Tomato Feta Bites are flavorful appetizers that are made with pre- baked frozen phyllo cups. They would be good at any time of the year and they make the perfect easy appetizers for New Year’s Eve or your next party during the holiday season.
This simple recipe combines crispy phyllo pastry shells, creamy feta, fresh tomatoes, and aromatic herbs for a delightful bite-sized treat.
This cute little appetizer can be assembled in minutes. Baking the tomatoes will intensify the vibrant flavor and enhance even winter tomatoes. Warm baked feta cheese gives them a great salty bite.
Tomato Feta Bites are pretty and make a tasty appetizer. If you you like this combination you should check out Baked Feta Ziti and make it into an amazing feta pasta dinner. This combination also makes a great topping for Tomato Feta Chicken. If you like burst cherry tomatoes check out Creamy Burst Tomato Corn Polenta.
If you want to try another delicious appetizer made with simple ingredients in a phyllo cup pastry base check out Brie Fig Jam Bites. Some other easy recipes for appetizers are Air Fryer Pita Chips, Caprese Flatbread, Crab Fritters, Mac & Cheese Balls and Crabbies.
SOME THINGS TO KNOW:FAQ’S
INGREDIENT TIPS:
- Phyllo cups are light, flaky layers of phyllo dough that are formed into a mini pastry cup. They are fully baked to a golden brown and are ready to be filled. You can locate them in the frozen food sections of most major supermarkets.
- Opt for a block of feta cheese and cube it yourself for fresher taste and better texture. Pre-crumbed feta can be drier. Read about All the Types of Feta Cheese You Should Be Eating.
- Use ripe but firm tomatoes for the best flavor and to prevent them from becoming too mushy when baked.
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
- Cutting Board and Sharp Knife: These are essential for cutting the feta, cherry tomatoes and green onions. A sharp knife ensures a clean cut without squishing the cheese or tomatoes.
- Vegetable Peeler: Makes removing the white rind from the brie very easy.
- Baking Sheet, Sheet Pan or Baking Dish: Necessary for baking the cups in the oven.
- Parchment Paper: Optional but handy for a quick clean up.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- If you want to substitute the feta cheese, try goat cheese for a creamier texture or mozzarella for a milder flavor.
- If you do not have green onions, for a milder onion flavor use finely chopped chives. Red onion can add a bit of color and a stronger flavor profile.
- The dried basil can be substituted with dried oregano or Italian seasoning.
- You can use different fresh herbs in place of the fresh parsley. Fresh oregano or fresh basil leaves would be good substitutes.
- The cherry tomatoes can be replaced with fresh plum tomatoes, roma tomatoes,
HOW TO STORE TOMATO FETA BITES:
- Tomato Feta Bites can be refrigerated for up to 2-3 days. Make sure that they are cooled to room temperature and place the bites into an airtight container.
- The tomato feta bites can be frozen for up to 3 months. Cool the bites to room temperature. Arrange the bites on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze them until solid. This step prevents them from sticking together. Transfer the frozen bites into a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container.
- Freezing may affect the texture of the tomatoes and pastry. It is better to freeze them without the tomato topping and add fresh tomatoes when you’re ready to serve.
HOW TO REHEAT TOMATO FETA BITES:
- To reheat the tomato feta bites in the oven, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bites on a baking sheet. Heat for about 5-10 minutes or until they are warmed through and the pastry is crispy again.
- While not ideal for crispiness, you can use a microwave for a quick warm-up. Heat the bites in 30-second intervals, checking for warmth. Note that this method might make the pastry shells a bit chewy or soggy.
Tomato Feta Bites
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Ingredients
- 1 package frozen phyllo pastry shells (15 count)
- 15 cubes feta cheese, cut into ½ squares
- 12 grape or cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters
- 1 large green onion, cut into thin slices
- ¼ teaspoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped fine ( dried parsley can be substituted)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
Crumble 1 cube of feta cheese into each phyllo cup.
In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, green onions and basil. Make sure the tomatoes have been coated with the basil.
Place 3 tomato pieces on top of the crumbled feta in the cups.
Add 3 pieces of the green onions to each cup.
Bake for 15 minutes, rotating them halfway through so they cook evenly.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle a bit of chopped parsley over the top of each cup.
Serve at once.
Notes
You can assemble these several hours before baking them.
