Description
Delightful pimento cheese bites showcase Southern culinary charm with crispy edges and creamy centers. Sharp cheddar and zesty peppers create an irresistible appetizer you’ll crave at gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2.5 cups (300 grams) sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
- ¼ cup (60 mL) olive oil
- 1.5 cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 4-oz (113 grams) jar diced pimentos
- 1 tsp ground mustard
- ½ tsp chili flakes
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat: Position oven rack at 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for seamless release.
- Prepare Pimentos: Thoroughly drain and finely mince pimentos, ensuring uniform texture and distribution.
- Create Flavor Base: Combine flour, ground mustard, and chili flakes in a mixing bowl, then fold in pimentos until evenly coated.
- Develop Dough: Integrate shredded sharp cheddar, olive oil, and salt into the flour mixture, kneading gently until ingredients form a cohesive dough.
- Shape Bites: Flour a work surface, divide dough into two portions, and roll each to ¼-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using a cookie cutter, spacing pieces one inch apart on prepared sheets.
- Bake: Position trays in preheated oven and bake for 17 minutes, watching for a golden-brown, crisp finish.
- Cool and Store: Transfer bites to a wire rack, allowing them to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container to preserve their delicate crunch.
Notes
- Perfectly Drain Pimentos: Remove excess moisture completely to prevent soggy bites and ensure crisp texture.
- Precise Cheese Shredding: Use freshly shredded sharp cheddar for maximum flavor intensity and smoother blending.
- Gentle Dough Handling: Avoid overworking the dough to maintain a tender, delicate bite that crumbles delightfully.
- Strategic Cooling Process: Let bites cool entirely on wire rack to lock in crispness and prevent moisture buildup.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 17
- Calories: 133
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 163 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 12 mg