Rustic Barnyard Cheese Nests (Printer-Friendly)

Golden phyllo nests crowned with rustic farmhouse cheeses, thyme, and a honey drizzle for a charming appetizer.

# What You 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 Cook:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
02 - Loosen shredded phyllo dough and place in a bowl. Drizzle with melted butter, olive oil, and sea salt. Toss gently to coat evenly.
03 - On a parchment-lined baking sheet, form small nests approximately 2-2.5 inches wide by pressing lightly to hold shape.
04 - Bake nests for 10–12 minutes until golden and crisp. Remove and cool to room temperature.
05 - Arrange phyllo nests on a serving platter and top each with a rustic chunk of cheese. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs, drizzle honey if desired, and finish with cracked black pepper.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The phyllo crisps up so perfectly golden that everyone assumes you spent hours fussing, when really it's barely more than 20 minutes of work.
  • Those creamy, tangy farmhouse cheeses melting slightly against warm crispy nests feel fancy enough for an impressive spread but simple enough for a weeknight board.
02 -
  • Phyllo dough despises moisture and humidity—if your kitchen is warm or steamy, the dough can absorb it and refuse to crisp, so turn off the kettle and work quickly.
  • The butter-to-phyllo ratio matters more than you'd think; if it seems dry, add just a bit more melted butter, because under-coated phyllo will taste straw-like rather than buttery and tender.
03 -
  • If your phyllo dough clumps or breaks while handling, don't stress—those fragments crisps up just as golden and delicious, and you can use them to fill any gaps in your nests.
  • A tiny pinch of herbes de Provence stirred into the butter before coating the phyllo transforms these from rustic to subtly herbaceous, adding a layer of flavor that feels deliberate without announcing itself.
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