Oven Baked 4-Ingredient Golden Crunchy Cheese Cups

If you’re looking for an easy game day appetizer, these golden crunchy cheese cups are the perfect choice. They take just a few minutes to put together and bake up into bubbly, crispy cups. 

The refrigerated dough makes these incredibly easy to make while the cheesy filling is melted to perfection. Plus, the combination of sharp cheddar and savory bacon makes these impossible to resist.

I love throwing these in the oven when I have guests coming over, because they smell incredible! They’re a great savory snack that always disappears quickly from the appetizer table.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Only four grocery store ingredients.
• Bake to a perfect golden brown and crispy.
• Great grab and go appetizer.
• No fancy skills needed.
• Filled with savory, cheesy goodness.

Ingredients You Need

You only need a few simple ingredients to make these addictive little bites! Here’s what you’ll need to get started.

• Refrigerated crescent dough: Using the refrigerated dough makes these golden cups so easy to make. The flaky dough acts as the base for these bites.
• Cream cheese: Use room temperature cream cheese in this recipe so that it mixes easily with the cheddar cheese.
• Sharp cheddar cheese: Shred your own cheddar cheese to ensure that it melts nicely. The tangy cheddar goes so well with the cream cheese and bacon.
• Crumbled bacon: Crumbled bacon adds a savory element to these cheese bites!

How to Make It

Are you ready to start baking? Here is how to easily make these delicious cheesy bites!

Prep your oven and pan

Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a 20-cup mini muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.

Shape the dough

Lay the crescent dough out flat and pinch the seams together to form a large rectangle. Cut the dough into 20 small squares and press one into each mini muffin cup.

Mix the filling

Combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and bacon in a medium bowl. Stir until the bacon and cheese are well combined.

Fill the cups

Place about 1 teaspoon of the cheese filling in the center of each dough cup. Try to avoid putting too much in each cup, or it may spill over.

Bake until golden

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the pastry is lightly browned around the edges and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then remove from the pan.

Tips for the Best Results

• For the best melting results, grate your own cheddar cheese from a block.
• Use a mini tart shaper or the back of a measuring spoon to press the dough into the cups.
• Don’t skip the nonstick spray even if you’re using a high-quality nonstick mini muffin pan.
• You can make the cheese filling mixture up to 2 days ahead of time.
• Garnish each cup with a little chopped fresh chives just before serving for extra color.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Cool completely then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Freeze baked cups in a single layer on a tray then transfer to a sealable freezer bag for up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Warm in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes, or until pastry is crisp and cheese is melted.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with an ice-cold beer or glass of iced tea.
• Serve alongside a fresh veggie tray to complement the richness of the cheese.
• Include in a holiday appetizer spread with crackers and other dips.
• Serve with a side of ranch dressing for guests who like to dip.