As soon as we go past my birthday in September, then we rush into Fall festivities preparations in my house. My kids are crazy about Halloween but I have to admit I’m partial to Thanksgiving. As soon as I think about Thanksgiving, I dream about turkey, stuffing, Sweet Potato Casserole, Homemade Cranberry Sauce etc. While I can’t make Thanksgiving dinner when it is not Thanksgiving yet (hello, 2 days of cooking lol) I can still make these Phyllo Shells Sweet Potato Bites to satisfy my cravings a little bit.
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What Are Phyllo Shells?
Phyllo (filo) is a dough separated in paper thin layers to make famous dishes like Baklava, Byrek (Borek or Burek), Fli, Spanakopitas etc. The art of rolling each layer by hand is really a skill many women in the Mediterranean, Balkans, Eastern Europe etc learn since their teenage years. However, there are also many automated ways to prepare these layers and since then the production of phyllo desserts and savory dishes has spread around the world.
Now not only there are phyllo dough sheets but also rolled ones, shells, cups etc. This makes it so much easier to get creative with the phyllo recipes.
I personally use the below phyllo shells because they are easily available in my local grocery store, but you can definitely try other brands available to you.
I usually use 2 boxes of 15 shells because I can fit 30 in one sheet pan. Line up the sheet pan with baking paper.
Toppings for Sweet Potato Bites
My Sweet Potato Casserole is one of the most requested Thanksgiving dishes. I get asked to make it even when we are not having the celebration in my house. I suspect it is because my casserole is loaded, I mean L-O-A-D-E-D with pecans and marshmallows, plus other goodies. I spare nothing when I cook that casserole, carbs and calories don’t count:)). But I also know that some people can’t have pecans or nuts overall and some others can’t have marshmallows. It’s a lot of work to make a 2nd casserole, but I don’t mind making these Phyllo Shells Sweet Potato Bites customized to everyone needs.
I love pecans and marshmallows over sweet potatoes. But if someone can’t have one or the other, or both I can make some shells without those toppings.
Phyllo Shells Sweet Potato Bites Recipe Notes
Here are some extra tips on top of the recipe steps to make a successful Sweet Potato Bites recipe. Serve them at home when you crave Thanksgiving food or at Fall Cocktail Parties. These bites make for perfect appetizer size desserts.
- Thaw the shells for several hours. If they are not well thawed, they might become mushy with the sweet potato mix and not bake well or hold their shape.
- You can bake or boil the sweet potatoes, it’s up to you. I prefer to bake them. Also, I tend to bake more than needed and use the rest of the sweet potatoes in salads or other dishes.
- Cool the sweet potatoes after baking before scooping them out. Keep in mind that even if the surface of the sweet potato has cooled, they might still be really hot in the center. So handle with care so you don’t get burned.
- I like using cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, brown sugar etc but you can go wrong with some substitutions. So if you crave these bites and don’t have all the seasonings, feel free to swap couple of ingredients out to your liking.
Phyllo Shells Sweet Potato Bites
Equipment
- Toaster Oven
- Hand Held Electrical Mixer
Ingredients
- 2 sweet potatoes
- 3 tbsps butter
- 1 egg
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch nutmeg
- pinch salt
- 0.5 tsp cinnamon
- 4 tbsps brown sugar
- 1 cup pecans (halves)
- 30 mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Bake sweet potatoes in a small baking dish at 400 degreed Fahrenheit for about 45 minutes or until you can pierce the sweet potatoes with a fork.
- Let the sweet potatoes cool then when cool enough to handle, cut them in half and scoop the middle with a spoon. Place whatever you are scooping in a bowl and try to get as close to the skin so you don't waste any part of the sweet potato.
- Chop half of the pecans and leave about 30 pecan halves un-chopped.
- Whisk the egg in a bowl with a fork then pour over the sweet potatoes. Add nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, sugar, chopped pecans and heavy cream. Also add melted butter. Mix this all up very well. You can also use a hand held electrical mixer to make a homogenous mix.
- Line up a sheet pan with baking paper. Arrange the phyllo shells so they don't touch. Fill them up with the sweet potato mix. Top each with a pecan half and a mini marshmallow.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit. You don't need to bake this too long since the shells are pre-baked and the sweet potato filling is very thin so it will cook fast. If you don't want the marshmallows to get golden brown on top, then add them during the last 5 minutes.
- Serve warm or room temperature. They're perfect for Fall cocktail parties.
Notes
- Total cooking time of 1 hr 45 minutes is broken down as follows:
- bake sweet potatoes for 45 minutes
- let cool for 30 minutes
- prep time 15 minutes for the filling
- bake again for 15 minutes
Nutrition Label
Nutrition
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Karen (Back Road Journal)
Your sweet potato phyllo cups would disappear quickly after our Thanksgiving meal. Not too sweet and small…that is a perfect ending to a holiday dinner.
Sonila
Thank you Karen, I appreciate it!! Yes, they’re small and perfect for after a big meal but still hold the flavor of sweet potato casserole.
Angela Greven | Mean Green Chef
I am always on the hunt for new holiday appetizers and I totally love these! Such a great flavor combination in a single bite, perfect! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Sonila
Thank you Angela:)) Your compliment means a lot because it comes from a real chef:)
Lathiya
I love to work with phyllo shells. It is so easy and versatile to make any quick bites and this sweet potato bites looks perfect for the fall season.
Shari L Eckstrom
So pretty. These would enhance any fall table.
Nart | Cooking with Nart
These look so lovely, I would love to try them! Though phyllo shells don’t seem very easy to make. Anytime I see a Baklava recipe I’m always like, man it looks so good, I want it but I’m afraid I don’t have the skills!
Simone
What a great idea for a Fall dessert and also to serve at Thanksgiving!
Beth
These are so clever, and yet so simple! I’m definitely going to make these for an upcoming party.
Sonila
Thank you Beth:)). I appreciate it!
Jacqueline Debono
These phyllo sweet potato shells look gorgeous. They’d make a great appetizer for a party!
Harriet
This looks like a dessert my family would love, a dessert that’s not to sweet.
Erika
What a great sweet potato dish, yum!
Angela
I love sweet potatoes, so glad to see this recipe vs all the pumpkin that is over the top on everything this time of year = yeah!
Raquel
These are so cute and perfect for a fall get together!
Sonila
Thank you Raquel:), yes they definitely are.
Christy Boston
I love to cook with phyllo dough. It is so versatile. I never would have thought of using it with sweet potatoes, but I love the idea and am going to try this!
Sonila
Hi Christy, we use phyllo a lot where I’m from but yeah we don’t use it with sweet potato either. I had been looking for a while for a way to simplify my sweet potato casserole (which i love) but I only make for Thanksgiving and I thought these phyllo shells would be perfect for that.