Rustic Phyllo Cheese Nests (Printable Version)

Golden phyllo nests paired with rustic cheeses, thyme, and honey, perfect for elegant appetizer moments.

# What You'll Need:

→ Phyllo Hay

01 - 7 oz shredded phyllo dough (kataifi)
02 - 3.5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
03 - 1 tsp olive oil
04 - Pinch of sea salt

→ Cheeses

05 - 7 oz farmhouse cheddar, cut into rustic chunks
06 - 5.3 oz aged gouda, cut into rustic chunks
07 - 5.3 oz tomme de Savoie or other semi-soft farmhouse cheese, cut into rustic chunks

→ Garnishes (optional)

08 - Fresh thyme sprigs
09 - Honey for drizzling
10 - Cracked black pepper

# How-To Steps:

01 - Set the oven temperature to 350°F (180°C).
02 - Loosen and separate shredded phyllo dough in a mixing bowl. Drizzle with melted butter, olive oil, and sprinkle sea salt. Toss gently to coat evenly.
03 - Shape the phyllo mixture into small nests approximately 2–2.5 inches wide on a parchment-lined baking sheet, pressing lightly to maintain their structure.
04 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the nests turn golden and crisp. Remove from oven and allow to cool to room temperature.
05 - Arrange phyllo nests on a serving platter and top each with a rustic chunk of farmhouse cheddar, aged gouda, and tomme de Savoie.
06 - Decorate with fresh thyme sprigs, drizzle honey lightly if desired, and finish with cracked black pepper.

# Tips for Success:

01 -
  • Those phyllo nests stay impossibly crisp even after an hour on a serving board, which means you can actually relax instead of stress.
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when it's genuinely just twenty minutes of actual work.
  • Every bite is a contrast—shattered, salty phyllo against creamy, tangy cheese—and honestly, that's the kind of thing guests remember.
02 -
  • Don't let the phyllo dough sit uncovered after you toss it with butter, or it'll start to dry out and lose that crispy texture you're after.
  • Room-temperature cheese tastes better than cold cheese—the flavors open up and the texture is creamy instead of dense.
  • If your phyllo nests collapse or soften, they're still delicious, just not as theatrical; serve them immediately rather than letting them sit.
03 -
  • Don't rush the cooling—phyllo continues to crisp as it cools, and patience here is the difference between shattered texture and chewy nests.
  • Use a pastry brush to distribute butter evenly if you want perfectly golden nests, but honestly, gentle tossing with your hands gets the job done and feels more honest.
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