These Easy Pepper Jelly Sausage Breakfast Bites are the perfect sweet-and-savory grab-and-go treat. Juicy breakfast sausage, melty cheddar, and tangy pepper jelly are wrapped in buttery crescent dough and baked until golden. They’re simple to throw together, big on flavor, and ideal for busy mornings, brunch spreads, and holiday breakfasts.
Ingredients
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup pepper jelly
- 1 package (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Make the filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the breakfast sausage, shredded cheddar cheese, softened cream cheese, pepper jelly, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix thoroughly until everything is evenly combined and no large pockets of cheese or jelly remain.
- Prep the dough: Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into individual triangles along the perforations.
- Fill and roll: Place a spoonful of the sausage mixture at the wide end of each crescent triangle. Starting at the wide end, roll the dough toward the point, enclosing the filling as much as possible. Tuck in any exposed filling to help prevent leaks while baking.
- Arrange on baking sheet: Place the filled rolls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow for expansion.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until the crescent rolls are golden brown and the sausage is cooked through. If needed, cut into one bite to check that the sausage is no longer pink.
- Cool and garnish: Remove from the oven and let the bites cool slightly on the baking sheet. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Variation
- Spicy Jalapeño Sausage Bites: Use hot breakfast sausage and a spicy jalapeño pepper jelly. Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the filling for extra kick.
- Maple Bacon Breakfast Bites: Replace half of the sausage with cooked, crumbled bacon and stir 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup into the mixture. Use plain or mild pepper jelly for a sweet-and-smoky twist.
- Cheesy Veggie Breakfast Bites: Add 1/4 cup finely diced bell peppers and 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions to the filling. Use a milder pepper jelly and extra cheddar for a more kid-friendly option.
Cooking Notes
- If your sausage mixture seems very loose, chill it for 15–20 minutes before filling the crescents to make rolling easier and neater.
- Baking time can vary depending on the size of your bites and your oven; check at 15 minutes and continue baking until both the sausage and dough are fully cooked.
- For convection ovens, you may want to reduce the temperature to 350°F (177°C) and start checking for doneness a few minutes earlier.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm for breakfast or brunch alongside scrambled eggs and fresh fruit for a complete meal.
- Turn them into a party appetizer by plating with toothpicks and a small bowl of extra pepper jelly or hot honey for dipping.
- Pair with coffee, spiced tea, or a brunch cocktail like mimosas or Bloody Marys for a fun weekend spread.
Tips
- Don’t overfill the crescent dough too much filling can cause leaks and uneven cooking. A generous spoonful per triangle is plenty.
- For easy cleanup, make sure to line your baking sheet with parchment paper; any melted cheese or jelly will peel off easily.
- Let the bites rest for 5 minutes after baking; this allows the filling to set slightly so it doesn’t ooze out when you bite into them.
Prep Time:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: Approx. 320 kcal
- Protein: Approx. 11 g
- Sodium: Approx. 520 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. Can I make these ahead of time?
– Yes. You can assemble the bites, place them on a baking sheet, and refrigerate for up to 12 hours before baking. When ready to cook, bake straight from the fridge, adding a couple of extra minutes to the bake time if needed. - 2. Can I freeze the breakfast bites?
– Absolutely. Bake them as directed, let them cool completely, then freeze in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag or container. Reheat from frozen in a 350°F (177°C) oven for 10–15 minutes, or until warmed through. - 3. Can I use a different type of sausage?
– Yes. Mild or hot Italian sausage, chicken sausage, or turkey sausage all work well—just remove any casings and use the same method. Flavor will vary slightly depending on the sausage type. - 4. How do I keep them warm for a brunch or party?
– After baking, you can transfer the bites to a warm slow cooker set on “Warm” or keep them on a baking sheet in a 200°F (93°C) oven for up to 30–40 minutes. Cover loosely with foil to prevent drying out.
Conclusion
These Easy Pepper Jelly Sausage Breakfast Bites deliver everything you want in a morning (or anytime) bite savory sausage, creamy cheese, and a pop of sweet heat wrapped in flaky crescent dough. With just a few pantry staples and 30 minutes, you’ll have a crowd-pleasing, make-ahead-friendly breakfast or brunch option that disappears fast from any table.
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Easy Pepper Jelly Sausage Breakfast Bites
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings (about 24 bites, depending on size) 1x
- Diet: Contains pork and dairy
Description
These Easy Pepper Jelly Sausage Breakfast Bites are the perfect sweet-and-savory grab-and-go treat. Juicy breakfast sausage, melty cheddar, and tangy pepper jelly are wrapped in buttery crescent dough and baked until golden. They’re simple to throw together, big on flavor, and ideal for busy mornings, brunch spreads, and holiday breakfasts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup pepper jelly
- 1 package (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Make the filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the breakfast sausage, shredded cheddar cheese, softened cream cheese, pepper jelly, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix thoroughly until everything is evenly combined and no large pockets of cheese or jelly remain.
- Prep the dough: Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into individual triangles along the perforations.
- Fill and roll: Place a spoonful of the sausage mixture at the wide end of each crescent triangle. Starting at the wide end, roll the dough toward the point, enclosing the filling as much as possible. Tuck in any exposed filling to help prevent leaks while baking.
- Arrange on baking sheet: Place the filled rolls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow for expansion.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until the crescent rolls are golden brown and the sausage is cooked through. If needed, cut into one bite to check that the sausage is no longer pink.
- Cool and garnish: Remove from the oven and let the bites cool slightly on the baking sheet. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use regular (not cooked) breakfast sausage; it will cook inside the crescent dough as the bites bake.
- Soften the cream cheese fully so it blends smoothly into the sausage mixture without lumps.
- Different brands of pepper jelly vary in sweetness and heat—adjust the amount to your taste or add a pinch of red pepper flakes for more spice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Appetizer
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 2 bites)
- Calories: Approx. 320 kcal
- Sugar: Approx. 8 g
- Sodium: Approx. 520 mg
- Fat: Approx. 24 g
- Saturated Fat: Approx. 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approx. 12 g
- Trans Fat: Approx. 0 g
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 14 g
- Fiber: Approx. 0 g
- Protein: Approx. 11 g
- Cholesterol: Approx. 55 mg
Keywords: pepper jelly sausage bites, breakfast crescent bites, sausage breakfast appetizer, easy brunch recipe, sweet and spicy breakfast
