Description
Smokey Almond Cream Cheese Endive Bites are a simple, elegant appetizer featuring crisp Belgian endive leaves topped with creamy softened cream cheese, sweet and spicy red pepper jelly, and crunchy smoked almonds for a delightful combination of textures and flavors. Perfect as a make-ahead party snack or light bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 head Belgian endive
- 4-5 tablespoons cream cheese (softened)
- 4-5 tablespoons red pepper jelly
- 1/3 cup Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds (chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare the Endive: Chop off the end of the Belgian endive and carefully separate all the leaves, rinsing if necessary and patting them dry.
- Apply Cream Cheese: Smear a bit of softened cream cheese on each endive leaf, creating a creamy base for the toppings.
- Add Red Pepper Jelly: Spoon a small amount of red pepper jelly on top of the cream cheese layer on each leaf to add sweetness and a touch of spice.
- Top with Almonds: Sprinkle the chopped smokehouse almonds over the jelly-topped leaves to add a smoky crunch.
- Serve or Store: Serve immediately for maximum almond crunchiness, or assemble a few hours ahead and refrigerate or leave at room temperature. Wait to add the almonds just before serving if preparing in advance to preserve their crispness.
Notes
- These bites can be made several hours in advance. Store assembled endive with cream cheese and jelly in the fridge or at room temperature.
- Add the chopped almonds last minute to keep them crunchy.
- Use smoked almonds for a subtle smoky flavor, but regular almonds can be substituted if preferred.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese with a vegan spread.
