This Super Simple 2-Ingredient Appetizer Belongs at Your Holiday Party

I rarely make complicated appetizers when I host people at my home. I have enough to do, and putting out a simple spread while the main meal is coming together is one of the ways I make entertaining manageable.

When I host Thanksgiving, my go-to appetizer is a three-ingredient, no-bake pumpkin-cream cheese dip. This Boursin-filled puff pastry tarte or these easy cheese pinwheels would also be welcome on my table. All these easy appetizers only require two or three store-bought ingredients and are easy to throw together in a pinch.

Another handy pre-made appetizer ingredient? Phyllo shells. Phyllo dough makes the foundation of many incredible dishes worth the time they take to make, like spanakopita, baklava, and burek. But when you’re short on time, frozen phyllo shells are the base of countless yummy savory treats, and they’re convenient when you need a quick, hot appetizer.

2-Ingredient Baked Spinach Artichoke Phyllo Shells

On TikTok, mealsandmunchies posted a video with the simplest two-ingredient appetizer that will come in handy during the holidays or whenever you need something easy for a small bite plate. Brooke, the voice behind the account, makes the whole dish with a baby on her hip. In addition to phyllo shells, she has a container of store-bought spinach artichoke dip. 

She puts the phyllo shells on the greased baking sheet and then spoons spinach artichoke dip into each one. She bakes them at 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) for five minutes. She doesn't mention this, but you should allow the frozen cups to come to room temperature before filling them. Fortunately, because they’re so thin, that only takes 10 to 15 minutes.

Brooke also adds shredded Parmesan cheese, although she says it’s unnecessary. That would make this a three-ingredient app, but if you buy pre-shredded Parm (not shelf-stable grated Parm), it would take about half a minute to add. 

She used a dip container that was big enough to fill more than one box of phyllo shells, so with two boxes of shells and one container of dip, you’ll have a tray of hot mini appetizers that seem fancy but couldn’t be easier.

Other Fillings for Phyllo Shell Appetizers

Although we haven’t tried it, the Stonemill Kitchens Creamy Cranberry Jalapeño Premium Dip would also work well in this recipe. Just use it in place of the spinach artichoke dip.

Commenters on the video made other suggestions, such as adding cooked breakfast sausage to the spinach artichoke dip in the shells or doing something different, filling them with pulled pork and cheese before baking, then topping them with green onion and a dollop of sour cream. 

We have a few simple recipes here on Allrecipes that start with phyllo shells and make quick and easy appetizers.

• Brie Cups: phyllo shells filled with cubes of brie and a little raspberry jam, then baked.
• Blue Cheese and Pear Tartlets: phyllo shells filled with chopped pear, blue cheese, and a little cream.
• Jalapeño Popper Cups: Make a filling of cream cheese, Cheddar, jalapeños, and hot sauce, and use it to fill the phyllo shells. 

If you have a box of phyllo shells, some savory dip, or some cheese and veggies, you have the makings of a super simple appetizer for any holiday celebration.