15-Minute Crispy Feta and Hot Honey Phyllo Cups Recipe

Introduction

Crispy feta and hot honey phyllo cups are a perfect blend of savory and sweet in bite-sized form. These flaky, creamy, and spicy appetizers come together in just 15 minutes, making them a quick crowd-pleaser for any gathering.

Ingredients

• 24 mini phyllo cups (found in the freezer aisle)
• 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled (block feta recommended)
• 2 tbsp honey (runny and good quality)
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Step 2: Arrange the mini phyllo cups on a baking sheet; no need to grease.
3. Step 3: Fill each phyllo cup generously with crumbled feta cheese.
4. Step 4: Bake for 8-10 minutes until the feta softens and the edges of the cups turn golden.
5. Step 5: While baking, mix honey and red pepper flakes in a small bowl to create the spicy honey drizzle.
6. Step 6: Once baked, immediately drizzle the hot honey over the phyllo cups.
7. Step 7: Garnish with fresh thyme leaves if desired, then serve warm and enjoy.

Tips & Variations

• Brush the phyllo cups lightly with olive oil before filling for extra crispiness.
• Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spiciness, starting with less and adding more if needed.
• Swap honey for maple syrup in a pinch, adding extra chili to maintain heat.
• Use goat cheese instead of feta for a tangier flavor and press it down gently before baking.
• Fresh rosemary can replace thyme if you prefer a different herb flavor.

Storage

Store any leftover phyllo cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them on a baking sheet and warm in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving, as it will make the phyllo soggy and the cheese rubbery.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use puff pastry instead of phyllo?

You can substitute puff pastry, but the cups will be thicker and less crisp. If using puff pastry, bake the shells first until golden, then add the feta filling. Phyllo offers a lighter, crunchier texture that’s worth the freezer aisle trip.

How do I make the phyllo cups less spicy?

Reduce the red pepper flakes to 1/4 teaspoon or omit them altogether and use plain honey instead. For a milder balance, try stirring in a teaspoon of lemon juice to cut the heat without losing flavor.

15-Minute Crispy Feta and Hot Honey Phyllo Cups Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 107 reviews

Crispy feta and hot honey phyllo cups are a deliciously addictive appetizer combining flaky mini phyllo shells filled with creamy, melty feta cheese and drizzled with a spicy honey glaze. Perfectly balanced with savory, sweet, and a touch of heat, these bite-sized cups are easy to prepare and ideal for entertaining or as a flavorful snack.

• Author: liam
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 24 phyllo cups 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Phyllo Cups

• 24 mini phyllo cups (found in the freezer aisle)

Filling

• 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled (preferably block feta for creaminess)

Hot Honey Drizzle

• 2 tbsp honey (preferably runny, good quality)
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

Additional Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, to brush phyllo cups for extra crispiness)
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the phyllo cups to a perfect crisp.
2. Arrange Phyllo Cups: Place the 24 mini phyllo cups evenly spaced on a baking sheet; no need to grease the baking sheet.
3. Fill Cups: Spoon crumbled block feta cheese generously into each phyllo cup, filling them up to the top but without overfilling to prevent spillage.
4. Bake: Bake the filled cups for 8-10 minutes until the feta softens and the edges of the phyllo cups turn golden brown and crispy.
5. Prepare Hot Honey: While baking, mix together the honey and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Adjust spiciness by adding more flakes if desired.
6. Drizzle Hot Honey: As soon as the phyllo cups come out of the oven, drizzle the spicy honey mixture evenly over each cup, letting the heat create a delightful sizzle.
7. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves over the cups if using, and serve warm for the best flavor and crunch.

Notes

• For extra crispiness, lightly brush the phyllo cups with olive oil before filling with feta.
• Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes in the honey to control the level of spiciness according to your preference.
• Best served freshly baked but can be reheated in a 300°F oven for 3-4 minutes to restore crispness.
• Do not microwave leftovers as it will make phyllo cups soggy and cheese rubbery.
• If honey is unavailable, maple syrup can be substituted with extra chili added for heat.
• If fresh thyme is not available, rosemary can be used as a garnish or omitted entirely.
• For a tangier flavor, goat cheese can replace feta; press it down slightly in cups before baking.
• Phyllo cups can be filled up to 2 hours in advance and refrigerated, then baked just before serving.

Keywords: feta, hot honey, phyllo cups, appetizer, easy, spicy, savory, Mediterranean, bite-sized