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    Home » Appetizers

    Light Pumpkin Queso Phyllo Bites

    Published: Oct 9, 2017 · Modified: May 23, 2019 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 1 Comment

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    Each bite of these light but gloriously cheesy and crispy pumpkin queso phyllo bites make tailgating and fall party snacking even better. Thank you to Athens Foods for helping me share this recipe with you.
    Each bite of these light but gloriously cheesy and crispy pumpkin queso phyllo bites make tailgating and fall party snacking even better. 75 calories and 2 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

    I can’t tell a lie. The first time I tried a queso dip, I was not a fan. It had something to do — no, it had everything to do — with the main ingredient, which was a block of neon orange processed cheese. You know the one I’m talking about — the-cheese-that-shall-not-be-named.

    I avoided queso dips like the plague for years after that first bite. That is, until a friend convinced me to try her homemade version, which didn’t include a single cube of processed cheese, and it resulted in me planting myself beside the appetizer table for the rest of the evening.

    As much as I adored my friend’s dip, the old saying, “A minute on the lips, a lifetime on the hips,” popped into my head with every bite. So, I set out to make a skinnier version, which resulted in this light pumpkin queso, dolloped into Athens Mini Fillo Shells for a perfectly cheesy bite.

    These Light Pumpkin Queso Phyllo Bites are the perfect cheesy appetizer to serve at your Halloween or tailgating party. 75 calories and 2 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

    If you are a regular visitor here, you know that I am a die-hard fan of the Athens Mini Fillo Shells. I keep them stocked in my freezer throughout the year for quick appetizers and desserts. But as soon as the holiday season hits, I triple-load them into my grocery cart so I can fill every appetizer plate with bite-sized treats, from Halloween to New Year’s Eve.

    With Halloween just around the corner and squash overflowing from the produce bins at every grocery store and farmers market, I was feeling inspired to make something pumpkin-laden that could be served at any tailgating or Halloween party. And the kids don’t even need to know that the phyllo bites include something healthy (“full of antioxidants and nutrients” isn’t usually a big selling point for the younger set). Just tell them that the orange color is thanks to the handful of cheddar cheese.

    If you’ve ever cooked with the Mini Fillo Shells, you know that they typically defrost within the time it takes to make the filling. Whether you’re whipping up a hummus, hoisin mushroom appetizer or smoked salmon & pesto filling, as soon as the filling is ready and dolloped into the fillo shells, they’ll be ready to serve! For these Light Pumpkin Queso Phyllo Bites, give them a very quick blast under the broiler to make sure that the cheese is gooey and hot.

    You won't be able to eat just one of these Light Pumpkin Queso Phyllo Bites! 75 calories and 2 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

    If you’re serving these up at a Halloween or tailgating party and are a fan of beer, grab a pint of pumpkin ale to serve alongside the bites. Gooey cheese washed down with a smooth, spiced beer? Autumnal heaven!

    Each bite of these light but gloriously cheesy and crispy pumpkin queso phyllo bites make tailgating and fall party snacking even better. 75 calories and 2 Weight Watchers Freestyle SP

    Light Pumpkin Queso Phyllo Bites

    Each bite of these light but gloriously cheesy and crispy pumpkin queso phyllo bites make tailgating and fall party snacking even better.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizers, Appetizers For Entertaining
    Cuisine: Southwestern
    Keyword: Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 15 Servings
    Calories: 74.6kcal
    Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

    Ingredients

    • 30 Athens Mini Fillo Shells 2 boxes, 15 count each, defrosted
    • ½ cup low sodium vegetable broth
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 1 teaspoon olive oil
    • ½ small yellow onion diced
    • ⅔ cup canned pumpkin not pumpkin pie filling
    • 1 chipotle pepper seeded & diced
    • 1 teaspoon adobo sauce from chipotle pepper can
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
    • 1 ⅓ cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese
    • 1 tablespoon minced cilantro
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    Instructions

    • Preheat the broiler. Arrange the mini fillo shells on a baking sheet.
    • In a medium bowl, whisk together the vegetable broth and cornstarch.
    • Heat the olive oil in a medium nonstick skillet set over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
    • Add the broth mixture, pumpkin, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, cumin, salt and pepper, and whisk until combined.
    • Bring to a boil, whisking, and cook until the mixture is thickened, about 2 minutes. Add the Cheddar cheese and stir until the cheese is melted.
    • Scoop about 1 ½ teaspoons of the queso into each fillo shell. Put under the broiler for 1 minute. Watch carefully so that the shells don’t burn.
    • Sprinkle with cilantro. Serve.

    Notes

    Weight Watchers Points: 2 (Freestyle SmartPoints), 2 (Old SmartPoints), 2 (Points+)

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2Phyllo Bites | Calories: 74.6kcal | Carbohydrates: 6.1g | Protein: 3.3g | Fat: 4.6g | Saturated Fat: 2.2g | Cholesterol: 8.9mg | Sodium: 129.9mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 0.5g
    Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

    Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Athens Foods. All opinions are my own. This post contains links to my Amazon affiliate page. Any revenue made from sales through these links helps to support this blog. Thank you!

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      Comments

      1. Edwina at Induction Cooking

        October 11, 2017 at 5:06 am

        I love your ideas on these bites. Healthier is such a great idea but I also love that you're using the filo shells for convenience. Can't wait to try this recipe. Like you said, it should be very handy for appetizers for lots of different events coming up.

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      I'm Dara, a Canadian living in the U.S. and sharing my favorite healthy recipes. My cooking motto is that healthy eating never needs to be boring!

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