Chili-Cheese Bites
Creamy, spicy chili-cheese bites with a crunchy cracker crust, perfect for parties and gatherings, offering bold flavors of cheddar, green chilies, and seasonings in bite-sized form.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups fine saltine cracker crumbs ⓘ
- 6 tablespoons margarine, melted ⓘ
- 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon taco seasoning ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 3 eggs ⓘ
- 1 (4 oz) can chopped green chilies ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Bring cheeses to room temperature.
- Combine cracker crumbs and melted margarine in an 8-inch square pan.
- Press the mixture onto the bottom and up the sides of the pan to form a crust.
- Bake for 10 minutes and set aside.
- Reduce oven temperature to 250°F (120°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, blend the cheeses at medium speed.
- Add cayenne pepper and garlic.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition.
- Fold in chopped green chilies and chopped onion.
- Pour the cheese mixture into the prepared crust.
- Bake for 1 hour until set.
- Cool and cut into 1-inch squares.
- Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.
Tips & Substitutions
For a spicier kick, consider adding more cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese mixture. If you don't have taco seasoning, a blend of cumin, paprika, and chili powder can work well. For a creamier texture, try using full-fat cream cheese instead of reduced-fat. These Chili-Cheese Bites can also be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until ready to bake.
Serving Suggestions
These bites are perfect as appetizers for a game day gathering or a casual get-together. They pair beautifully with a fresh salsa or guacamole on the side. For a complete meal, serve them alongside a salad or with sides like Calico Corn. Enjoy them warm or at room temperature for the best flavor.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover Chili-Cheese Bites should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. You can also microwave them for about 30 seconds, but this may affect their texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chili-Cheese Bites contains roughly 1066 calories, with 16g protein, 155g carbohydrates, and 44g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (63% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (41% of the Daily Value), and iron (41% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze these Chili-Cheese Bites?
Yes, you can freeze the unbaked crust and the cheese mixture separately. Assemble them when you're ready to bake, but allow extra time for baking if frozen. Alternatively, you can freeze the baked bites and reheat them as needed for a quick snack.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).