Parmesan Bites Appetizer
Even though I don’t use my appetizer recipes very often, it sure is helpful to have a few dependable appetizer ideas for when those type of parties roll around. These little appetizers that I call parmesan bites are easy to make, always disappear fast when I bring them, and people tell me how tasty they were. They use the pre-made crescent roll dough with a simple filling of cream cheese, parmesan, red pepper and chopped fresh parsley.
These parmesan bites appetizer were part of a Christmas series of all smaller-sized items to make. You can all check out my mini Christmas trees from candies, a cute little mini sized stocking to knit, a tiny pom-pom hat ornament (no knitting needed!), and a single-serve version of my hot chocolate mix to layer in a mini canning jar, because you know . . .
it’s not Christmas until I start layering things in jars. 🙂 (See also Layered Blondie Mix and Layered Peppermint Hot Cocoa).
Assembling the Parmesan Bites Appetizers
These appetizers begin with the shortcut of using a couple of the tubes of refrigerated crescent rolls. Each package of crescent rolls is separated into four rectangles (pressing the diagonal perforated seam together a bit to form the rectangle).
Next you mix together a block of cream cheese and some pre-grated parmesan. This mixture is spread onto the rectangles which you then top with some chopped red pepper and chopped fresh parsley. You then bring each long end of the rectangle up toward the middle, folding it over the goodies inside, and creating a “log” of sorts.
Each of these logs is then cut into four or five pieces, depending on how big you want your appetizers.
To bake the appetizers, you put each piece (seam side down) on a baking sheet, give them one more little sprinkling of parmesan, and pop them in the oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
All of this can be done ahead of time too! I often get my parmesan bites all assembled and placed on the baking sheets, and then I put the baking sheets in the refrigerator until later. Then when it’s time for the company to arrive, I can just pop them in the oven. Another nice way to have a little shortcut!
Parmesan Bites Appetizer
Ingredients:
- 2 tubes refrigerated crescent roll dough (8 oz)
- 8 oz cream cheese – softened
- 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (plus a little more for sprinkling)
- 1 cup chopped red pepper
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions:
- Separate the two tubes of crescent rolls into 8 rectangles. Press the diagonal perforations to seal.
- Mix the cream cheese and the parmesan together using an electric mixer until well blended.
- Spread some of the cream cheese mixture on each rectangle, dividing the mixture evenly among the 8 rectangles. Top with the chopped red pepper and parsley.
- Then fold up each long end of the rectangle toward the middle, enclosing the filling and creating a “log”. Cut each log into four or five smaller pieces.
- Place each piece, seam side down, on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with a little bit more grated parmesan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 13 to 15 minutes.
