredients: Once the cheese and butter are combined, switch to the metal blade of the food processor and add the all-purpose flour, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, sweet paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Pulse the mixture until the dough starts to come together and appears moist and grainy. You want the dough to hold together but still have a little texture. This will give your crisps their crunch.
4. Incorporate the Pecans: Now, stir in the chopped pecans. Pulse a few times until the pecans are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Pecans not only add a wonderful crunch but also a rich, nutty flavor that complements the sharp cheddar.
5. Add the Pimentos: Gently fold in the dried pimentos. Pulse the food processor a few times, just enough to mix them into the dough without overmixing. Be careful not to overwork the dough to ensure the pimentos stay intact.
6. Form the Dough into Logs: Once everything is mixed together, transfer the dough to a sheet of waxed paper. Knead it gently a few times to bring it together. Divide the dough into two equal portions and roll each portion into a log. Press firmly to make the logs compact. Twist the ends of the waxed paper to secure them, just like you would wrap candy.
7. Chill the Dough: Place the dough logs in the refrigerator for at least one hour to firm up. If you’re in a hurry, 30 minutes may work, but for best results, chilling them for one hour ensures the dough will hold its shape when you slice it. You can also freeze the dough for up to three months if you want to prepare ahead of time.
8. Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the crisps don’t stick and bake evenly.
9. Slice the Dough: Take the dough logs out of the refrigerator and slice them into 1/4-inch thick wafers. Arrange the slices on the prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each slice to allow for spreading during baking. The slices will spread slightly, so be sure to give them enough room.
10. Bake the Crisps: Bake the pimento cheese bites in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until they are golden brown around the edges and firm to the touch. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t burn. The smell of cheese and pecans filling your kitchen is the best sign that they are nearing perfection!
11. Cool and Serve: Once they are done baking, remove the crisps from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. This cooling time helps them firm up and crispen. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for later.

Tips for Success

• Use Cold Butter: The butter should be cold when combined with the cheese. This ensures a nice crumbly texture and helps the dough hold together when sliced.
• Don’t Skip the Drying Step: Drying the pimentos properly before adding them to the dough is key to achieving the desired crunch. Any excess moisture could cause the crisps to be soggy.
• Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough logs helps them firm up, making it easier to slice and ensuring that the crisps retain their shape while baking.
• Even Slices: Slice the dough into even pieces to ensure that all of your pimento cheese bites bake uniformly. If you don’t have a sharp knife, a serrated knife works well for clean cuts.

Variations to Try

• Add Jalapeños: If you love a little heat, try adding finely chopped jalapeños or another spicy pepper to the dough. This will create a spicy twist to the already flavorful pimento cheese.
• Switch Up the Cheese: While sharp cheddar is the traditional choice for pimento cheese, you can experiment with other cheeses like Monterey Jack, Gruyère, or a blend of your favorites for a more complex flavor.
• Herb Infused: For an extra layer of flavor, mix in some fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil into the dough. These herbs will give your bites a fresh and aromatic kick.
• Bacon Bits: Add crispy, crumbled bacon for a smoky, savory addition that pairs wonderfully with the cheese and pecans.

Storing and Reheating

If you have any leftover pimento cheese bites (though it’s hard to believe that will happen!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They’ll stay crunchy and flavorful. You can also freeze the dough logs before baking for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, just slice and bake as usual. To reheat baked crisps, place them on a baking sheet and warm them in the oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes to restore some of their crispiness.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes! You can make the dough, shape it into logs, and freeze it for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, just thaw it for 10-15 minutes, slice, and bake.
• Can I use pre-shredded cheese? For the best texture, we recommend grating the cheese yourself. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect the texture of the dough.
• Can I make these without pecans? Yes, if you’re not a fan of pecans or have an allergy, you can skip them entirely or substitute with another nut like walnuts or almonds, or even use sunflower seeds for a nut-free version.
• Can I serve these with a dip? Absolutely! These pimento cheese bites are delicious on their own, but they pair wonderfully with a creamy ranch dip, spicy ketchup, or even a tangy mustard dip.

The Final Word

These Crispy Pimento Cheese Bites are an absolute treat for anyone who loves a crunchy, cheesy snack. With their perfectly balanced combination of sharp cheddar, toasted pecans, and the unmistakable flavor of pimentos, they’re the ideal choice for your next get-together. Whether you’re serving them at a party, a family gathering, or simply enjoying them with friends, these bites are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Quick to prepare and irresistibly delicious, they’re bound to become a regular on your snack menu! So, gather your ingredients, get ready to bake, and enjoy these savory delights that are bound to leave everyone asking for more!

Crispy Pimento Cheese Bites 🧀🥨

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Ingredients

  

• – 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• – 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• – 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• – 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• – 1 jar 4 ounces diced pimentos, rinsed and drained
• – 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese grated
• – 1 stick 1/2 cup cold butter, grated
• – 1 cup all-purpose flour
• – Dash of cayenne pepper
• – Generous pinch of salt
• – Few grinds of black pepper
• – 1 teaspoon sweet paprika

Instructions

 

• Start by laying the rinsed and drained pimentos on paper towels. Pat them dry and let them air dry for 10-15 minutes. This step enhances the crisp texture.
• Using a food processor, combine the grated sharp cheddar and cold butter until they form a smooth mixture. This will be the base of your dough.
• Change to the metal blade in the processor and add the all-purpose flour, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, smoked paprika, sweet paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Process until the dough starts to come together—it should be moist and grainy.
• Stir in the chopped pecans and process until the dough pulls away from the sides and forms a ball. Gently fold in the pimentos by pulsing until they are evenly distributed without overmixing.
• Transfer the dough to a sheet of waxed paper, making sure all pimento pieces are incorporated. Knead it a few times, then divide the mixture into two portions. Roll each portion into a log on the waxed paper, pressing firmly. Twist the ends of the paper to secure the rolls, similar to wrapping candy.
• Place the logs in the refrigerator for at least one hour to firm up. You can also chill them for up to two days or freeze for up to three months if you want to prepare in advance.
• When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Remove the logs from the fridge and slice them into 1/4-inch thick wafers. Arrange the slices on the prepared baking sheets with some space between each to allow for spreading.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until they turn golden around the edges and feel firm on top. Let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

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