Prune Cheddar Almond Bites

Chewy, crunchy, creamy, sweet, spicy and smoky. These easy little Prune Cheddar Almond Bites are layered in complexity but balanced in simplicity. Satiny California Prunes hold a hunk of crumbly sharp cheddar and crunchy smoked almonds, then get drizzled in hot honey and sprinkled with grassy chives and a punch of pepper. They may seem simple but the bold contrast of flavors and textures satisfies every craving out there. 

You only need 6 basic ingredients to make these Prune Cheddar Almond Bites

• California Prunes
• Sharp Cheddar
• Smoked Almonds
• Hot Honey
• Fresh Chives
• Black Pepper

It just takes a handful of simple ingredients and only minutes to make these tasty little bites. And you may have a lot of these ingredients in your kitchen already. It's the combination of ingredients that make these Prune Cheddar Almond Bites a flavorful standout.

More California Prune recipes from Baking The Goods

You can certainly make substitutions but there is something distinctly special that happens when these specific ingredients start to mingle. The deep smoky depth and crunch of the almonds counteracts the natural sweetness, rich caramel notes and chewy texture of the prunes. Then the nutty sharpness of the cheddar cheese cuts through the other flavors while layering in a creamy component. That hot honey echoes the sweetness of the prunes with the added complexity of heat in a sticky, sweet and spicy drizzle. Finally, fresh snipped chives add a fresh grassy touch while a crack of black pepper softens the salty sweetness. 

Make these Prune Cheddar Almond Bites in moments

When we say these Prune Cheddar Almond Bites come together quickly, we're not messing around. These bite sized flavor bombs take only about 5 minutes to prepare but they taste like they've just stepped out of the pages of a high end food magazine. The assembly is as easy as it gets.

• Shape the prunes into tiny bowls by pinching and stretching them around your thumb. 
• Tuck a crumbly hunk of sharp cheddar cheese and 2 smoky almonds into each prune bowl.
• Drizzle with hot honey, sprinkle on a pinch of chives and give them a good crack of freshly ground black pepper. 

How easy is that? There is no cooking involved, you don't need to lug out a food processor. In fact, the only tools you need are a knife and cutting board to chop the cheddar and chives. But don't let the simplicity of the recipe fool you into thinking these bites are basic. The complementary flavors and variation in textures bond to form a distinctly balanced and fulfilling bite.

Prune Cheddar Almond Bites can do it all

I've been enjoying these savory nuggets like energy bites lately. They're made with wholesome ingredients and they've got everything I want in a power boosting energy bite: fiber, protein, healthy fats, nutrients, vitamins and plenty of health benefits. So if you're looking to up your daily grams of fiber and protein, these little bites bring it. Popping a couple of Prune Cheddar Almond Bites between meals will help you stay energized and satisfied for hours. 

If you're looking for more prune packed energy bites that lean a little sweeter, try my Snickers Prune Bites and Chocolate Tahini Prune Oat Cups.

Additionally, these bites can easily lean elegant. The ingredients and their tiny, neat little packages exude elegance with ease. You could effortlessly and stylishly fill a silver serving platter with these pretty little bites and serve them as a delicious appetizer at a fancy party. They can do it all! 

Customize these savory bites with simple swaps

Don't stop here, these Prune Cheddar Almond Bites can be customized to work with what you've got. While we do love this balanced combination of sweet, salty, smoky and spicy, you can take these savory prune bites in all different directions. 

• Change up the cheese, we love the contrast of sharp cheddar cheese here but feel free to get creative. Try a mild and creamy gouda or crumbly aged parmesan. Or even add a small scoop of spreadable cheese or blue cheese for a luxuriously creamy bite. 
• Swap the sauce, if hot honey isn't your thing, try basic honey or a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. 
• Substitute the smoked almonds for raw almonds or any other nut you like. Pistachios would play well, so would pecans. Even candied walnuts would work wonderfully. 
• Mix up the herbs, dill and gouda is always a winning team, parsley would add a fresh flavor or rosemary would bring a warm, woodsy finish. 
• Heat things up and take it a step further by warming up the cheddar stuffed prunes in a 350° F oven for 5-6 minutes, until the cheese starts to melt and bubble. Then finish with the remaining toppings and serve immediately, while still warm. This deepens the flavors and makes the Prune Cheddar Almond Bites feel even more elevated.

However and whenever you decide to serve these Prune Cheddar Almond Bites, you are sure to add some wholesome satisfaction to your day. These little bites are bursting with fiber and protein that nourish while channeling all kinds of flavor cravings.  

This post was proudly made in partnership with California Prunes. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting me and the brands that I love. Follow @caprunes on Instagram to learn more about the health benefits of California Prunes and discover new recipes!

Print

Recipe