Sweet + Savory Phyllo Cups. Light, flaky mini pastry cups filled with basil, garlic, goat cheese, pistachios, bacon, and honey-balsamic glaze. The perfect appetizer!
After trying to think up new ideas for appetizers, I came up with this masterpiece. My usual go-to appetizer is these Brown Sugar Glazed Kielbasa Bites because my friends are crazy about them. Needless to say, I make them all the time. But I wanted to change things up.
And that I did, my friends.
This recipe was a complete vomit from my brain. I have an obsession with goat cheese so imagine cheesy appetizers with some crunch, salty, and sweetness. Mmmmmm. Of course, bacon and pistachios had to be there because DUH. And finally, something sweet… a honey balsamic glaze because YUM.
Here’s how I brought these to life.
Recommended For This Recipe
Baking Sheets
Highly recommend these aluminum, nonstick baking sheets that provide high conductivity. Perfect for all your baking needs!
How To Make Sweet & Savory Phyllo Cups
- Make the bacon. In a skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high heat, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and chop into pieces. Set aside.
- Thaw the phyllo cups. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the mini phyllo shells from the freezer and allow to thaw for exactly 10 minutes before baking. You can find these mini fillo shells in the frozen food section of your grocery store. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Make the garlic goat cheese. In a small bowl, mix the goat cheese with the garlic until well combined. In another small bowl, mix honey and balsamic glaze until well combined.
- Assemble the phyllo shells. Fill each shell evenly in this order: fresh basil (~1/4 teaspoon), goat cheese (~1 teaspoon), chopped pistachios (~1/2 teaspoon), and chopped bacon (~1/2 teaspoon). Drizzle with the honey balsamic glaze (save some for later!).
- Bake and serve! Bake the phyllo cups, until crisp and flaky, about 10 minutes. Drizzle with more honey balsamic glaze, if desired. Serve immediately.
We have some salty, crispy, crunchy deliciousness from the bacon and pistachios, some soft and creamy from the goat cheese, and tangy-sweet from the honey-balsamic glaze. I’d say this is a winner!
I hope you make this and you LOVE it!
Sweet + Savory Phyllo Cups (Easy Appetizer Idea!)
Ingredients
- 4 slices applewood smoked bacon
- 1 package frozen phyllo shells (1.9 ounces; I use Athens brand)
- 8 ounces goat cheese
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons raw honey
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup pistachios roughly chopped
Instructions
- In a skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high heat, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and chop into pieces. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Remove the mini phyllo shells from the freezer and allow to thaw for exactly 10 minutes before baking. Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Fill each shell evenly in this order: fresh basil (~1/4 teaspoon), goat cheese (~1 teaspoon), chopped pistachios (~1/2 teaspoon), and chopped bacon (~1/2 teaspoon). Drizzle with the honey balsamic glaze (save some for later!).
- Bake the phyllo cups, until crisp and flaky, about 10 minutes. Drizzle with more honey balsamic glaze, if desired. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
You may also like:
- 3-ingredient Brown Sugar Glazed Kielbasa Bites
- Quick, Easy + Healthy Guacamole Recipe
- Dairy-Free Blueberry Cashew Butter Granola Cups
- 5-Ingredient Smoky Vegan Queso (Dairy-Free!)
Susan says
I brought two types of filo appetizers! By far these were the best! From kids to adults they enjoyed the flavor and combo of this dish. They were gone in minutes and I doubled the recipe. I won’t change a thing but add this to must make at parties.
Mabel says
Can the filling be made in advance before putting in phyllo
Mabel
Jamie Silva says
Sure!
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
Jamie Silva says
I would serve it immediately to avoid them from getting soggy.
Suzanne says
This looks so good! What a great sweet and savory appetizer to bring to Thanksgiving!
Brooke says
These look delicious! I’m gluten-free and can’t find gluten free phyllo. Do you think gluten-free puff pastry would work? Thanks!
Jamie Silva says
Hi Brooke! I’m not sure, I’ve never tried that before so it’s hard to say. :-/
Sophie says
Can these be frozen after baking?
Jamie Silva says
Hi! I’ve never tried that so I can’t really say. You can try to assemble them and place them in an airtight container in the freezer prior to baking. Just don’t defrost prior to baking, bake them directly from the freezer and keep your eye on them. Good luck!
Marissa says
I was wondering about using a different kind of cheese since I don’t like goat cheese. Do you have any suggestions ???
Jamie Silva says
Maybe feta or cream cheese?
Celina says
What is the balsamic glaze? Is it some thing I need to make additionally?
Jamie Silva says
Hi Celina! Balsamic glaze is a syrupy, sweet-tart reduction of balsamic vinegar. You can buy it at any grocery store or on Amazon. :)
Tori says
Hi Jamie! Thanks for the yummy recipe idea. Question: can balsamic vinegar be used as a substitute?
Jamie Silva says
It may be too wet which may dampen the cups’ integrity, maybe you can reduce it a bit so it becomes more like a syrup
ALEX says
I WAS THINKING ABOT MAKING THESE FOR A POTLUCK? I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THEM THAT MORNING AND POT LUCK WOULD BE AFTER WORK? ANY SUGGESTIONS ON STORING THEM IN BETWEEN? FRIDGE, ROOM TEMP? THANKS!
Jamie Silva says
Hi Alex! To be honest, I don’t think these bites would make it til the end of the day if you make them in the morning since the phyllo shells are a delicate pastry and the ingredients will make them soggy. Even if you were to make them ahead of time, they would still need reheating before serving. These are best served immediately out of the oven however you can always do a test run to see how it turns out. Hope that helps! Good luck! :)
Tricia says
Divine! Friends loved these on a girl’s weekend! My new fave!!!
Jamie Silva says
Happy to hear, Tricia! :)