Get ready to discover your new favorite party appetizer with these incredible Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites. This recipe is the perfect blend of flavors—creamy, tangy cream cheese, sweet dried cranberries, and a surprising little kick of jalapeño, all bundled up in a warm, buttery, and flaky crescent roll. These Crescent Roll Appetizers are ridiculously easy to make using a can of crescent dough, making them the perfect stress-free snack for any holiday gathering, from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
Table of Contents
Why This is the Perfect Party Appetizer
This recipe is a guaranteed hit for any occasion. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Incredibly Easy: Using a can of refrigerated crescent roll dough is the ultimate shortcut, making this an impressive appetizer that anyone can make.
- A Perfect Flavor Combination: The sweet, savory, and spicy combination is perfectly balanced and absolutely addictive.
- Bite-Sized and Crowd-Friendly: These little bundles are the perfect finger food for a party, and the recipe can be easily doubled to feed a crowd.
- Quick to Make: From start to finish, you can have these warm, cheesy bites ready in under 30 minutes.
Your Simple Ingredient Checklist
This recipe uses a handful of simple ingredients to create a spectacular appetizer.
The Ingredient Lineup:
- 1 can (8 ounces) of refrigerated crescent roll dough (a dough sheet is great, but regular rolls work too)
- 4 ounces of cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons of chopped dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh chives
- 1 teaspoon of finely diced and seeded jalapeño
- Melted butter for brushing (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Get ready to create the easiest, most delicious holiday appetizer ever.
Part 1: Prepare the Filling and Dough
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, chopped dried cranberries, chopped chives, and the finely diced jalapeño. Mix until everything is well combined.
- Prepare the Dough: Unroll the crescent dough sheet onto a lightly floured work surface. If you are using regular crescent rolls, gently press the perforations together to seal them and form one large rectangle.
- Cut into Squares: Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, cut the dough into 24 even squares (6 rows by 4 rows).
Part 2: Fill, Shape, and Bake
- Fill the Squares: Place about 1 teaspoon of the cranberry cream cheese mixture into the center of each dough square.
- Shape the Bites: Bring the four corners of each square up to meet in the center, overlapping them slightly. Gently twist and pinch the seams to seal the filling inside, leaving small gaps between the seams for a decorative look.
- Bake: Place the prepared bites on your lined baking sheet. Bake for 11-13 minutes, or until they are puffed up and a beautiful golden brown.
- Serve: For an extra touch, you can brush the tops of the hot crescent bites with a little melted butter. Serve warm and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I make these bites ahead of time? Yes, this is a great make-ahead appetizer! You can assemble the bites completely, place them on the baking sheet, cover them with plastic wrap, and refrigerate them for up to one hour before baking. You may need to add an extra minute or two to the baking time since they will be starting from cold.
2. Are these appetizers very spicy? No, the single teaspoon of seeded jalapeño provides a very mild, background warmth that balances the sweetness of the cranberries. It is not overwhelmingly spicy. If you love heat, you can increase the amount of jalapeño. If you want to make them completely mild and kid-friendly, you can simply omit the jalapeño.
3. Can I use a different kind of filling? Absolutely! This is a very versatile recipe. For a sweeter version, you could use a simple cream cheese and fruit jam filling. For another savory twist, you could use a boursin or other herbed cheese.
4. How do I store and reheat leftovers? Store any leftover crescent bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat and bring back their crispy texture, it’s best to warm them in a 350°F oven or a toaster oven for about 5-7 minutes.
Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites
Equipment
- Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- Mixing bowl for filling
- Pizza cutter or knife to cut dough into squares
Ingredients
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough (sheet or regular rolls)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 tbsp dried cranberries, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- 1 tsp jalapeño, finely diced and seeded
- Melted butter, for brushing (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, chopped cranberries, chives, and jalapeño until smooth.
- Unroll crescent dough onto a lightly floured surface. If using perforated rolls, press seams together. Cut into 24 squares.
- Place 1 tsp of filling into the center of each square. Bring corners together, twist and pinch to seal, leaving small decorative gaps.
- Arrange bites on baking sheet. Bake 11–13 minutes, until puffed and golden. Brush with melted butter if desired.
- Serve warm and enjoy!