These brie apple phyllo cups make a quick appetizer with crisp SnapDragon apples, creamy Brie, smoky bacon, and a drizzle of honey. Ready in 20 minutes, they’re the perfect holiday starter or a simple snack for last-minute get-togethers.
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love These Phyllo Dough Appetizer Cups
- Ingredient Information And Substitutions
- How To Make Brie Apple Phyllo Cups
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Tips For Making Appetizers With Phyllo Dough Cups
- What To Serve With Phyllo Appetizers Cups
- Other Appetizers To Try
- Hosting Thanksgiving?
- Apple Brie Phyllo Cups
Why You’ll Love These Phyllo Dough Appetizer Cups
Having an appetizer recipe that feels effortless is a lifesaver during the busy holiday season. These bites are incredibly flavorful, classy, and come together in less time than it takes to set the table. They pair perfectly with everything from a Thanksgiving turkey to a New Year’s Eve spread.
The balance of flavors makes these irresistible: crunchy SnapDragon apples, creamy brie, savory bacon, and a whisper of honey to tie it all together. Plus, the phyllo shells mean no fussing with dough… just assemble, bake, and enjoy. Here’s why you’ll love the brie cheese bites:
- Quick and easy, ready in 20 minutes
- The perfect mix of savory, sweet, and crunchy
- Made with just a handful of simple ingredients
- Pretty enough for any holiday table
- A guaranteed crowd-pleaser
Ingredient Information And Substitutions
- Mini phyllo cups- Found in the freezer aisle near puff pastry. Substitute with puff pastry squares if needed.
- Brie cheese- Creamy and rich. Swap with Camembert or even cream cheese for a milder option.
- SnapDragon apples- Crisp and lightly sweet. Honeycrisp or Gala apples are the closest substitute. Toss in lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Lemon juice- Keeps the apple slices fresh. Lime juice or orange juice also works.
- Bacon- Adds smoky, savory flavor. Prosciutto or pancetta can be used for a more delicate touch.
- Honey- For a touch of sweetness. Maple syrup or fig jam would also complement the flavors.
How To Make Brie Apple Phyllo Cups
Step 1- Prep the phyllo cups.
Line a baking sheet with parchment. Arrange the phyllo shells so they aren’t touching, then tuck a small chunk of brie into each one.
Step 2- Prep and add apples.
Thinly slice the apple, toss the pieces with a little lemon juice to keep them fresh, and then tuck a couple of slices into each brie-filled phyllo cup.
Step 3- Add bacon.
Sprinkle crumbled bacon over the top of the apples and cheese, making sure it lands inside the cups (as best as you can!).
Step 4- Bake and drizzle.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 10–15 minutes, until the brie is melted. Remove from the oven, add a drizzle of honey, and serve warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a matter of personal preference. The rind is perfectly safe to eat, and I prefer to leave it on to save time.
Remove them from the sheet pan right after cooking, and make sure not to overload the phyllo cups with apples or honey. If you need to let them cool, place them on a wire rack to keep the bottoms crisp.
You can prep the ingredients in advance: cook the bacon, cut the brie, and slice the apples (store them with lemon juice). Assemble and bake right before serving for the best results.
Nope! The frozen phyllo shells can go straight onto the baking sheet. No defrosting required.
Tips For Making Appetizers With Phyllo Dough Cups
- Fry the bacon nice and crispy so you don’t end up with any chewy bites.
- No need to peel the apples. I think the skin adds a gorgeous pop of color to the dish!
- Cut the brie into small, bite-sized chunks so it melts evenly. If the pieces are too big, they may not soften all the way through.
- Tuck the apple slices into the brie at a little angle so they fan out. It makes the cups look extra pretty once they’re baked.
- Go light on the honey drizzle. A little sweetness goes a long way and keeps the cups from getting soggy.
- For an extra pop of flavor, sprinkle on chopped pecans, dried cranberries, or a touch of cinnamon.
- Mix things up by swapping the apples for pears or figs for a fun twist on the classic brie apple combo.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Cook and crumble the bacon, slice the apple (tossed in lemon juice), and cut the brie into cubes.
- Leftovers and storage- Leftovers keep in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven so the shells stay crisp. Freezing isn’t recommended as phyllo loses its crunch and turns soggy.
What To Serve With Phyllo Appetizers Cups
These little bites make a great starter, but they’re even better as part of a full spread. Pair them with something fresh, something hearty, and something sweet to round out the table. Here are my favorite pairings:
- Steak Bites And Potatoes
- Baked Delicata Squash With Herbed Yogurt
- Savory Spiced Butternut Squash Soup
- No Bake Peanut Butter Pie
Other Appetizers To Try
Hosting Thanksgiving?
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Apple Brie Phyllo Cups
Equipment
- Bowl
Ingredients
- 12 mini phyllo cups (I find them frozen in near the phyllo dough)
- 1 small wedge brie cheese or whatever creamy cheese you prefer
- ½ apple sliced thin and cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon juice about ½ lemon
- 3 slices bacon cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 2 Tablespoons Honey for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a pan with parchment or foil for easy clean up.
- Arrange phyllo cups on the pan.
- Cut brie into bite size pieces and place them into the phyllo cups.
- Drizzle apple pieces with lemon juice toss to evenly coated.
- Place 2-3 pieces of the apples into each phyllo cup.
- Sprinkle the crumbled bacon generously into each phyllo cup.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is nicely melted.
- Drizzle very lightly with honey and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Fry the bacon nice and crispy so you don’t end up with any chewy bites.
- No need to peel the apples. I think the skin adds a gorgeous pop of color to the dish!
- Cut the brie into small, bite-sized chunks so it melts evenly. If the pieces are too big, they may not soften all the way through.
- Tuck the apple slices into the brie at a little angle so they fan out. It makes the cups look extra pretty once they’re baked.
- Go light on the honey drizzle. A little sweetness goes a long way and keeps the cups from getting soggy.
- For an extra pop of flavor, sprinkle on chopped pecans, dried cranberries, or a touch of cinnamon.
- Mix things up by swapping the apples for pears or figs for a fun twist on the classic brie apple combo.
- Ingredients to prep ahead- Cook and crumble the bacon, slice the apple (tossed in lemon juice), and cut the brie into cubes.
- Leftovers and storage- Leftovers keep in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven so the shells stay crisp. Freezing isn’t recommended as phyllo loses its crunch and turns soggy.
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