Mini Phyllo Cup Bites: Pimento Cheese & Bacon, Brie & Fruit Jam

I'm well aware that a large part of the NFL fanbase includes girls and women, but I'm just not one of them. My kind of gals watch the Superbowl for an excuse snack all night on bad-but-so-good-for-you food. I'm not even that into the commercials anymore, really -- just the food.

Regardless of what reason you watch or don't watch the 'Bowl, these Pimento Cheese Bites are the perfect easy appetizer to make for your guests or to bring to a party.

You can use store bought pimento cheese (Libbie Market has the best) or make your own. I went the super simple route and bought pimento cheese with jalapeño peppers. I then mixed it with crumbled bacon fried earlier in the day, stuffed the mixture into these darling little phyllo cups until they were about to burst, and popped them in the oven for 10 minutes at 350 F.

Taking these pictures was torrrrture. I couldn't wait to eat them! And neither will your guests. So definitely make a hundred (or two)!

Ohh, and one more minor detail. For your classier events, they are a-ma-zing with a hunk of melted Brie and a dollop of some fruit jam (think strawberry, fig, apricot).

Absolutely zero health benefits equals good football food!

PS - here are more Bevy appetizers for the big game!

Chunky Guacamole - What kind of party would it be without classic guac?
Cucumber Salsa - A healthy dip to combat all the cheese-eating.
Baked Goat Cheese with Honey - Okay, more cheese - but trust me, this is one of the more simple yet fabulous appetizers you can make.
Gouda Puff Pastry Twist - Puff the magic...pastry. Gouda cheese and spicy mustard baked in pillowy braided dough until melty.

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Mini Pimento Cheese Bacon Bites

• 1 cup Pimento cheese, homemade or store-bought
• 2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• Frozen mini phyllo cups, 15 count
• Green onions, sliced, for garnish

1. In a small bowl, combine pimento cheese with bacon. 

2. Remove the phyllo cups from the freezer and fill with about 1 tablespoon of the pimento cheese.

3. Place the cups on a large baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until the cheese mixture has melted.

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Mini Brie Bites

• 1 wheel of creamy Brie cheese
• Honey 
• 2-3 tablespoons fruit jam 
• Frozen mini phyllo cups, 15 count

1. Slice Brie cheese into 1/2 inch chunks. 

2. Remove the phyllo cups from the freezer and fill with the Brie cheese. Top the cups with fruit jam or spread of your choice. Squeeze one or two drops of honey on top of the jam/cheese mixture.

3. Place the cups on a large baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until the cheese and jam mixture has melted.