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Assortment of golden mini shrimp and cheese tartlets neatly arranged for serving.

Classic Mini Shrimp and Cheese Tartlets

These Classic Mini Shrimp and Cheese Tartlets are perfect for appetizers or a light snack. Flaky puff pastry surrounds a creamy, savory filling of shrimp, cream cheese, and sharp cheddar, enhanced with fresh lemon zest and garlic. Easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 12 tartlets
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pastry
  • 2 sheets Frozen puff pastry sheets about 1 lb total
Filling
  • 1 lb Large shrimp, peeled & deveined ≈ 450 g
  • 8 oz Cream cheese, softened 225 g
  • ½ cup Sharp cheddar, grated
  • ¼ cup Parmesan, finely grated
  • 1 tsp Fresh lemon zest
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped
  • ½ tsp Paprika (smoked or sweet)
  • Salt & freshly ground black pepper To taste
  • 1 Tbsp Olive oil or melted butter
Garnish (Optional)
  • microgreens
  • edible flowers

Equipment

  • Oven
  • 12-cup mini muffin tin
  • Mixing bowls
  • Wire rack

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a 12-cup mini muffin tin by lightly greasing it.
  2. Thaw the puff pastry according to package directions, then unroll and cut each sheet into six equal squares for a total of 12 squares.
  3. Gently press each pastry square into a cup of the prepared muffin tin, extending slightly over the edges.
Shrimp Filling
  1. Toss the peeled and deveined shrimp with olive oil or melted butter, salt, pepper, and paprika.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine softened cream cheese, grated cheddar, Parmesan, lemon zest, minced garlic, and chopped parsley.
  3. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and creamy.
  4. Evenly distribute the cream cheese mixture among the 12 puff pastry-lined cups.
  5. Arrange 3-4 seasoned shrimp on top of the cheese mixture in each tartlet.
Baking
  1. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and cooked through, and the pastry is golden brown and puffed.
  2. Remove from the oven and let cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
  3. Optionally, garnish with microgreens or edible flowers before serving.

Notes

You can prepare the filling ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Assemble the tartlets just before baking for the freshest results. Adjust seasoning to your preference, and feel free to experiment with other herbs like dill or chives.