If there’s one thing everyone needs more of during the holidays, it’s time—which can make hosting a holiday party so much harder than it should be. Our secret weapon for saving time and stress? Doing way less.
Enter: fillo shells. These tiny pastry shells are the key to relaxed entertaining. Opt the heck out of stressful menu planning and keep it simple with the one appetizer that will get you through the entire party season.
Buy a bunch after Thanksgiving, and keep your freezer stocked so you can always throw together a fast batch of apps. The filling options are quite literally endless, but we’re partial to these three-ingredient combos that you can pull together in a snap.
Cream Cheese and Lox
Everything you love about the classic bagel combo, now in appetizer form. Add a bit of smoked salmon and a dollop of cream cheese, and finish with a sprig of dill.
Spinach and Artichoke
We’re going to warn you, these will go fast. Fill fillo shells with premade spinach and artichoke dip and top with freshly shaved Parmesan.
Cannoli
So good, even your Italian grandmother would approve. Mix mascarpone cheese with powdered sugar and mini chocolate chips for the ultimate dessert bite.
French Silk
Combine equal parts chocolate pudding and whipped topping and spoon into shells. Add a raspberry on top and you’ve got an adorably tasty party-pleaser.
Guacamole
Premade guacamole with a bit of salsa and a fresh slice of jalapeño is the spicy app you’ve been waiting for.
Caprese
Dice up cherry tomatoes and mini balls of fresh mozzarella, and top with fresh basil. Drizzle with balsamic for an elevated appetizer.
Hot Pepper Jelly
Turn up the heat with this ridiculously easy combo. Top a dollop of cream cheese with a healthy scoop of hot pepper jelly for an appetizer you’re certain to run out of.
Honey-Vanilla Blueberry
Vanilla Greek yogurt (we used Yoplait Greek 100) and honey make for a shockingly tasty mouthful. Top with your favorite fruit—we’re partial to blueberries.
Buffalo Chicken
Just when you think you’ve found all the ways to use shredded rotisserie chicken, we prove you wrong. Add a few pieces to a filo shell, drizzle with Buffalo sauce, and garnish with bits of celery and blue cheese.