When I have friends or family over, I like to serve quick and easy appetizers so I won’t miss out on any of the fun. These cheesy bites are perfect for gatherings.
We’ve all been there. We invite the world to our house, plan the most extravagant multi-course meal complete with five different appetizers, and then spend the rest of the night reheating, refilling, and reiterating to guests that we’re fine. You do know what I’m talking about, right? Talk about putting too much on our plate! Luckily, I’ve come to the realization that planning ahead and choosing easy dishes is the way to go. Plus, just one or two straightforward but delicious appetizers will suffice. The point, after all, is to enjoy the company of your guests, not spend the entire evening in the kitchen.
This is why I love these spinach-Parmesan appetizer bites. They are a breeze to make and don’t require any fancy ingredients. Filled with spinach, mushrooms, and savory Parmesan, they emerge from the oven golden brown and totally irresistible. If you want, feel free to change things up by using different vegetables or types of cheeses. For example, try sweet peppers or sun-dried tomatoes along with basil and mozzarella for an Italian twist. Or spinach, feta, and juicy black olives for a Mediterranean version. They’re lovely as is or served with a tangy sauce.
Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
Yes and no. There are pros and cons to using pre-shredded cheese. A pro is that it’s convenient, quick, and easy! Just open the bag and add to the dish. A con is that pre-shredded cheese is typically coated with anti-caking agents, which keep the strands from sticking. Unfortunately, the coating may affect the melting quality of the cheese. You probably won’t get the same gooey results.
How do I store leftovers?
If there are leftovers, which would be surprising, just pop them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 4 days. Although these are fine at room temperature, I personally don’t enjoy cold cheese or biscuits. So I either heat them in the microwave for 45 seconds or in the oven at 350°F for 7-10 minutes. You can also flash-freeze the bites for 1 hour before freezing them in a Ziploc bag for up to 3 months.
Serving suggestions
The main theme of this appetizer is quick and easy. However, quick and easy doesn’t mean boring. So here are a few suggestions of other quick and easy appetizers to complement this.
Who doesn’t love Pigs In A Blanket? They’re the ultimate game-day appetizer. Fruit Skewers are always a great way to add freshness and color to your appetizer menu. And they require zero cooking. Finally, if you want something refreshing for your guests to wash everything down, whip up a pitcher of this Sparkling Bunny Easter Drink. And don’t worry. It tastes delicious even if it isn’t Easter!
Spinach-Parmesan Appetizer Bites
Ingredients
- 1 can refrigerated jumbo biscuits (16.3 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup fresh mushrooms sliced
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- On a parchment-lined baking sheet, flatten each biscuit until about doubled in size.
- Drizzle olive oil onto each flat biscuit. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic salt.
- Top half of the biscuit with spinach, mushrooms, and cheese. Be careful not to place ingredients on the edge of the biscuit.
- Fold over the other half of the biscuit and press the edges together with a fork to seal.
- Bake 10-12 minutes or until puffy and golden brown.
- Cut in half and serve.
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