Cheesy Apple & Bacon Phyllo Cup Appetizers
Our friend Lori, from Foxes Love Lemons, shares a tasty new appetizer recipe!
There's a few things that I like to keep on hand for quick entertaining snacks that seem fancy, but are so easy. Marcona almonds, good olives, fresh fruit (like Michigan Apples, of course!) and a few good cheeses all make the list. Another item right there at the top is mini phyllo cups.
These little edible cups (sometimes called "phyllo shells" on their box) are most often found in the freezer section of any grocery store (look near the puff pastry and other frozen pastry items), but can also be stored at room temperature if needed. They're made with layers of phyllo dough, a light and flaky unleavened dough used in Greek and Middle Eastern cuisines. People are most often familiar with phyllo dough in baklava.
Phyllo shells are a favorite of mine because they are SO adaptable. They can be filled with any variety of filling, from sweet to savory or somewhere in between. If you store them in the freezer, simply put them on your counter as you prep your filling, and they'll be at room temperature and ready to eat by the time you're ready to fill them. They can be served straight from the box, or baked if you want. Like I said, SO easy.
These Cheesy Apple & Bacon Phyllo Cup Appetizers are my modern take on a cheeseball and crackers. Updating your holiday snack spread couldn't be easier – simple stir together cooked bacon, goat cheese, gouda cheese, a dash of hot sauce, and some chopped Michigan Gala apple. I always have Gala apples in my crisper because they are perfect for eating on their own AND cooking. You can't go wrong with them!
Scoop the mixture into the phyllo cups, and from here, you can serve these bites at room temperature, but I like to pop them into the oven so the cheese gets all golden brown and melty. Your holiday guests will be coming back for seconds and thirds of these savory-sweet little bites, I promise!
Cheesy Apple & Bacon Phyllo Cup Appetizers
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Yield: 15 pieces
• 1 box (1.9 oz) phyllo shells (15 pieces)
• 2 slices bacon, cooked and finely chopped
• 1/2 small Michigan Gala apple, finely chopped
• 2 ounces goat cheese, softened
• 2 ounces gouda cheese, shredded
• Dash hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, chopped
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. If phyllo shells are in freezer, place on counter to bring to room temperature.
2. In medium bowl, stir bacon, apple, goat cheese, gouda and hot sauce until well combined.
3. Place phyllo shells on rimmed baking pan. Divide cheese mixture between phyllo shells. Transfer to oven and bake 15 minutes or until light golden brown.
4. Garnish with chives and serve immediately.
Lori Yates is a Detroit-area recipe developer and food photographer. She is the author of Foxes Love Lemons, where she posts special yet simple original recipes for the "home chef" in all of us.
