Back Road Journal

food

Shrimp Cocktail Phyllo Bites

3 min read apples4sell

Serve these super easy Shrimp Cocktail Phyllo Bites at your next cocktail party, at the beginning of a small dinner party or at any festive celebration and they will be an instant hit. What could be better than a crispy phyllo cup filled with creamy cheese, cocktail sauce and a bite size shrimp sitting on top.

Shrimp Cocktail Phyllo Bites

Everyone loves a shrimp cocktail but unless you are sitting at a table, you might think twice about dipping a large shrimp into cocktail sauce while dressed in your best outfit at a party. Finger food is always nice as it can be eaten in one or two bites and these little shrimp cocktail phyllo bites make a great party appetizer.

Shrimp Cocktail Phyllo Bites

Serves 4, adjust the recipe accordingly

  • 1 box of (15) frozen phyllo cups*
  • 1/2 of an 8 oz. container of whipped cream cheese
  • 2 – 3 Tbsp. sour cream, crème fraîche or yogurt
  • 1/2 tsp. more or less, fresh lemon juice
  • a drop or two of Worcestershire sauce
  • a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper
  • 1/4 c. cocktail sauce
  • 15 small fully cooked shrimp
  • 1 or 2 romaine leaves, finely chopped (optional)

*The phyllo cups are fully cooked but I like to bake them in a 350 degree oven for about 5 minutes for extra crispness.

In a small bowl, stir together 4 oz. of whipped cream cheese, the sour cream, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Season with the garlic powder, onion power, salt and pepper and mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Spoon the mixture into a ziplock bag and seal. Cut off a small tip of the bag and pipe into the phyllo cups (about 2/3 full). Drizzle the cheese mixture with cocktail sauce and top with a shrimp. Sprinkle a little finely chopped lettuce leaves on top, if desired.

Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes. You can make your cheese spread and seal in a ziplock bag the day before serving. Do not fill the phyllo cups until right before serving so that they keep their crunch.

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Crunchy, creamy, and a little spicy from the cocktail sauce, these shrimp cocktail phyllo bites are delicious and the nice thing about them is that they take less than 15 minutes to put together. I brought them to a friend’s dinner party and the shrimp bites also  travel well. After filling the cups completely, I placed them back into the plastic holder they originally came in and then put them in a plastic storage container to take to the party. I do hope that you get a chance to serve the mini shrimp cocktail phyllo bites to your friends and family over the course of the next year as I believe they will be a hit with everyone who tries them.

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Shrimp Cocktail Phyllo Bites And Champagne

As this year comes to a close, I’m always reminded that when people gather together at midnight on New Year’s Eve and sing Auld Lang Syne, they pledge that whatever may change in their lives, that old friends will not be forgotten. You, my friends, are what makes writing Back Road Journal such a pleasure and you will always have a place in my heart. May the coming year be a healthy and happy one and I look forward to your next visit.

 

 

167 comments

  3. These look perfect, Karen — whether one’s wearing (good) clothes or not! I just got out a package of frozen shrimp, toying with ideas of what I’d make for me and my husband this New Year’s Eve. I was going to make a pasta dish, but I also spied some phyllo in the freezer, sheets, not cups, though. We’ll see how ambitious I feel in a couple hours.
    I so enjoy your blog — wishing you a happy and healthy new year; may all you wish for come true.

    Reply

    1. So happy to hear from you Rosemary, you have been missed. I hope all is well with you. Thank you for your kind words about my blog, the recipe and the wish…they are very much appreciated.

      Reply

    1. I appreciate your nice compliment and wish Kay. You are always one of the first readers to comment on what I write about on my blog…whether it is a recipe or one of my travel adventures. 😀 Thank you.

      Reply

  7. What a delicious way to end the year–or start the new one. Wishing you a happy, healthy and delicious new year.

    Best,
    Bonnie

    Reply

    1. Thank you Angie, for your nice compliment and wish. You are right, this is a healthy little appetizer with about only 30 calories each.

      Reply

  14. These are (almost!) too pretty to eat Karen! We’re going to a new Years party with friends tonight– wishing they had these for our celebration!! Here’s to a wonderful year ahead– I’m waiting to see where your travels take you… xox

    Reply

    1. Hi Rhonda, your nice compliment gave me a smile. The shrimp cocktail bites do make a pretty little appetizer but they are so good they quickly disappear. 😀 Thank you for following along on my travel adventures…I’ll have more up soon.

      Reply

    1. Hi Bobbie, This is indeed a very simple appetizer to put together but does make a nice presentation. I’m glad you like it thank you.

      Reply

    1. Happy New Year to you too Judy. Thank you, if I’m ever in Colorado it would definitely be fun to get together over some of these little shrimp bites and a glass of wine. 😀

      Reply

    1. I totally agree with you Julie…this little appetizer is a real winner. Thank you for your nice compliment and take care. Oh and chew only on the right side if you try one. 😀

      Reply

    1. Hi Judy, I can testify that the shrimp cocktail bites are as good as they look. Enjoy the warmth or should I say semi warmth during your travels.

      Reply

  26. Happy New Year: ours seems to be over 12 hours old, Auld Lang Syne having been sung after a wonderful fireworks display on Sydney Harbour . . . 1.6 million on the foreshores, 46% of them tourists, mostly from Europe and Asia . . . Lovely recipe – phyllo cups are so useful for many such dishes: actually very quick to make at home . . . and fresh prawns are always moreish . . .

    Reply

    1. Hi Eha, Yes, Sydney does indeed have a spectacular celebration. Thank you for your compliment and yes, prawns are definitely moreish. 🙂

      Reply

  27. Those little phyllo cups are so much fun, aren’t they? And what a way to fill them — this looks SO GOOD! Nice recipe — thanks. Happy New Year!

    Reply

  30. This sounds like a great recipe, Karen. I need something quick to put together these days. Thanks for the tip on using the empty carton from the shells–even to store them in the fridge before serving. Thank you so much.

    Wishing you and yours a wonderful and blessed New Year!

    Jane

    Reply

    1. Hi Jane, I think this would be a perfect little appetizer to serve at one of your family gatherings. Thank you for your nice compliment and wish.

      Reply

  34. I love working with phyllo dough, but I have never made such cute cups with it. I would love them, especially with those shrimps inside. Happy New Year!

    Reply

    1. Hi Adina, Using mini muffin tins to make phyllo cups is easy but using the frozen little phyllo cups that I can buy makes this shrimp cocktail a snap to put together. Happy New Year to you too.

      Reply

    1. Thank you for your nice compliment Didi. I’m going to miss not having your blog to read anymore. Take care my friend and I wish you all the best in this new year.

      Reply

    1. Thank you so much Doreen for your lovely comment. I know you are anxious to get your new home built and start entertaining again. It took a year for our home to be built in Florida so I know exactly how you feel. 🙂

      Reply

    1. Hi Judi, Every time I serve shrimp at a cocktail party, they usually draw a crowd. These were much easier to eat in the little phyllo cup.

      Reply

      1. It’s a great idea Karen – I just never thought about using phyllo cups that way. Everyone knows me and my love for shrimp and there is always shrimp at any gathering I ever have. Can’t wait to try your idea out at my next opportunity 🙂

        Reply

  47. Karen,
    I’m not certain if we can get phyllo cups in the Netherlands but we can get packets of phyllo sheets, and I have mini-muffin pans so could make my own. I am saving this recipe to use at my next set of dinner guests: these would make prefect appetisers / nibble bits to give to guests as they arrive, especially if you have several sets of guests and some arrive earlier than others. Thanks for the recipe and Happy New Year!!!

    Reply

    1. Hi Kiwidutch, Yes you can certainly use phyllo sheets and mini muffin tins to make these little bites. I’m glad that you like the recipe and I hope you and your guests will as well. Thank you for your lovely compliment and wish.

      Reply

  50. As a tradition Mark and I started as 1999 turned to the year 2000, we have an appetizer every hour starting at 11am, and finishing at 7pm. We always a glass and celebrate the New Year on Paris time, so we needn’t feel silly going to bed at 9pm! This year, we added these bites to our menu… although I had to use pie crust tart shells and goat cheese. (I couldn’t face the grocery store one last time!) They were delicious! The goat cheese – fresh chèvre – was a great switch for the cream cheese!

    Reply

    1. Hi David, I just found your comment in my spam file…you and one other one. Thank you for letting me know that you tried the recipe and I like how you improvised as I know how crowded the stores were. 😀

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  52. What a fun appetizer idea, Karen! I didn’t see this one in time for New Year’s Eve or else I probably would have made a batch! But we’re heading into football playoff season, and that means appetizer season in our house. We love cocktail shrimp, but I’ve never thought about “fancy-ing” them up into phyllo bites. Great idea! Happy New Year, my friend!

    Reply

    1. Thank you David, I’m glad you like these little shrimp cocktail bites. Yes, football playoffs does mean a lot of finger food opportunities.

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    1. Hi Grace, Aren’t they terrific. Having a box of the little cups and puff pastry in the freezer really come in handy for both savory and sweet bites.

      Reply

  55. Hi Karen – I love these little shrimp bites! So delicious, the perfect little app. I just put a bag of shrimp in the freezer. We will def. enjoy these in 2108. Your china is stunning. I love the gold. It reminds me of my mom’s. Happy New Year to you and your family! XO

    Reply

    1. Thank you Allie, I hope you get a chance to try this little appetizer sometime this year. I’m glad you like the china, it is a vintage pattern that I love. Stay warm my friend.

      Reply

    1. Thank you Julia, you are right. The shrimp cocktail phyllo bites go perfect with a glass of bubbly or perhaps a glass of sauvignon blanc. 🙂

      Reply

    1. Hi Amy, It seems everyone loves shrimp at a party and I agree that this is a little more special way of serving them. Thank you for your nice wish and compliment.

      Reply

    1. Thank you for your pin Marcelle, I’m glad you want to try the little shrimp cocktail phyllo cups. I hope you enjoy them as much as my friends did.

      Reply

  66. I’m blaming the weather for my present lack of will power when it comes to food. I never have any problems in the run up to Christmas, Karen, but as soon as Jan 1st arrives I’m pouching away like Hammy Hamster! The sooner the cupboard is bare, the better 🙂 🙂 Happy 2018, hon!

    Reply

    1. Hi Joanne, Thank you for stopping by for a visit. I’m happy to know that you like the recipe and I appreciate your compliment and wish. Hope to see you again. 🙂

      Reply

    1. Hi Sha, I totally agree with you about the versatility of phyllo cups. They are good in savory bites like this as well as sweet little desserts. Thank you for your nice compliment.

      Reply

    1. I appreciate your dropping by for a visit Marcellina. Thank you for your lovely compliment, I’m happy to know that you like the recipe.

      Reply

  70. Happy New Year, Karen! I very much enjoy reading your blog and looking forward to what you are going to share in 2018. What a lovely little appetizer – just perfect for a party!

    Miriam x

    Reply

    1. Thank you for your nice compliment Inger and I’m glad you liked the tip. The little tray the cups come in was very good to keep the shrimp cocktail bites secure to take to our friends home. I filled them, put them back in the little tray and then put it in a storage container that was tall enough to not crush them.

      Reply

  72. Hope you had a marvelous holiday. All the best to you and your family in 2018!
    Lovely recipe too. I love a new way to use phyllo shells, which I find so handy. Cheers!

    Reply

  74. Happy new year, Karen! I have some phyllo shells stashed in my freezer that I’ve been waiting to use. These shrimp cocktail bites sound perfect! Still have sparkling wine too 🙂 Cheers!

    Reply

    1. Thank you for your nice compliment Amalia. I’m happy to know that you enjoyed the post and recipe for the shrimp cocktail appetizer.

      Reply

  76. happy New Year Karen. Thanks for all your comments over 2017 and all the great stories. These are such a perfect party treat.

    Reply

  77. What delightful appetizers! I haven’t seen the phyllo cups in my local store but I always have tiny vols-au-vent in my freezer which could work. Hope this new year brings you health and happiness, Karen!

    Reply

    1. I appreciate your nice compliment Stacy, thank you. I think you idea will work. I find the phyllo cups in the frozen food section where you would find phyllo sheets and puff pastry.

      Reply

  81. These little shrimp cups look like the ultimate cocktail party finger food. I like the fact that finger food is easy to eat all in one bite. Nobody has to see what it is you’re eating, or quite how many either. GREG

    Reply

  83. Happy 2018 Karen!!!! Hope you had a wonderful holiday. Love these shrimp bites! A few steps up from the standard shrimp cocktail. Love them!

    Reply
  84. Pingback: Celebrate New Year’s Eve With Small Bites And A Glass of Bubbly – Back Road Journal

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