4-Ingredient Salami Mercer Bites

If you are craving something new as an appetizer, these salami mercer bites are a great idea. They taste amazing and have a great balance of cheesy goodness and crunchy texture.

These take just a few minutes to prepare because you only need a few ingredients, which you can find at the local grocery store in the deli and dairy areas. Plus, you can simply pop them into the oven for a few minutes.

I love pulling this recipe out for game days or casual get-togethers when I do not want to spend hours in the kitchen. They always disappear fast, so you might want to make a double batch!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• This recipe takes only four easy-to-find grocery store items. 
• This recipe will take about twenty minutes to go from start to finish. 
• These are perfect for making ahead of time when guests arrive. 
• It has a perfect combination of salty, creamy, and tangy. 
• It’s naturally low carb, yet very filling.

Ingredients You Need

All of these ingredients should be found in one trip to the grocery store. Below is what you’ll need to make this appetizer.

• Salami slices: Choose thin slices as they will cook much faster than thick ones. Thin slices will also help form a great “cup” once cooked in the oven.
• Cream cheese: This should be completely softened before mixing it with the shredded cheese.
• Sharp cheddar cheese: Freshly grate your cheddar as freshly grated has so much better flavor than pre-shredded. The sharpness of the cheddar will really give a nice kick to the salami.
• Pickled pepper rings (for garnish): These will provide a tangy crunchy bite to break up the rich feel from the cheese and salami.

How to Make It

It takes almost NO TIME AT ALL to put these together! Here is how to go about making them for the oven:

Prep your pan

Set the oven to 375°F. lightly grease a 20-cup mini muffin tin.

Mix the cheese

In a small bowl mix together softened cream cheese and shredded sharp cheddar until they are combined and smooth.

Assemble the bites

Gently press one thin salami slice into each cup of the mini muffin pan, folding or pleating the edges slightly so it sits flush against the sides to form a bowl shape.

Spoon the cheese mixture directly into the center of each salami cup and top with a pickled pepper ring.

Bake until crispy

Bake for 8-10 minutes. When done the salami will curl around edges and the cheese will be lightly golden and melted.

Cool and serve

Allow to sit for a few minutes on the baking sheet after removing from the oven. Then transfer to a platter for eating while still warm.

Tips for the Best Results

• You’ll want to keep the aluminum foil on your baking sheet when making this recipe, otherwise the cheese will be very difficult to clean off after it has cooled. 
• If your salami slices are cut thick, you may need to add an extra minute or two of baking time.
• Try substituting mild pepper rings with pickled jalapenos if you like a little spice. 
• Ideally, make the cheese filling one day ahead of time and refrigerate it; this way, you can simply place it out at room temperature prior to assembling the brie bites. 
• To avoid messy fingers, use toothpicks when you serve these.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Place leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for no longer than 3 days.
• Freeze: Not recommended. Once frozen, the cream cheese may lose its smooth consistency when thawing.
• Reheat: Microwave for a few seconds or place back into a 350°F oven until the cheese becomes melted again.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a fresh vegetable platter along with a yummy ranch dip. 
• Serve with your favorite cold beer (or bubbly soda) 
• Place on top of a Charcuterie Board with olives and crackers. 
• Serve with additional mustard, creamy dipping sauce or even both.