These mini caprese phyllo cups are a delightful and easy-to-create appetizer that will impress anyone who tries them. Made with vibrant cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil, these cups are perfection on a crisp phyllo shell!
This recipe resolves issues of preparation time and complexity while delivering a fresh, flavorful appetizer that appeals to many guests.
I’ve found that sometimes bringing together fresh ingredients can be tricky, especially when you’re short on time. With no cooking involved and needing just ten minutes, this recipe solves those weeknight cooking dilemmas and works well for unexpected guests. Honestly, I’ve whipped these up when my kids wanted a quick snack after school, and they disappeared in no time.
The best part? With their bite-sized goodness, these treats are always a hit at parties and gatherings. The crispy shell, combined with fresh flavors, keeps them light and enjoyable. Just toss those ingredients in a bowl, fill up your phyllo cups, and you’re ready to serve. They stay tasty when served right after assembly, so you won’t have to worry about sogginess!
If you want to try something else with a similar twist, look no further than my bruschetta phyllo cups that are perfect for any occasion!
Table of contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Fresh and Flavorful Ingredients – The combination of ripe cherry tomatoes, marinated mozzarella, and fragrant basil brings a burst of flavor that’s hard to beat. Each component is carefully chosen to complement the others, ensuring a satisfying bite every time.
- No-Cook Convenience – With just 10 minutes to whip up these mini caprese phyllo cups, it’s a breeze to serve a classy appetizer without any cooking fuss. It’s perfect for impromptu gatherings or when you’re short on time.
- Crispy Phyllo Shells – These ready-to-use phyllo shells provide a fantastic crunch that contrasts perfectly with the creamy mozzarella and juicy tomatoes. The texture keeps each bite interesting and makes every cup a joy to enjoy.
- Refreshing Summer Appeal – This appetizer captures the essence of summer with its bright flavors and fresh ingredients. It’s a great way to celebrate seasonal produce and adds a light touch to any meal or get-together.
Mini Caprese Phyllo Cups
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cool Time:
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 30 servings 1x
- Category: appetizer
- Method: no-cook
- Diet: vegetarian
Description
Delicious and easy Mini Caprese Phyllo Cups, perfect for a no-cook appetizer with fresh flavors.
Ingredients
- 15 (about 1.5 cups / 225 g) cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 15 (about 7.5 oz / 215 g) marinated mozzarella balls, quartered
- 4 large (about 1/4 cup / 10 g) basil leaves, stacked, rolled, and thinly sliced
- 30 phyllo shells, ready-to-use
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Step 1: Line a tray or baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents the phyllo shells from sliding around while you fill them and helps keep things tidy.
- Step 2: Quarter the cherry tomatoes and marinated mozzarella balls. Add them to a medium mixing bowl. The quarter size ensures each phyllo cup will have balanced bites of tomato and cheese.
- Step 3: Stack the basil leaves, roll them tightly into a bundle, then slice into thin ribbons. Add the basil ribbons to the bowl with the tomatoes and mozzarella. This technique releases the basil’s fragrance for better flavor distribution.
- Step 4: Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly, about 30 seconds, to evenly coat the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil with oil. This adds richness and binds the flavors together.
- Step 5: Use a small spoon to fill each phyllo shell with about two quarters of the tomato and mozzarella mixture. Aim for a heaping filling but avoid overstuffing to prevent spills.
- Step 6: Just before serving, drizzle each filled cup with balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze. This adds a sweet and tangy finish highlighting all the ingredients.
- Step 7: Serve the phyllo cups right away while the shells remain crisp. The contrast of the crunchy shell with the creamy filling is key and enjoyment decreases if the shells become soggy.
Notes
- Room Temperature: Store assembled cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. This preserves the crispness of the phyllo shells.
- Refrigeration: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For best texture, do not drizzle balsamic vinegar or glaze until just before serving after refrigeration.
- Freezing: Do not freeze assembled cups because phyllo shells will lose crispness. Instead, freeze the filling separately in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month; thaw in the refrigerator before use.
- If phyllo cups become too dry while preparing the filling, cover them loosely with a damp paper towel to maintain moisture.
- Fill phyllo cups no earlier than 10 minutes prior to serving to avoid soggy bottoms and maintain shell crunch.
- Chop basil right before use to prevent discoloration and preserve fresh flavor.
- Toss filling gently but thoroughly (about 30 seconds) to distribute flavors evenly.
- Quality indicators: Choose bright, firm cherry tomatoes that feel heavy for their size. Use fresh, vibrant green basil leaves without blemishes. Opt for creamy, soft fresh mozzarella straight from the package for the best texture. Use thawed but not sticky phyllo shells for flaky layers.
Nutrition
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 7mg
Ingredient Notes
- Phyllo dough: Look for thawed sheets from the freezer section. They should feel soft but not sticky. This creates flaky layers that hold your filling beautifully.
- Fresh mozzarella: Opt for the creamy, soft version for a rich taste. Use it straight from the package for the best texture , don’t overheat it or it’ll become rubbery!
- Cherry tomatoes: Choose bright, firm tomatoes. They should feel heavy for their size and have a rich color. Sweetness here is key to balancing flavors.
- Basil leaves: Fresh is best! Look for vibrant green leaves without blemishes. They’ll add a fragrant, peppery kick that’s essential to this dish.
- Balsamic glaze: A good quality glaze adds depth and sweetness. If you can’t find it, reduce balsamic vinegar with a bit of sugar until thickened for a substitute.
- Phyllo dough: Look for thawed sheets from the freezer section. They should feel soft but not sticky. This creates flaky layers that hold your filling beautifully.
- Fresh mozzarella: Opt for the creamy, soft version for a rich taste. Use it straight from the package for the best texture , don’t overheat it or it’ll become rubbery!
- Cherry tomatoes: Choose bright, firm tomatoes. They should feel heavy for their size and have a rich color. Sweetness here is key to balancing flavors.
- Basil leaves: Fresh is best! Look for vibrant green leaves without blemishes. They’ll add a fragrant, peppery kick that’s essential to this dish.
- Balsamic glaze: A good quality glaze adds depth and sweetness. If you can’t find it, reduce balsamic vinegar with a bit of sugar until thickened for a substitute.
Recipe Tips
- If phyllo cups become too dry, cover them loosely with a damp paper towel while preparing the filling to help maintain moisture.
- For soggy bottoms, fill phyllo cups no earlier than 10 minutes before serving; this keeps them crispy until served.
- If you notice the basil discoloring, chop it right before use for optimal freshness and flavor retention in the cups.
- When mixing the filling, thoroughly toss the ingredients for about 30 seconds to achieve a uniform distribution of flavors.
- If you have leftovers, store the filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days for best quality.
Serving Suggestions
Serve mini caprese phyllo cups with a side of mixed greens or arugula salad for a light touch. Pair with gluten-free crackers or a vegetable platter for added crunch and color.
Add to skewers for a fun appetizer by alternating the phyllo cups with grilled chicken or shrimp for variety. Use leftover ingredients to make a Caprese salad or phyllo egg rolls for quick snacks.
Top with a balsamic glaze or drizzled olive oil for extra flavor. A sprinkle of sea salt or cracked pepper can also enhance the taste of each bite.
Recipe variations
- You can use fresh cherry tomatoes, about 15 quartered, as the main ingredient for these mini caprese phyllo cups to keep the natural acidity vibrant.
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 4 large basil leaves thinly sliced to the mozzarella and tomato mixture to lightly coat and infuse the flavors.
- Either marinated mozzarella balls or fresh mozzarella cut into quarters work well; either choice maintains the creamy texture that complements the crispy shells.
- If using 30 phyllo shells, fill each with roughly two quarters of the tomato and mozzarella mix, allowing for a perfect bite-sized appetizer quantity.
- These mini caprese phyllo cups can be served alongside light beverages or snacks such as in my Everything Bagel Swim Biscuits recipe for a balanced party offering.
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How to Store?
To keep your mini caprese phyllo cups fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Place assembled cups in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 day to keep phyllo shells crisp.
Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 days. Add balsamic drizzle just before serving to preserve texture.
Freezing: Do not freeze assembled cups as phyllo shells will lose crispness. Freeze filling separately in a freezer container up to 1 month. Thaw refrigerated.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
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