Tailgate Pimiento Swirls

Name: Tailgate Pimiento Swirls
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Dough Sheet; 1/2 cup pimiento cheese spread; 2 to 3 tablespoons red pepper jelly; 1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 2 slices cooked bacon, finely crumbled; 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley

Prep time:15 min
Total time:35 min
Ingredients:6
Servings:12
Calories per serving:100

By Edited by Mandy(Opens in a new tab)Updated 01/29/2026

Tailgate Pimiento Swirls

Prep time:15 min
Total time:35 min
Ingredients:6
Servings:12
Calories per serving:100

Bake OffBake-Off® Contest 53, 2026. Leah Nicholson. Clearwater, Florida. Bake-Of

Leah Nicholson

Clearwater, Florida

Bake Off

Bake-Off® Contest 53, 2026

Bake-Of

Every great game day spread needs a winning play—and this recipe finalist from the 53rd Pillsbury Bake-Off® Contest scores big every time. Creamy pimiento cheese, melty cheddar, spicy-sweet pepper jelly, and crumbled bacon rolled up in Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Dough make the ultimate finger food for cheering on your team!

Recipe creator Leah N. from Florida explains her inspiration: “My Nana has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. She may not cook anymore, but she's still the life of every gathering! Her famous pimiento cheese dip is always the first dish gone, so I reimagined it using Pillsbury crescent dough and a touch of pepper jelly.”

You can serve these cheesy, flaky bites warm or at room temperature, which means they’re the perfect grab-and-go snack for kickoff, overtime, and every moment in between.

Recipe Ingredients

Just a handful of ingredients turn crescent dough into an irresistible game day appetizer. Here’s what you’ll need.

Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Dough Sheet: The soft, flaky base that makes prep super easy.

Pimiento Cheese Spread: This classic Southern spread or dip adds creamy, tangy flavor and helps hold the ingredients together.

Red Pepper Jelly: Not too spicy, not too sweet, this flavorful condiment adds the perfect amount of kick to balance the rich cheese.

Other Ingredients You’ll Need: Shredded sharp cheddar adds even more melty, cheesy goodness, and crumbled bacon adds salty, smoky flavor. Fresh parsley is the perfect finishing touch for color and freshness.

How to Make Tailgate Pimiento Swirls

Just a few quick moves and you’ll have these cheesy Tailgate Pimiento Swirls prepped, baked, and ready to serve before the first whistle blows. Here’s a quick overview (check out the full recipe below!).

1. Gather Your Ingredients

Our first tip: Make sure to have all the ingredients ready before you begin so you can work fast. Otherwise, they’ll get too warm, which will make the dough hard to work with, and the filling will be more likely to melt out during baking.

2. Prep and Add Fillings

Unroll the crescent dough into a rectangle, then spread pimiento cheese evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border on one long edge (otherwise it will be tricky to get the dough to seal together). Dot red pepper jelly all over the pimiento cheese layer, then top with shredded sharp cheddar cheese and bacon crumbles.

3. Roll and Slice

Roll the dough tightly (tight is key!), pinch to seal, and slice into even rounds.

4. Bake, Garnish, and Serve

Pop the swirls in a 350°F oven until golden brown and bubbling. Sprinkle with parsley, let them cool slightly, and serve warm. They’re best fresh from the oven, but just as delicious at room temperature, too!

How to Store (and Reheat) Tailgate Pimiento Swirls

Leftovers keep well for a couple of days, so you can enjoy them as a snack later in the week! Here’s what to do.

Refrigerator Storage

Store leftover Pimiento Swirls in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer Storage

We wouldn’t recommend freezing these appetizer pastries because the crescent dough will become dense and soggy when thawed.

Reheating

Place Pimiento Swirls on a baking sheet and heat in a 350°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes until warmed and crispy.