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Home » Appetizer

Published: Dec 19, 2020 · Modified: Oct 13, 2021 by Kathy

Cranberry Jalapeno Bites

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A plate filled with bite sized shells filled with cream cheese and cranberries.

Cranberry Jalapeno Bites - Bite sized appetizer with a bit of tart from the cranberries and a touch of heat from the jalapenos.

These are a tasty appetizer perfect for serving during the holiday season!

Puff pastry filled with cream cheese, cranberries and jalapenos.

Why make these appetizers

The holidays seems like a perfect time to showcase all kinds of appetizers. They get served at parties, family gatherings, or when getting together with a few friends. These cranberry bites are perfect for any occasion.

The cream cheese, cranberries and jalapenos are a delicious combination. Of course, I do love jalapenos and cheese - remember these jalapeno poppers and this popper dip? The added cranberries are a fun addition.

Easy to make

  • Combine softened cream cheese with sliced cranberries and chopped jalapenos
  • Roll out puff pastry and cut into small squares
  • Line a mini muffin tin with the cut squares
  • Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 10 minutes
  • Remove from oven and allow shells to cool slightly in pan. Push down center of puff pastry shells to allow room for the filling
  • Add a spoonful of prepared cream cheese mixture to each shell
  • Bake for an additional 15 minutes
  • A mini muffin tin lined with puff pastry squares.
  • A mini muffin tin filled with puff pastry shells and a cream cheese mixture with cranberries and jalapenos.

I used my homemade puff pastry, but you could also used purchased puff pastry. Just roll out the puff pastry, cut into two inch squares and put into a mini muffin tin.

You can make these cranberry jalapeno bites a few hours ahead of time and serve at room temperature. They are also delicious eaten straight out of the oven.

A white plate filled with bite sized puff pastry shells filled with a cream cheese mixture.

Tips for making

  • For spicier bites, add a whole jalapeno
  • For milder bites, add just a bit of the jalapeno
  • Use fresh cranberries. Sliced adds a nice presentation, but you could chop them too.
  • Serve while still warm or at room temperature
  • These are best eaten the same day they are made
Three puff pastry cups filled with cranberries and cream cheese on a white plate.

More delicious holiday appetizers

  • Coconut Shrimp
  • Cocktail Meatballs
  • Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
  • Puff Pastry Cheese Straws
  • Baked Brie with Cranberries

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

If you loved this recipe you'll LOVE all the others in this category. Check out all my appetizers here!

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Puff pastry filled with cream cheese, cranberries and jalapenos.

Cranberry Jalapeno Bites

Kathy Berget
Tart and spicy appetizer with cranberries and jalapenos
5 from 11 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 50 minutes mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 35 Appetizer Bites
Calories 50 kcal

Equipment

  • Mini Muffin Tin
  • Rolling Pin
  • Pizza Cutter
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
  

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
  • ½ cup cranberries (sliced)
  • ½ jalapeno (seeded and finely diced)

Instructions
 

  • Roll puff pastry slightly.
    1 sheet puff pastry
  • Cut pastry into two inch squares.
  • Place each square into a mini muffin tin. Push dough down so it lines the tin. 
    A mini muffin tin lined with puff pastry squares.
  • Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 10 minutes.
  • Remove from oven. Poke down center of each pastry cup so the dough deflates. Return to oven for an additional 5 minutes.
  • While pastry is baking, place cream cheese in a bowl. Mix until smooth. Stir in cranberries and jalapenos.
    4 oz cream cheese, ½ cup cranberries, ½ jalapeno
  • Remove pastry cups from the oven. Place 1-2 teaspoons of filling in each cup. 
    A mini muffin tin filled with puff pastry shells and a cream cheese mixture with cranberries and jalapenos.
  • Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees.  Bake filled cups for 15 minutes. 
  • Let cool for at least 10 minutes before removing from muffin tin.
  • Serve warm or at room temperature. 

Notes

  • For spicier bites, add a whole jalapeno
  • For milder bites, add just a bit of the jalapeno
  • Use fresh cranberries. Sliced adds a nice presentation, but you could chop them too.
  • Serve while still warm or at room temperature
  • These are best eaten the same day they are made

Nutritional Disclaimer:

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1PieceCalories: 50kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 28mgPotassium: 10mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 46IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Valentina says

    December 21, 2020 at 3:40 pm

    Just pinned to my "Party Food" board. These are such fun and festive, delicious bites! Love the flavor combination so much. 🙂 ~Valentina

    Reply
  2. David @ Spiced says

    December 21, 2020 at 5:54 am

    5 stars
    I totally remember you posting these before - and they still sound just as delicious to me! I actually just grabbed a couple bags of cranberries at the store while they are still in stock. (Cranberries can be near impossible to find out of season!) I think some of them might need to be used for these bites - I bet they go well with a cocktail! 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 21, 2020 at 6:09 am

      Perfect for nibbling on with a cocktail! 🙂 Cheers

      Reply
  3. Fred G says

    December 06, 2018 at 6:26 am

    5 stars
    Interesting combo of ingredients

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      December 19, 2020 at 7:38 am

      The cranberries and jalapenos are a delicious combination!

      Reply
  4. Alix @A Hedgehog in the Kitchen says

    November 15, 2017 at 7:21 am

    5 stars
    We absolutely LOVE puff pastry too! These look delicious - and perfect for Thanksgiving!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      November 15, 2017 at 6:54 pm

      Puff pastry is kind of a magic ingredient! It is so versatile!

      Reply
  5. Leanne | Crumb Top Baking says

    November 15, 2017 at 2:10 am

    Puff pastry always makes such a great appetizer! I'm loving this jalopeno and cranberry combo. Saving this one to make over the holidays for sure!

    Reply
  6. CakePants says

    November 14, 2017 at 9:21 pm

    What an intriguing flavor combination! I've never tried cranberries and jalapenos together, but these bites look and sound wonderful! I love their simplicity.

    Reply
  7. annie@ciaochowbambina says

    November 14, 2017 at 10:37 am

    This will be a big hit in our house! Anything with puff pastry gets my vote!

    Reply
  8. Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says

    November 14, 2017 at 6:03 am

    What a great appetizer and I looove puff pastry!! And those flavors together are spot on! Yum! Take care.

    Reply
  9. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    November 13, 2017 at 6:18 am

    5 stars
    Another great use of that puff pastry, Kathy! Love how festive they look with red and green components. Plus, I'm a big fan of sweet/spicy combos. Perfect for the holidays 🙂

    Reply
  10. Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says

    November 13, 2017 at 5:59 am

    5 stars
    These bites are just perfect for the holidays, Kathy!! I love jalapeno anything and puff pastry makes my heart go pitter patter, so these are screaming my name! So yum! Cheers!

    Reply
  11. David @ Spiced says

    November 13, 2017 at 5:45 am

    These sound like the perfect holiday appetizer, Kathy! Almost like a jalapeno popper with a cranberry twist. I could totally see serving these up on Thanksgiving before the big meal...or honestly anytime during the holidays. I love holiday appetizer parties, and I'm definitely going to keep these in mind! Hope you have a great week ahead, my friend!

    Reply
5 from 11 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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I'm Kathy, and I love to create delicious recipes from scratch utilizing many ingredients that we grow and raise. I'm a recipe creator, food photographer, and cookbook author!

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