Here’s my go-to shrimp cocktail phyllo cups recipe, combining crispy bite-sized pastry shells with fresh shrimp and a zesty cocktail sauce that’s sure to please everyone at your next party.
These little appetizers have become my reliable party starter – I always make an extra batch because they disappear so quickly! Perfect for holiday gatherings or game day snacks, and trust me, your guests will be asking for the recipe.
Why You’ll Love These Shrimp Cocktail Cups
- Quick preparation – These appetizers come together in just 20-30 minutes, making them perfect for last-minute entertaining or when you’re short on time.
- No cooking required – Using pre-cooked shrimp and ready-made phyllo shells means there’s no actual cooking involved – just mix, fill, and serve!
- Perfect party food – These bite-sized appetizers are easy to grab and eat while mingling, plus they look fancy despite being super simple to make.
- Budget-friendly ingredients – Using canned shrimp and store-bought phyllo shells keeps the cost down while still delivering great taste and presentation.
What Kind of Shrimp Should I Use?
While this recipe calls for canned small shrimp, you’ve got several options that could work well here. Canned shrimp is convenient and budget-friendly, but you could also use fresh or frozen small shrimp that you’ve cooked and chopped – just make sure to pat them dry first to prevent soggy phyllo cups. If you’re using fresh or frozen shrimp, look for the small or salad-sized ones (usually labeled as 71-90 count per pound) since they’ll fit better in the mini phyllo shells. For the best results with canned shrimp, drain it really well and give it a quick rinse to remove any tinny taste before adding it to your mixture.
Options for Substitutions
This appetizer recipe is pretty adaptable and you’ve got several options for swaps:
- Canned shrimp: You can easily use fresh cooked and cooled small shrimp, or even swap in imitation crab meat or finely chopped cooked crabmeat. If using fresh shrimp, make sure to chop them into small pieces.
- Phyllo shells: While phyllo shells give the best crispy texture, you could use mini toast cups, wonton wrappers baked in a mini muffin tin, or even cucumber cups for a low-carb option. Just note that wonton wrappers will need to be baked first until crispy.
- Cocktail sauce: Out of cocktail sauce? Mix ketchup with prepared horseradish to taste, or use a spicy remoulade sauce instead.
- Celery and celery leaves: You can substitute with finely diced cucumber or fennel for crunch, and fresh parsley for the celery leaves.
- Red onion: Feel free to use shallots or green onions if you don’t have red onion – just use about the same amount for similar flavor.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest challenge when working with phyllo cups is preventing them from becoming soggy – to keep them crispy, wait to fill them until just before serving and make sure all your filling ingredients are well-drained. Another common mistake is overworking the shrimp mixture, which can make it mushy and lose its texture – simply fold the ingredients together gently instead of aggressive stirring. For the best results, pat the canned shrimp dry with paper towels before mixing, as excess moisture can make your appetizer watery and compromise the crispness of the shells. Remember to keep unused phyllo shells covered with a slightly damp paper towel while working, as they can dry out quickly when exposed to air, and always bake them for 3-5 minutes before filling to ensure maximum crispiness.
What to Serve With Shrimp Cocktail Phyllo Cups?
These bite-sized shrimp cups make a perfect appetizer for any party spread, and they pair wonderfully with other finger foods! Try serving them alongside some crispy bacon-wrapped dates or mini quiche for a nice mix of hot and cold appetizers. Since these cups have a seafood focus, you might want to balance them with some veggie-based options like cucumber rounds topped with herbed cream cheese or a colorful antipasto platter. For drinks, a chilled glass of prosecco or a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio makes these little bites even more enjoyable – though they’re just as good with a cold beer or sparkling water with lemon!
Storage Instructions
Prep Ahead: You can make the shrimp filling up to 24 hours in advance and keep it in the fridge. Just wait to fill the phyllo cups until you’re ready to serve – this keeps them nice and crispy. The cocktail sauce can also be mixed ahead and stored separately in the fridge.
Keep: Once assembled, these little bites are best enjoyed within 2-3 hours. The filled phyllo cups can sit at room temperature for up to 2 hours during a party. If you have any leftover filling, pop it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Store Shells: Keep unused phyllo shells in their original package, sealed tight in the freezer. They’ll stay good for several months, ready whenever you need them for your next party. Just remember to thaw them for about 10 minutes before filling!
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Total Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 400-450
- Protein: 25-30 g
- Fat: 30-35 g
- Carbohydrates: 30-35 g
Ingredients
- 1 drained 4-ounce can of small shrimp
- 3 tablespoons chopped celery
- 2 tablespoons minced celery leaves
- 3 tablespoons chopped red onion
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon peel zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup cocktail sauce
- 15 thawed mini phyllo shells from a 1.9-ounce package
Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp Salad
In a medium bowl, mix together the drained tiny shrimp, diced celery, diced red onion, grated lemon zest, lemon juice, and extra-virgin olive oil.
Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
Season the mixture with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, adjusting seasoning as needed.
Step 2: Optional Pre-Baking for Phyllo Shells
If you prefer extra crunch, pre-bake the phyllo shells.
Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) until they are browned, about 5 minutes.
Remove from the oven and let them cool completely before filling.
Step 3: Assemble the Appetizers
Once your phyllo shells are ready, either freshly thawed or pre-baked, divide the cocktail sauce evenly among them.
Follow by filling each shell with the shrimp salad mixture, ensuring each shell gets an even amount for a delicious bite.
Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Finish off by garnishing each filled shell with finely chopped celery leaves for a touch of color and hint of fresh flavor.
Serve immediately and enjoy these delightful shrimp salad phyllo bites!