Surprise your kids with this fun after school snack - mini fillo (phyllo) shells, stuffed with apple, Cheddar and bacon. Thanks to Athens Foods for sponsoring this post and helping me to share this recipe with you.
I warned you in my slow cooker shredded chicken post the other day. This is the post where I shamelessly weep on your shoulders, soliciting sympathy.
Outwardly, I am rejoicing and putting on the dutiful "good mother" face when I send my eldest son (M) off to middle school each morning. Inwardly, I am having a small emotional breakdown and dramatically lifting my hands to the sky, silently questioning why he must enter this world of really tall older kids, questionable choices brought on by raging hormones and smelly gym clothes.
But then I remember something.
This is about M, not me. And for him, this is a rite of passage, an initiation of sorts into another phase of his life.
And there's something else. Now I'm bringing this right back to me again. He still needs his mum and dad.
He still looks to us for comfort and for wisdom. However, I realize the "wisdom" thing will come to a screeching halt in a couple of years when, like most teenagers, he reaches the decision that his parents are complete morons.
For now that's okay. For now, I can still make him special after school snacks. I can still listen to him give me the blow-by-blow of his lunchtime soccer games. I can still tuck him into bed each night, just as I did when he was a preschooler. He still looks at me through those innocent blue eyes and I hold onto that...fiercely.
When M and T (my big fourth-grader!) come home after school, we chat about their day over a snack. Sometimes it's just carrot sticks and hummus, but other times I like to surprise the boys with a fun treat, typically one that takes no more than a few minutes to put together.
I always have a package of Athens Fillo shells in my freezer and, since it doesn't take anytime to defrost the shells, they are perfect for last-minute snacks. My mother-in-law makes an amazing apple pie and it's always better with a slice of Cheddar cheese on the side. Those flavors inspired this snack. A few diced apples, a dash of cinnamon and honey and grated Cheddar cheese. Oh yeah, and some bacon crumbles. And it's all tucked into crunchy fillo shells.
Salty, sweet, quick...and a hit with the kids.
The recipe:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a medium sized bowl, stir together the apple, cinnamon and honey (or agave nectar) until the apples are coated. Gently stir in the Cheddar cheese.
Place the fillo shells on a baking sheet, and spoon the apple mixture into the fillo shells, packing slightly.
Sprinkle the bacon evenly over the apple mixture.
Bake until the cheese is melted and the fillo shells are just starting to brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Serve.
Other mini fillo tart recipes:
Cookin' Canuck's No-Bake Zucchini Bread Granola Bites {Gluten-Free & Vegan}
Cookin' Canuck's Asparagus Hummus for Healthy Snacking
Oh My Veggies' Sneaky Green Apple Fruit Leather
Nourish 'Em's Banana Quinoa Muffins
Sally's Baking Addiction's Baked Cinnamon Apple Chips
Printable Recipe
Mini Apple, Cheddar & Bacon Fillo Snack Tart Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup diced Gala apple
- ½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave nectar
- 15 Athens mini fillo shells 1 package
- 1 ½ strips cooked bacon crumbled
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a medium sized bowl, stir together the apple, cinnamon and honey (or agave nectar) until the apples are coated. Gently stir in the Cheddar cheese.
- Place the fillo shells on a baking sheet, and spoon the apple mixture into the fillo shells, packing slightly.
- Sprinkle the bacon evenly over the apple mixture.
- Bake until the cheese is melted and the fillo shells are just starting to brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Nutmeg Nanny
Oh goodness, what an absolutely perfect snack 🙂 looks so tasty!!
martha@ simple nourished living
Love these apple cheddar bacon bites. I've bookmarked them for when it feels a little more like fall here in Phoenix. I grew up back east in apple orchard country so apples will always be a favorite food of mine. Love that each little bite has just 36 calories too!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Martha. I think I'm trying to encourage fall to arrive a little sooner by making these. It is, without a doubt, my favorite season.
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love.
These look so yummy! Can I eat them as an adult snack? 😉
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Absolutely, Stephanie!
Laurie {Simply Scratch}
This is the perfect snack to come home too! My girls would LOVE these on their first day of school! Great idea Dara!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Laurie. My boys were pretty darn happy when they walked through the door and saw the snack I had planned for them.
Rachel Cooks
I just LOVE keeping these fillo shells in my freezer. So versatile! Love what you did with them.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Rachel. I make sure that I always have at least one package of the shells in our freezer. They're so handy to have around.
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking
I don't have any little ones, but I know I would LOVE this fun, easy and healthy snack! Great appetizer for parties, too!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Georgia. These definitely aren't just for kids. And yes, they would be perfect for parties!
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction
What a fun afternoon snack! Love the flavor combination!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Jessica. Apples and cheddar are a classic combo, for certain.
Crystal @ Simply Playful Fare
These are so cute! What a great flavor combination. I love fillo cup appetizers. 🙂
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Crystal. I had fun coming up with this combination for my boys.
Ali | Gimme Some Oven
I love the apple-cheddar-bacon combo! And these sweet boys are so lucky to have you as a mom as they grow up (and into those tall boys at school)! 🙂
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Aww, thank you, Ali. And I can't imagine them turning into those tall boys, though I know it's not that far away.
Liz
Nice recipes. Thank you Dara.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you, Liz.
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
Even though I don't have kids, I'm thinking this would be an excellent after work snack too! Love apples and cheese:)
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
You're right...it's no reason that these should be just for kids. I adore apples and cheese, too.
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
I love fillo shells for quick sweet or savory snacks. These are the best of both worlds!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Laura. They really are handy for quick appetizers or desserts.
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes
What a healthy way to change up apple pie.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Barbara! Since I'm not a great pie maker, I was glad to find these little shells.
Sommer @ ASpicyPerspective
Delicious combo! Love that these can be made super-quickly too!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Sommer! Yes, those little fillo shells are so great to have on hand for quick snacks/appetizers/desserts.
Jamie
Mmmmm, I've been craving apple and cheddar recently! Yum!!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Jamie. Apple and Cheddar always makes a great snack.
Tieghan
Apple and cheddar are such and amazing combo! These little bites would be so delicious for after school or anytime!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I agree, Tieghan! I was so excited that my kids like these as much as they did.
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
I have so many wonderful memories of coming home from school to apple slices with sharp cheddar cheese. This snack recipe takes it to the next level!!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I have those same memories, Liz. There's something about that combination that just "works".
link
I've been looking for a post like this for an age