Description
Baked Feta Honey Bites are a delicious and easy phyllo appetizer featuring crispy layered phyllo dough cups filled with savory feta cheese, drizzled with sweet honey, and topped with toasted sesame seeds. Perfect for entertaining or as a simple snack, these bite-sized treats combine flaky texture with a perfect balance of salty and sweet flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Phyllo Dough
- 8 phyllo sheets (9 x 14 inch) or 24 phyllo shells (see note below if using larger phyllo sheets)
- 2-3 tbsp olive oil for brushing
Filling and Topping
- 6 ounces (170 g) feta cheese
- Honey for drizzling
- 3 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the phyllo bites.
- Prepare Phyllo Layers: Place one sheet of phyllo on a clean working surface and brush it evenly with olive oil. Layer three more sheets on top, brushing each sheet with olive oil as well. This creates four layers of phyllo.
- Cut Phyllo Squares: Cut the layered phyllo into twelve squares, each approximately 3 x 3 inches (7 x 7 cm). Repeat this process with the remaining four phyllo sheets and cut into another twelve squares.
- Alternative Phyllo Preparation: If using larger phyllo sheets, layer only two sheets, brush with olive oil, and then fold them in half. Alternatively, use ready-made phyllo shells to skip this step.
- Assemble Phyllo Cups: Coat a mini muffin pan lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking. Place each phyllo square into a muffin cup, gently pressing to form small cups.
- Prepare Feta Cubes: Slice the feta cheese into cubes measuring about 1 x 1 inch (2.5 x 2.5 cm), each weighing roughly 0.25 ounces (7 grams).
- Fill Cups and Bake: Place one feta cube inside each phyllo cup. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes until the phyllo is golden and crisp.
- Toast Sesame Seeds: While the bites bake, toast the sesame seeds in a small pan over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until golden and fragrant. Stir frequently to avoid burning.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the baked phyllo cups from the oven. Lightly press the feta cubes with a small fork to soften slightly. Carefully remove the cups from the muffin pan and place them onto a serving platter. Drizzle each bite with honey and sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- Defrost phyllo sheets completely in the refrigerator before use to prevent tearing.
- Keep phyllo covered with a damp kitchen towel while working to prevent drying out.
- Ensure each phyllo sheet is well brushed with olive oil for crispiness; insufficient oil leads to a paper-like texture.
- Make-ahead tip: After baking, allow bites to cool without adding honey. Store them in a sealed container in the fridge for 1-2 days. Reheat in the oven at 325°F (160°C) until crispy, then add honey and sesame seeds before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 appetizer
- Calories: 45 kcal
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 3.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3.5 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 2.0 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
