Rustic Barnyard Cheese Nests (Print view)

Golden phyllo nests crowned with savory farmhouse cheeses and a drizzle of honey, perfect for easy entertaining.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Phyllo Hay

01 - 7 oz shredded phyllo dough (kataifi)
02 - 3 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
03 - 1 tsp olive oil
04 - Pinch of sea salt

→ Cheeses

05 - 7 oz farmhouse cheddar, cut into rustic hunks
06 - 5 1/4 oz aged gouda, cut into rustic hunks
07 - 5 1/4 oz tomme de Savoie or other semi-soft farmhouse cheese, cut into rustic hunks

→ Garnishes (optional)

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

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Set oven to 350°F (180°C) to prepare for baking.
02 - Gently separate shredded phyllo dough in a bowl. Drizzle with melted butter, olive oil, and sprinkle sea salt. Toss lightly to coat evenly.
03 - Shape small nests approximately 2-2.5 inches wide on parchment-lined baking sheet, pressing lightly to maintain form.
04 - Bake nests for 10–12 minutes until golden and crisp. Remove and allow to cool to room temperature.
05 - Arrange cooled phyllo nests on serving platter. Top each with a rustic chunk of farmhouse cheese.
06 - Add fresh thyme sprigs on top. Optionally drizzle honey and finish with cracked black pepper before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • These crispy-outside, creamy-inside bites come together in under 35 minutes, making them perfect when you need something that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen.
  • The phyllo nests stay gloriously crunchy even after plating, unlike pastry that goes soggy—that's the magic of kataifi.
  • Swapping cheeses is endlessly fun; your platter becomes a conversation starter about farmhouse varieties and flavor profiles.
02 -
  • Kataifi must be loosened gently and coated thoroughly with fat, or it'll bake into a dense brick instead of a light, crispy nest—I learned this by ignoring the loosening step once and regretted it.
  • Don't skip cooling the nests completely before plating; they firm up as they cool, and warm phyllo can collapse under the weight of cheese.
03 -
  • If your phyllo nests spread too thin while baking, you packed them too loosely; next time, press them just a bit more firmly into shape before they go into the oven.
  • Drizzle honey only right before serving so it stays glossy and doesn't soak into the phyllo and make it soft.
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