Party bread’s the perfect thing to make the base of a bite sized appetizer. Add a creamy, melted cheese topping & some seasonings to create these irresistible Cheesy Parmesan Rye Cocktail Bites. They’re perfect finger food for any occasion, whether you’ve planned ahead or need a last minute option.

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Appetizers are always all the rage around my house. I mean, they make a great snack supper. Pair a couple together, and BAM! Everyone’s full, with simple effort.

They don’t have to be complicated. Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best.

If only it were that simple when I sent the Hubs to the grocery store. Even with list in hand, he can’t adhere to it. Now granted, he’ll get everything on it- but he’s guaranteed to get a few extras. Some tasty tidbits that have caught his eye.

I’ve also taught him the value of shopping the clearance aisle. We have a deep freezer, and bakeries constantly put bread on sale. It freezes well, especially when destined to go in a dish at some point. He knows this, I’ve ingrained it into his brain.

Then one day he came home with a teeny, tiny loaf of cocktail rye bread. What in the heck was I supposed to do with this? I mean it was less than a dollar, but still -what was I gonna do with it?

That’s when I remembered a vintage recipe my Grandma used to throw together for get togethers called cheesy parmesan rye cocktail bites. It was a must have at all occasions and always requested for visits.

This easy cheesy party bread is quick to throw together, making them perfect for last minute entertaining. They’re equally delicious which is gonna make them your new favorite go to appetizer.

Ingredients Needed

This cheesy party bread has a short ingredient list.

To make it you’ll need:

Mayonnaise – Real mayonnaise, NOT miracle whip. Use a variety you’re familiar with and enjoy the flavor of.
Cheese – grated Parmesan cheese- the real stuff, not the Kraft kind you put on pizza and spaghetti.
Onion – finely minced white onion
Worcestershire Sauce
Seasoning – A blend of seasoning salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika combine to give this bites their flavor profile.
Rye Bread – Specifically a loaf of cocktail party rye bread

Once you’ve gathered all your ingredients, you’re ready to whip up a batch of the cheesy appetizer bites.

How To Make

Remember when I said they were quick and easy to throw together? I wasn’t lying.

Start by lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Then lay out the sliced bread.

Try to fit as much as you can onto the baking sheet, keeping it in a single layer. Touching is ok, just no overlapping.

Add all of the remaining ingredients to a medium sized mixing bowl. Stir them together until they’re evenly combined.

Spread the topping evenly out over the slices of bread. Sprinkle the smoked paprika & oregano evenly out over the prepped bread.

Let your oven’s broiler heat up, and place the pan under it. Watch it carefully, things can go from cooked to burnt quickly!

Cook just until the cheese mix is melted, golden brown on top, and slightly ‘puffed’.

Remove the dish from the oven. Transfer the party bites from the baking sheet to a serving platter.

Serve them immediately, as these delicious bites are best served hot!

Where Can You Buy Cocktail Bread?

Most chain grocery stores carry a variety of this kind of bread. Pepperidge Farm discontinued their brand, but any brand works.

I can always find it in the bread section of Kroger or the specialty deli section of Food Lion.

It can also be ordered HERE.

TIPS & TRICKS

Lining your baking sheet with parchment paper is optional, but I recommend since it makes for easier cleanup.
Use real mayonnaise here, NOT miracle whip, and also a brand you’re familiar with and enjoy the taste of.
You can use either the rye version of cocktail bread, or the pumpernickel in this recipe.
Make sure to serve these immediately after broiling them since you want the cheese to be melted on top with a gooey filling. Since they’re only broiled, they won’t stay warm for long.

Other Easy Appetizer Recipes

Sometimes it’s hard to find a solid appetizer option. Everything seems to have been done before.

Kick it old school with these retro Cheesy Parmesan Rye Cocktail Bites. Your guests will congratulate you, and of course- request the recipe!

Looking for other easy appetizers to enjoy?

Try these:

If you’ve tried these CHEESY PARMESAN RYE COCKTAIL BITES, or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!