Looking for an easy appetizer recipe? Try these golden baked Filo Pastry Parcels filled with mushrooms, thyme, and goat cheese. These flavourful bites are an elegant canapé for any occasion.
Sometimes I refer to the Holiday season as ‘appy’ season. I love making tasty little bites of finger food for friends and family. These Coconut Panko Fried Shrimp are always a big hit during the holidays while Maple Gochujang Wings are a gameday favourite!
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Mushroom Goat Cheese Filo Pastry Parcels
I am thrilled to share these easy, yet elegant Mushroom Goat Cheese Filo pastry appetizers with you today. They have such an amazing, flavourful filling! However, it’s the thin sheets of golden Phyllo (or Filo dough) and butter that bring it all together into crispy little golden pouches.
This canapé is one that impresses any guest but doesn’t take a lot of time and effort to make. The recipe is easy to double, and the parcels can be made ahead of time with excellent results.
Since the filling is safely tucked away within the golden Filo pastry, this appetizer is virtually ‘no risk’ for spills and stains. Your guests will appreciate the low dry-cleaning bills!
Ingredients
You may be surprised at how few ingredients are in this appetizer recipe considering how delicious they are. There’s deliciousness in simplicity when you use only the best ingredients.
- Filo Dough
- Olive Oil
- Mushrooms
- Leek
- Fresh Thyme
- Goat Cheese
- Salt and Pepper
- Butter
Just a touch of olive oil is all you need to fry the mushrooms and leeks. You may use butter if you like, or your oil of choice.
Choose a leek that is firm, without blemish, and with a large white portion. Chop the dark green top leaves off as they are too tough. Wash the white/light green leek well to make sure no dirt is stuck in between layers.
Regular white or brown cremini mushrooms work well in this recipe. However, other kinds of mushrooms such as oyster, King Oyster, or even shiitake mushrooms would be great substitutes.
Thyme is a classic herb pairing with mushrooms but finely chopped fresh rosemary would be lovely. In a pinch, substitute dried thyme for fresh, however dried rosemary is not recommended.
Not a fan of goat cheese (or chevre)? Crumbled feta cheese would be a really great substitute. You can also get the extra fancy kind with added herbs for extra flavour. Brie cheese and sharp Cheddar cheese would also be delicious substitutes.
Filo pastry and melted butter go together like peanut butter and jam. This duo is inseparable and any recipe that requires Filo pastry will always require a good amount of butter. Use unsalted or salted butter as is preferred.
What is Filo Pastry?
Filo Pastry, also called Phyllo Dough (or Pastry), is a paper thin sheet of unleavened dough (flour, water, and a tiny bit of oil) of Greek or Middle Eastern origin. It is used to make both sweet and savoury pastries such as Baklava and Spanakopita (among others).
The thin layers of pastry are always brushed with butter and layered together to create a laminated dough. The layers of Filo and fat bake together, creating delightfully light and crispy pastries.
You can make your own Filo dough; however, it is a lot of work. You can easily find fresh or frozen filo pastry sheets at your local grocery store. No rolling pin needed!
5 Tips for Working with Filo (Phyllo) Pastry
- Thaw frozen sheets of Filo pastry in the fridge overnight. Or, remove from the plastic, cover with plastic wrap and a damp tea towel, then thaw for three hours on the countertop. Make sure it is fully thawed before you start working.
- Remove the exact number of Filo sheets you need for the recipe, then rewrap and place the remainder in the fridge.
- Do not Filo pastry dry out. Cover it with a damp tea towel as you work.
- Use a soft, fine bristle pastry brush to thinly coat each layer with a small amount of butter.
- Prevent edges from cracking by lightly brushing edges first, then working into center.
How to Make Filo Pastry Parcels
Prepare the Filling by cleaning the mushrooms with a soft brush/paper towel, then remove the stem. Next, chop the mushrooms into small pieces.
Next, remove the darkest green part of the leek. Wash the white/light green leek well to make sure no dirt is stuck in between layers. Finely chop the remaining lighter parts.
Add the olive oil to a sauté pan and sauté the mushrooms and leek together over medium high heat. Cook them until the leek has softened and the mushrooms have finished releasing moisture (around 10 minutes). Allow mixture to cool completely.
Place the cooled mushroom mixture in a small mixing bowl, then add the crumbled goat cheese. Add fresh thyme leaves and season with salt and pepper. Mix well.
Preheat oven to 375F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
To prepare the Filo pastry sheets: Roll out a Filo sheet on a clean work surface and use a pastry brush to quickly apply melted butter. Place another Filo sheet on top, and brush with butter. Add a third pastry sheet and brush with more butter.
Cut the pastry sheets into 6 equal squares. Repeat this procedure one more time so you end up with a total of 12 squares.
Place 1 1/2 tablespoons filling in the middle of one Filo pastry square. Bring the pastry upward and press together so that it holds the filling in a ‘purse’. Repeat 11 more times for a total of 12 purses or parcels.
Place each parcel on the prepared baking sheet and brush with more melted butter. Bake for 25 minutes at 375F.
Make Ahead and Storage
The Mushroom Goat Cheese Filo Pastry Parcels will keep in the fridge for up to four days. Simply reheat at 350F for five minutes to serve.
Make this recipe up to three months ahead of time and freeze the parcels in an airtight container until you are ready to reheat and serve. Do not thaw before baking, just bake straight from frozen for best results.
Flavour Substitutions
The sky’s the limit with these easy appetizers. As mentioned above, you can substitute the mushrooms or the cheese. However, you can also add your own favourite filling.
Try chopped cooked chicken and sundried tomatoes with ricotta or crumbled bacon, brie, and dates. How about a Spanish twist with crumbled fried chorizo, Manchego cheese, and potato? Or make Greek style spanakopita or spinach pie with spinach and feta cheese.
The possibilities are endless and limited only by your imagination. What will you fill these Filo Pastry Parcels with?
If you make these Mushroom Goat Cheese Filo Pastry Parcels, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest for my latest recipes. Also, if you do make this recipe, please tag me on Instagram, I’d love to see what you guys are making! Thank you so much for reading my blog.
Mushroom Goat Cheese Filo Pastry Parcels
Looking for an easy appetizer recipe? Try these golden baked Filo Pastry Parcels filled with mushrooms and goat cheese. These flavourful bites are an elegant canapé for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small leek; finely chopped
- 8 oz (1 package) mushrooms; finely chopped
- 1/2 cup goat cheese; crumbled
- salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 6 sheets Filo Pastry
- 1/2 cup melted butter
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: Clean mushrooms and remove the stem. Chop into small pieces.
- Remove the darkest green part of the leek. Finely chop remaining lighter parts.
- Add oil to a saute pan and saute mushrooms and leek together over medium high heat.
- Preheat oven to 375F.
- Cook until leek has softened and mushrooms have finished releasing moisture (around 10 minutes). Allow mixture to cool completely.
- Place the cooled mushroom mixture in a small mixing bowl, then add the crumbled goat cheese. Add fresh thyme leaves and season with salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Prepare the Filo pastry sheets: Roll out a Filo sheet and brush with melted butter. Place another Filo sheet on top, and brush with butter. Add a third and brush with more butter. Cut into 6 equal sheets. Repeat this procedure once more times so you end up with 12 squares.
- Place 1 1/2 tablespoons filling in the middle of one Filo pastry square. Bring the pastry upward so that it holds the filling in a 'purse'. Repeat 11 more times for a total of 12 purses or parcels.
- Place each parcel on a parchment lined baking sheet and brush with melted butter.
- Bake for 25 minutes at 375F.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 329Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 57mgSodium: 346mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 2gSugar: 9gProtein: 6g
Nutritional calculation was provided by Nutritionix and is an estimation only. For special diets or medical issues please use your preferred calculator.
The recipe asks for 9 sheets of filo pastry, but if you have 3 on top of each other x 2, wouldn’t that be 6 sheets in total?
Yes, you are correct. Thank you for letting me know about the error, it has been fixed.
Another question! When making these ahead of time, is it better to bake the parcels first or leave them unbaked and bake them when ready to eat them?
Bake and then freeze. Do not thaw before reheating.
Would these work cutting each of the three sheet stacks into 9 so you would get 18 total and have a smaller app?
You could give it a try…just remember to use less filling. You still need to be able to make the pouch shape with the filo.
If I freeze the cooked parsels, whatnot you reheat them at and for how long g? Instructions only included the refrigerated ones and you mentioned they were good fromm frozen
Hi Ginny. Please bake the parcels from frozen using the same time and temperature setting. Do not thaw prior to cooking.
This was such a wonderful recipe that the entire family loved! Excellent instructions and tips that were easy to follow. We will be making it for years to come. Happy Holidays!
Oh Heidy! I’m so glad to hear you all loved these appetizers. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
These mushroom goat cheese pastry parcels are so cute and they look super delicious! I am loving the flavor combinations in the filling. Thank you for sharing this recipe, I cant wait to make these!
Mushrooms and goat cheese were made for each other. Hope you enjoy them Ramona.
This appetizer is so creative and delicious! This filing is flavorful and perfect. We really enjoyed it and definitely making this again.
Glad you loved these easy appetizers Aya.
Now, this is one parcel I wouldn’t want to share with any one! What a great idea for using phyllo dough and the ingredients are so perfect.
haha. I don’t blame you…better make a double batch.
This is a perfect appetizer for the holiday season! Easy to make and great favor combination!
I agree. Have a wonderful Christmas Vernonika.
What a beautiful, delicate pastry! You have some great flavors with this pastry and I can’t wait to give it a try!
The flavours go so well together. I hope you try them soon.
Cute little bundles just in time for party season. I love the presentation. The filling sounds delicious.
Thank you so much Gloria. The filling is super tasty!
I’d like to make these. Do you think I could make the mushroom part and freeze it? Or even make the whole thing and freeze them? Thanks!
Sure you can, Sue. Instructions for freezing and reheating are included within the body of the post.
These filo bites look so cute and delicious! I love filo and am always looking for more ideas so I’m so glad I came across your recipe!
Excellent! Happy baking, Veronika!
I am mushroom CRAZY so I know this is for me! I can’t wait to add it to my New Year’s Eve spread this year – YUM!
Me too Terri! I also include finely chopped mushrooms in my Tourtiere, even though it’s not traditional!
These looks so elegant for a party! But, let me be honest, I could just munch on these for no special reason! I love goat cheese anyway you serve it!
Yes, I’m not sure these would even make it to the party in my case!
I love everything about this recipe Bernice. Absolutely wonderful for holiday entertaining!
Thank you so much Julia, Merry Christmas!
Filo parcels are always so popular at holiday parties! This mushroom and goat cheese filling looks so tasty, yet easy to pull together. I just know these bites will fly off the plate when I serve them to the family!
They sure are. I think it’s because they’re so light and not too rich at all.
what delicious little cute bundles!! the mushroom works so well!
Thank you so much Nancy. Merry Christmas!
I love the flavor combination! Need to make it for my hubby, he definitely will love it!
I hope so! Let me know how it goes Veronika.
These goad cheese pastries are so delicious! It was a total hit at our holiday party!
So wonderful to hear. Happy holidays Kayla.
I love the combination of tangy goat cheese with umami-rich mushrooms. We always do snacks and appetizer-type stuff for Christmas and these are going on the list. Can’t wait!
Great! I hope your family enjoys them as much as we do!
I’m really impressed by how easy this Filo Pastry Parcel recipe is! Such an elegant recipe and sure to impress any guest as well!
Thank you for your kind words, Leslie. I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe.
I made your filo parcels and they were a big hit with my friends.
Great to hear!! Your friends have good taste Dennis.
I made these for a gathering on the weekend and they were a hit! I’ll be making them again for our New Year’s get together. Thanks for all the Filo tips, too!
Excellent. Yes, we do a lot of appetizers on NYE. These will be on our table for sure!
Goat cheese has just started to grow on me more and more! These are a cute little appetizer!
It’s not for everyone but I do love it. I once had goat cheese ice cream!
These pastry parcels are easy to make but are a beautiful appetizer to have at parties. Can’t wait to make these for New Year’s.
Super to hear…we’ll be having them as well. Cheers to the holidays!
What a fun party dish. These cute little bundles are packed with flavour. I know they will be a hit with my guests this weekend.
OH, I hope so Gloria. Happy holidays!
These were a big hit at the cousin’s potluck….and I loved how easy they were to make.
So great to hear Debra!! Oh, I wish I could go to a holiday potluck soon!
Such an easy and delicious appetizer to make for my husband’s birthday. I am sure everyone will love this. Thank you!
They’ll love it! Happy Birthday to your husband!