I might not have an ugly sweater to show my spirit, but my food is ready for a holiday soiree. From Winter Salad, White Spiced Wine, and Feta Dip, as of late, my recipes all seem to be tinged with red and green and PLENTY of holiday spirit. Today’s cute little Christmas appetizer bites were made using one of my favorite easy appetizer hacks: mini phyllo shells Flakey, fully-baked phyllo dough that’s shaped for popping right into your mouth, these mini shells are an ideal vehicle for all sorts of sweet and savory ingredients. Last month, I used them to make these Mini Fig Goat Cheese Bacon Bites, and today I’m giving them an Italian twist with a creamy sundried tomato, pesto, and Parmesan filling.
How to Make Christmas Appetizer Bites
These sundried tomato pesto bites can honestly be enjoyed year-round for birthdays, wedding showers, or a fancy date night at home. But their festive Christmas color scheme and impressive taste also make them the best Christmas appetizer to share with friends, family, and loved ones this holiday season.
The Ingredients
Mini Phyllo Shells. My best-ever appetizer shortcut. I love how easy and versatile these flaky little tartlet shells are for sweet and savory appetizers. (Try swapping in phyllo shells with the filling of these Crab Artichoke Toasts.)Pesto. Good quality store-bought pesto is my second shortcut to easy, yet impressive Christmas appetizers (although the Creamy Basil Pesto from my Well Plate Cookbook will forever be my favorite).Light Cream Cheese + Greek Yogurt. A winning combo of healthy and creamy that keep the filling light but also indulgent.Parmesan. Finishes off the vibrant, cheesy filling making it good enough to serve on its own as a dip. Sundried Tomatoes. Bursting with tangy, sweet flavor, these festive red gems bring the bites to life and are a natural complement to the pesto and Parmesan. (Keep the sundried tomatoes coming by serving this Sundried Tomato Pesto Quiche for Christmas brunch.) Fresh Herbs. A sprinkle of fresh basil and parsley acts like tinsel on the finished filled tarts for added color and freshness.
The Directions
Storage Tips
To Store. Assembled Christmas appetizer bites are best eaten within a few hours of assembling. They may be stored in the fridge for up to two days however the phyllo shells will lose their crispness.
Recommended Tools
Disposable Piping Bags. Make prep and clean up a dream.Hand Mixer. The perfect tool for whipping up a perfectly smooth filling.Mixing Bowls. This non-slip set is especially nice.
Now that I have my red-and-green eats courtesy of these simple, lively sundried tomato pesto bites, all I need is the attire to match.
More Festive Holiday Appetizers
Brie BitesPesto Pinwheels Mushroom Puff Pastry Bites
