Mini Cheese and Corn Tarts are a delicious appetizer with less than 10 ingredients. Perfect for any time of the year using decadent creamed corn!
These bite-sized treats are quick to prepare and an appetizer your party guests will keep coming back for more! They are a heavenly fusion of creamy cheese, savory bacon flavory and sweet corn kernels, baked in a mini flaky phyllo pastry crust. Their charm lies not only in their irresistible taste but also in their petite size.
I would like to send a special thanks to Dinner in 321 followers and friends Elesha Barton and her daughter Aynesley for sharing this recipe! They said they've been making them for over 12 years and every time they make them, they get devoured!
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Table of Contents
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Bite-sized Delight: Mini tart recipes are small, portable, and easy to handle. Their small size makes them perfect for parties, events, and gatherings, where guests can indulge in a variety of appetizers without feeling overly full.
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: The sweetness of the corn complements the savory, creamy cheesy bacon filling.
- Appetizer Show-Stopper: Everyone loves a miniature food, and these mini tart shells look charming amidst a sea of yummy appetizers!
- Quick and Simple to Make: They're quick to whip up in one bowl with a few simple ingredients, easy to scoop, then pop in the oven!
Ingredients in Mini Cheesy Corn Tarts
Scroll down for specific ingredient amounts in the recipe card.
- Creamed Corn: Adds sweetness to the tart, balancing the savory cheese and bacon. It also adds a crisp texture and pops of juiciness in each bite.
- Bacon: Adds a smoky, salty flavor and a crispy texture.
- Sour Cream: Adds a creamy texture to the filling, making it rich and velvety.
- Cheeses - Parmesan and Mozzarella: Adds chewy texture and a savory and salty flavor to the tart.
- Phyllo Mini Shells: Provides a light, flaky yet sturdy base for the filling.
- Chives: Adds a slightly sweet and savory flavor and a pop of color.
Tools You'll Need
How to make Corn and Cheese Tartlets
- Preheat oven to 375˚F.
- Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper. Place phyllo shells on the prepared pans.
- In a small mixing bowl, mix together creamed corn and sour cream. Once combined, add ½ cup of the bacon and both cheeses.
- Scoop 1 tablespoon of the filling into each phyllo shell. Bake 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and the filling is set.
- Rest 5-10 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and Garnish with reserved bacon and chives
Tips and Substitutions for Mini Tarts
- If you prefer to use homemade creamed corn over canned, that can work as well. You can follow these steps and adapt to your nutrition/taste preference:
- Ingredients: 2 cups fresh corn kernels, ½ cup whole milk, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, 1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar, salt and black pepper (seasonings to taste)Steps:
- Make the Cream Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk continuously to form a roux. Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes until it becomes lightly golden and smells nutty.
- Add Milk and Corn:
- Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Stir until the mixture thickens slightly, forming a smooth base.
- Add the corn kernels to the saucepan. Stir well to combine.
- Season:
- Add sugar and seasonings to taste. Stir the mixture and let it simmer for a few minutes until the corn is tender and fully cooked. Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary. Cool completely before using in this tart recipe
- If you're unable to find Athens Mini Phyllo Dough Shells, they can be ordered online or you can use phyllo dough sheets instead. You'll need to thaw and cut them in a 3-inch diameter circles or or 12 squares per sheet.
- Other cheese that could be used in these tarts are gruyere, Swiss, and white cheddar.
- Other meats that can be used are cooked crispy prosciutto, turkey bacon, or seasoned chicken.
Storage and Freezing
Place leftovers in an airtight container or sealable plastic bag. You can layer them between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be refrigerated for 2-3 days.
They can be frozen to extend their shelf life. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them until they are solid. Once frozen, transfer to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. Place parchment paper between layers if you are stacking them. They can last in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
When ready to use, reheat the tarts in a preheated oven at a slightly lower temperature than the original baking temperature until they are heated through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the phyllo base soggy.
FAQs
No. In this recipe, the creaminess from the creamed corn adds moisture, texture and sweetness. If you prefer a homemade creamed corn, you can make it with fresh or frozen. If using frozen corn, you'll need to let it thaw before making the creamed corn.
Yes. You can make the corn filling a day or two in advance. Assemble the cups with the filling right before baking as filling the cups in advance can soften the shells too much.
Mini corn cheese tarts can be customized with various ingredients. From different cheese like gruyere, white cheddar or Swiss to different spices or herbs. You can even add a touch of heat with chili flakes or use crispy prosciutto instead of bacon.
To ensure the phyllo tart shells don't become soggy, refrain from filling the shells until you're ready to bake them.
The brand used in my recipe is not gluten-free. However, there are gluten-free varieties that can be used or you can make homemade gluten-free phyllo dough. Schar Gluten-Free Puff Pastry and GeeFree Puff Pastry Sheets could also be used instead.
The bacon adds a smoky, salty flavor and a crispy texture to the tart, but you could substitute it with crispy prosciutto, turkey bacon, or seasoned chicken. You could also omit the meat and just make them cheese tartlets.
More Appetizer Recipes
Mini Cheese and Corn Tarts
Ingredients
- 1 cup canned creamed corn
- ¾ cup cooked and crumbled bacon divided
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup grated fresh parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 3 packages Athens Phyllo Mini-Shells
- 2 tablespoons finely diced chives
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375˚F.
- Line 2 sheet pans with parchment paper. Place phyllo shells on the prepared pans.
- In a small mixing bowl, mix together creamed corn and sour cream. Once combined, add ½ cup of the bacon and both cheeses.
- Scoop 1 tablespoon of the filling into each phyllo shell. Bake 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and the filling is set.
- Rest 5-10 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with reserved bacon and chives
Video
Notes
- If you prefer to use homemade creamed corn over canned, that can work as well. You can follow these steps and adapt to your nutrition/taste preference:
- Ingredients: 2 cups fresh corn kernels, ½ cup whole milk, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, 1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar, salt and black pepper (seasonings to taste)Steps:
- Make the Cream Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk continuously to form a roux. Cook the roux for 1-2 minutes until it becomes lightly golden and smells nutty.
- Add Milk and Corn:
- Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Stir until the mixture thickens slightly, forming a smooth base.
- Add the corn kernels to the saucepan. Stir well to combine.
- Season:
- Add sugar and seasonings to taste. Stir the mixture and let it simmer for a few minutes until the corn is tender and fully cooked. Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary. Cool completely before using in this tart recipe
- If you're unable to find Athens Mini Phyllo Dough Shells, they can be ordered online or you can use phyllo dough sheets instead. You'll need to thaw and cut them in a 3-inch diameter circles or or 12 squares per sheet.
- Other cheese that could be used in these tarts are gruyere, Swiss, and white cheddar.
- Other meats that can be used are cooked crispy prosciutto, turkey bacon, or seasoned chicken.
Kim Lippy
There is no option to comment without rating. Having not made it yet, I opted to give it a 5 to be able to post this comment. "I'm looking forward to hearing from those of you who have tried this recipe."
Laura Ashley
Aww!! I hope you love them when you make them too!