Caramelized Onion Bacon Cheesecake Bites
Caramelized Onion Bacon Cheesecake Bites recipe is a great savory holiday appetizer recipe.
These appetizers are made with a sweet caramelized onion cheesecake filling.
These mini savory cheesecake bites will be the hit of your holiday appetizers table.
Holiday Appetizers
Our family is entering our busiest "party season" time of the year. Once April rolls around we have some kind of birthday party or family event every month through January.
I usually bring a holiday party appetizer and a dessert to all of our parties.
As seen in the 2019 January Issue of FoodBlogs Magazine
Sweet and Savory Party Appetizers
Today I am sharing a sweet and savory appetizer recipe.
This Caramelized Onion Bacon Cheesecake Bites appetizer has layers of savory goodness.
The filling is a mini savory cheesecake with just an added hint of the caramelized onions and bacon.
Then the mini savory cheesecake bites are topping with more caramelized onions and bacon.
All this savory goodness tops a whispy mini phyllo cup.
How to make Caramelized Onion Bacon Cheesecake Bites
To make these sweet and savory appetizers you will first need to make some balsamic caramelized onions.
The best onions to use are sweet onions.
I love Vidalia Onions and when they are in season I always buy a big bag.
If you can't find sweet Vidalia onions use whatever sweet onions are available at the grocery store.
A note on Balsamic Vinegar
I love using Balsamic Vinegar with vegetables or fruit.
So far I haven't met a fruit or vegetable that doesn't taste good cooked with it.
I've added it to the caramelized onions. It adds a wonderful flavor.
The first part of this recipe is to make the caramelized onions.
Once you have made them you can store them in the refrigerator until you need to use them.
They can be made a couple of days in advance.
- 3 large sweet onions, thinly sliced ( about 3 ½ to 4 cups sliced onion)
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium.
- Add the sliced onions to the skillet and saute for 5 minutes on medium heat to soften.
- Add the brown sugar and Balsamic Vinegar to the skillet.
- Saute uncovered, occasionally stirring for about 8 minutes or until the onions are translucent and reduced in size by half.
- Reduce the heat to low and slowly saute the onions until golden brown and caramelized. The sauce will have thickened and will cling to the onions. This can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 30 minutes or longer. Do not overcook.
- When the onions have caramelized remove pan from heat and allow to cool.
- Store the Balsamic Caramelized Onions in the refrigerator in a container with a lid until ready to use if not preparing the appetizers at this time.
To make Balsamic Caramelized Onion Bacon Cheesecake Bites
- 8 oz softened cream cheese
- 1 egg, slightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- dash of ground black pepper
- 6-8 tablespoons Balsamic Caramelized Onions, chopped finely, divided
- 5 pieces of bacon, cooked crispy and chopped finely, divided
- 2 packages Phyllo Mini Shells
- Beat the cream cheese, egg, salt, and pepper on high until thick and creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in 6 tablespoons of the balsamic caramelized onions and 2 tablespoons of the chopped bacon.
- Using a small spoon or a frosting decorator bag fill each Phyllo cup with the cream cheese filling.
- Bake in a preheated 350 F. degrees oven for 12-15 minutes or until the filling is set.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Top each baked Phyllo cup with ¼ teaspoon of the remaining chopped balsamic caramelized onion.
- Top each appetizer with a sprinkling of the remaining finely chopped bacon.
Print the Caramelized Onion Bacon Cheesecake Bites recipe below
Caramelized Onion Bacon Cheesecake Bites
Ingredients
Balsamic Caramelized Onions Ingredients
- 3 large sweet onions thinly sliced (about 3 ½ to 4 cups sliced onion)
- ¼ cup dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
Ingredients Needed To make Balsamic Caramelized Onion Bacon Cheesecake Bites Appetizers
- 8 oz softened cream cheese
- 1 large egg slightly beaten
- 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 dash ground black pepper
- 6-8 tablespoons Balsamic Caramelized Onions chopped finely, divided
- 5 pieces bacon cooked crispy and chopped finely, divided
- 2 packages Phyllo Mini Shells
Instructions
Directions to Make Balsamic Caramelized Onions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium.
- Add the sliced onions to the skillet and sauté for 5 minutes on medium heat to soften.
- Add the brown sugar and Balsamic Vinegar to the skillet.
- Sauté uncovered, occasionally stirring for about 8 minutes or until the onions are translucent and reduced in size by half.
- Reduce the heat to low and slowly sauté the onions until golden brown and caramelized. The sauce will have thickened and will cling to the onions. This can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 30 minutes or longer. Do not overcook.
- When the onions have caramelized remove pan from heat and allow to cool.
- Refrigerate in an airtight container if making the appetizers the next day.
Directions to Make Caramelized Onion Bacon Cheesecake Bites
- Beat the cream cheese, egg, salt, and pepper on high until thick and creamy, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in 6 tablespoons of the balsamic caramelized onions and 2 tablespoons of the chopped bacon.
- Using a small spoon or a frosting decorator bag fill each Phyllo cup with the cream cheese filling.
- Bake in a preheated 350 F. degrees oven for 12-15 minutes or until the filling is set.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Top each baked Phyllo cup with ¼ teaspoon of the remaining chopped balsamic caramelized onion.
- Top each appetizer with a sprinkling of the remaining finely chopped bacon.
Recipe Expert Tips
- The caramelized onions can be made the day before making and serving the appetizers.
Nutrition
More Party Appetizer Recipes
Roasted Tomato Garlic Bites Party Appetizer: Top a cracker with a slice of fresh mozzarella cheese, balsamic roasted tomatoes, and garlic.
Roasted Golden Beet Marinated Mozzarella Appetizers: Sweet golden beets served with marinated mozzarella on toasted bread.
Check out the appetizer category for all of my appetizer recipes
