These Smoked Ham Salad & Pecan Appetizer Bites are rich and savory folded into a light, flaky pastry fillo shell.
What dish did you eat the most of this Thanksgiving?
I hope all of you had a healthy, happy and fun Thanksgiving with family and friends!
I’m thinking that maybe some of you have some extra turkey or ham laying around that you’re wondering what to do with, yes?
I’ve got you covered! These Smoked Ham Salad & Pecan Appetizer Bites are perfect for leftover ham.
They’re smoky, rich, savory in a light, flaky crust and so poppable, before you know it, you’ve had 15 of these delicious babies between just the two of you. Oh, wait. Maybe that’s just us. 🙂
To make these, just take your leftover ham and blitz it in your food processor until it’s really nice and fine, like this.
These are sssooo super easy to throw together, you will love them! They make quick work of leftover ham and they taste amazing because of 2 great ingredients – the smoky flavor of Black Forest Ham and Smoked Gouda cheese. Then, topped with buttery pecans, they are seriously savory and mouth-watering. Then, you take all that deliciousness and wrap them up into a delicate, light, flaky fillo shell.
They are so convenient and poppable as an appetizer – they’re perfect for parties or for guests. Kids love them too!
Have you ever used the Athens Mini Fillo Shells before? If you haven’t ever tried them, you really should! They are so great for quick and easy appetizers and you can fill them with any filling – savory or sweet.
The other thing I love about them is that they’re kept in the freezer until ready to use, then you just bring them out and they take just a few minutes to get to room temperature. Then, you fill them with your favorite filling. It’s so easy to prepare a filling in advance and thaw them and fill them right before your guests arrive.
I don’t fill these early, because I want to ensure that the fillo shell stays crisp and doesn’t get soggy.
Oh…, what? You had turkey instead? It no matteh!, I have a delectable Smoked Almond Chicken Salad Bites recipe that works beautifully with leftover turkey! Talk about giving your tastebuds a treat! You simply haven’t lived until you’ve tried Smoked Almonds with chicken or turkey!
Not in the mood for appys? No worries, try these Smoked Almond Tea Sandwiches instead.
No matter which of these three recipes you choose, you’ll have a great recipe that will change that ham and turkey up so that it’s no longer boring!
I hope you love these Smoked Ham Salad & Pecan Appetizer Bites as much as we did.
This last photo shows you what they look like without the pecans on them. If you have guests that you know are allergic to nuts and especially pecans, just leave them out! They still taste as amazing, and then everyone can enjoy them!
Enjoy!
Smoked Ham Salad & Pecan Appetizer Bites
Ingredients
- 2 cups finely chopped black forest ham
- 1/4 cup celery finely diced
- 1/4 cup onion finely diced
- 1 cup smoked gouda shredded
- 1/4 cup fat-free mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
- 25 mini fillo cups
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Mix ham, celery, onions, gouda, mayonnaise and mustard together in a medium-sized bowl. Fill each fillo shell with 1 heaping teaspoon of ham salad. Sprinkle the top of each with chopped pecans.
- Serve.
Alessandra // the foodie teen says
I love that these are super easy – just what I need this weekend! Hope you had a good Thanksgiving!
Kristi says
Thanks Alessandra! You will love how easy these are! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving too!
Mira says
These look cute and delicious Kristi! I love how easy to make they are, the combination of Black Forest ham and Smoked Gouda sounds great! Never used these mini fill cups before, but will have to try them. I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!
Kristi says
You’ll *love* these fillo shells Mira! I fill them with everything, and they’re so easy and de-thaw so fast! So glad that you like them! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
Mmm…these do look perfectly poppable. I would easily eat a dozen of these!
Kristi says
Thanks Liz! They are seriously addictive, and we love ham, so it was absolutely fabulous! Have a great weekend!
Marcie says
Kristi, these look seriously amazing! I’d make a ham just to have leftovers for these babies…what a perfect holiday appetizer! I’d be throwing down way too many of these. pinned!
Kristi says
Thanks for the pin Marcie! We loved these, but they sure didn’t last long! Hahaha! So good – smoked gouda – there’s no way you can go wrong with that, in nearly anything! 🙂 Have a great weekend my friend! xoxo
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet says
I love little bite appetizers like these! And they sound absolutely delicious! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Kristi!
Kristi says
Thanks Anna – I’m with you on bite-sized appetizers! I hope you have a great Sunday!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
Now this is a fab use of leftovers, Kristi! 🙂 I have ZERO Thanksgiving leftovers (thanks to us flying to our destination!) but will for sure jump at the next chance I get to make a ham and specially save the leftovers for these delish bites. And smoked gouda is one of my *favorites* – I can’t resist adding it to whatever I’m making. Well, at least the savory recipes. 🙂 Hope you had a WONDERFUL holiday, friend!
Kristi says
Thanks Alyssa! I looooove smoked Gouda! I could eat the whole thing by itself! Good for you that you didn’t have to cook Thanksgiving dinner! 🙂 I hope it was absolutely wonderful! Have a great Sunday! xoxo
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
These look gorgeous Kristi! Love the flavours, so good! 😀
Kristi says
Thank you Jess! They were really tasty, and such a good use of extra ham! 🙂
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I ate soo much stuffing this Thanksgiving weekend! And I would do it all over again 😉 I love this idea for an appetizer – perfect for my Christmas Eve family party!
Kristi says
Thanks Ashley! It’s such a great appetizer. And, I’m with you – stuffing is one of my favorite things, and I always over-eat!
Aida says
These look delicious. I love the mini shells, but I always used to make dessert. Great idea with a hearty appetizer!
Kristi says
So glad you like them Aida! I love savory appetizers, and these shells are perfect for that!
Annie+@+ciaochowbambina says
Okayyy! These are so cute! And I love the flavor combination! We can never have too many great ideas for appetizers….Pinned!
Kristi says
Thanks Annie! I love quick, easy appetizers like this, and who doesn’t love ham? Thanks for the pin my sistah! xoxo
Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel says
bet these taste soooo good!
Kristi says
Thanks Kelsey! We really loved these – so savory, poppable and delicious!
Ashley says
Oooo these are so pop-able!! lol We never do ham for Thanksgiving but ALWAYS do it for Christmas. And there is ALWAYS a ridiculous amount leftover! And now I know what I can do with some of it! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving friend!
Kristi says
Thank you Ashley! So great to give you an idea for your leftover ham! I love that they’re pop-able too!
Renee@Two in the Kitchen says
These do look delectable!! I love appetizers at this time of year! It helps me save room for dessert!! 😉
Kristi says
Thank you Renee! I’m a huge appetizer fan – that way you get to try lots of things! xoxo