Crowd-pleasing French onion soup is served in scrumptious mini bites in this delectable take. This Thanksgiving appetizer can be served warm or at room temperature. So, don’t worry about keeping them hot when you’re busy prepping dinner.

How to Make French Onion Soup Bites

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 3 cups finely chopped yellow onion (from 2 onions)
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 large egg
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• 30 frozen mini phyllo pastry shells (from 2 [1.9-oz.] pkg., such as Athens brand), at room temperature
• 2 oz. Gruyère cheese, grated (about 1/2 cup)
• Finely chopped fresh chives, for garnish

Directions

1. Heat butter in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium. Add onions, sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt; cook over medium, stirring often, until onions are soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Then, reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden brown and jammy, 25 to 35 minutes. Transfer onions to a bowl.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk cream, egg, nutmeg, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small liquid measuring cup.
3. Line a large-rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Place phyllo shells on the baking sheet. Then, spoon 1/2 teaspoon of caramelized onions into each shell. Pour in cream mixture, filling each shell three-quarters of the way (about 2 teaspoons mixture per shell). Top with cheese.
4. Bake until puffed and lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes.
5. Garnish the French onion soup bites with chives. Serve warm or at room temperature.

French Onion Soup Bites Variations

• Mix in more onions: Get fancy with your onions in these appetizers by swapping in some red onions, shallots, or your favorite type of onion to make the filling.
• Use bouillon instead of salt: To season the bites, swap salt for a bouillon paste, like Better Than Bouillon, for an even more robust soupy flavor.
• Change up the cheese: Instead of Gruyere, try similar shredded cheeses like Swiss cheese, fontina, Emmentaler or Gouda, which will all melt nicely and offer a similar flavor.
• Make a gluten-free rendition with mushrooms: Skip the gluten by replicating this filling recipe and then adding it to hollowed-out mushroom caps. French Onion Soup Bites in baked mushrooms are certainly a crowd pleaser.