Jalapeno Cheese Bites
Jalapeno Cheese Bites are a delicious combination of light, fluffy baked eggs nestled with creamy cheese and hints of pimentos and pickled jalapeno. Native to The Lone Star State, this crustless quiche is often known as “Mexican Cheese Fudge” or “Texas Fudge,” and is typically served as a bite-sized appetizer or as a brunch casserole. The delicious combination of flavors will have your taste buds doing the Texas -Two Step!
This Tex-Mex cheese appetizer recipe has been around the Texas party scene (in some form or fashion) forever, and it’s maintained its status as an awesome holiday appetizer because it serves a crowd (the recipe makes about 20-24 bite-sized pieces) and is perfect for breakfast, brunch or a high protein snack.
Ingredients
Make this Tex-Mex Jalapeno egg bake with just a few simple ingredients:
- Shredded cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese – buy blocks of cheese – not pre-shredded (see Recipe Tips below)
- Eggs – you’ll need 9 large eggs, lightly beaten
- Butter – about a tablespoon; just enough to grease the baking pan
- Pimentos – diced and drained; you can substitute with roasted red peppers if you prefer.
- Pickled jalapenos – drained and chopped
- Garlic powder-just a pinch
- Salt to taste
How to make Jalapeno Cheese bites
This dish doesn’t take long to make and you can make it in advance if you need to clear up some of that precious kitchen space during the holidays! Here’s an overview of how to make it. For exact ingredient measurements, see the recipe card below. Oh, and by the way…these make a great Christmas morning brunch with some sausage balls and a Brioche French toast casserole.
- Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish with butter; preheat oven to 325ºF
- In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded cheeses, diced jalapenos and pimentos
- Spoon mixture into a lightly buttered baking dish
- Drizzle the lightly beaten eggs over the cheese mixture and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes
- The Jalapeno egg bake is done when the eggs reach an internal temperature of 160-165°F
- Allow the baked eggs to sit at room temperature for a few minutes; for best results, slice into 1″or 2″ inch squares with a serrated knife
Recipe Tips
- Buy block cheese and grate it yourself; packaged shredded cheese has an anti-coagulant powder coating that doesn’t melt as well as block cheese
- Let the jalapeno cheese casserole cool before you slice it; for best results, use a serrated knife
- Add the garlic powder and salt to the lightly beaten eggs; this ensures those seasonings are distributed evenly
Serving suggestions
You can certainly serve this Mexican baked egg dish as a casserole if you prefer! It makes a great brunch dish, especially when paired with a spicy Bloody Mary or a Michelada. This recipe works great as a side dish, too! Pair it with your favorite
Make ahead, storage and reheating
Make these jalapeno Texas cheese bites up to one week in advance. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container. When you’re ready to reheat, either place in 200ºF oven uncovered or microwave for just a few seconds.
Freezing is not recommended because the texture of the eggs changes.
Variations
This Jalapeno egg recipe has a Mexican flair to it with the jalapenos; you could substitue the peppers with diced green chiles or green bell peppers if you prefer.
If you wanted to do an Italian spin on this recipe, substitute the cheese with a creamy fontina and parmesan; add small diced tomato in lieu of the pimentos; add Italian seasonings to the eggs and bake as indicated.
Want a plain, yet flavorful version? Add finely diced onion and bell pepper to the Cheddar and Monterey Jack; season with a little salt and pepper and you’re done!
Be creative with your Jalapeno cheese bites! Serve at breakfast or brunch with a Bloody Mary and some spinach balls, Eggs Benedict and potatoes O’Brien!
Related recipes
- Spinach Balls
- Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
- Classic Cheese Fondue
- Hickory Smoked Almond Stuffed Dates
- Cheddar Cheese Wafers
- Jalapeno Creamed Spinach
If you make this recipe, please scroll down and leave a comment and rating! I love to hear from you!
Jalapeno Cheese Bites
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 9 large lightly beaten eggs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chopped pickled jalapenos , drained
- ¼ cup chopped pimentos , drained
- 1 tablespoon butter to butter baking dish
Instructions
- Shred cheese; set aside; butter baking dish, drain and finely chop jalapenos and pimentos and set aside. Lightly beat eggs; add garlic powder and salt to eggs and set aside2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar Cheese, 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, 9 large lightly beaten eggs, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ⅛ teaspoon salt, ½ cup chopped pickled jalapenos, ¼ cup chopped pimentos, 1 tablespoon butter
- Combine cheeses, jalapenos and pimentos; place in baking dish
- Drizzle lightly beaten eggs over cheese mixture evenly
- Bake uncovered @ 325ºF for 25-35 minutes, until center comes clean with a toothpick and the top is slightly firm
- Allow to cool before slicing into bite size pieces
Very yummy. Can it be frozen? TIA.
Yes!