This Mini Red Potato Appetizer with Cranberries are a sweet and savory fusion of delicious fall flavors. They're the prefect way to start any holiday celebration!
This Mini Red Potato Appetizer recipe with Cranberries could have had a much longer title, but I decided the recipe itself is enough of a mouthful. 😉
I'm always tempted to list as many ingredients as possible in the title, because they usually sound so delicious together, and lure people in.
Mini red potatoes are filled with melting Kerrygold Skellig Sweet Cheddar cheese, and spiced cranberry-pecan caramelized onions. The combination of flavors and textures is simply out of this world!
What's in this recipe?
- mini red potatoes (also called Pee Wee)
- olive oil
- red onion
- dried cranberries
- pecans
- cayenne, salt and pepper
- Kerrygold Skellig Sweet Cheddar Cheese (or other favorite white cheddar)
- chives
Ar you imagining all of this in one delicious, melt-in-your-mouth bite!?
Even a huge feast should begin with a treat, and these Red Potato Hors D'Oeuvres scream Thanksgiving. They're perfect all through the winter holidays.
*Here are a handful more scrumptious show-stopping Thanksgiving appetizers.*
What do these taste like?
Let's break it down. . .
- The creamy, full-flavored Cheddar is rich, tangy and subtly sweet, and it's unbelievable delicious melted beautifully into each bite.
- The red onion-cranberry-pecan mixture is a compote of sorts. It's sweet and has a tiny crunch to it.
- The potatoes are velvety soft and are the perfect vessel for all of the other ingredients. They are like tiny bowls.
I think these are so adorable and even more delicious. They're also quite festive looking, and can be eaten in just one or two bites. Perfect!
Can you use other cheeses?
- This Skellig from Kerrygold is one of my favorite cheeses, but you can use any white cheddar cheese you like.
- Gruyère would also be a lovely choice.
Can you make this ahead?
Yes!
You can make all of the components a day ahead of time, assemble a few hours ahead, and then bake about fifteen minutes before serving.
Enjoy every last bite of this Mini Red Potato Appetizer with Cranberries . . . . and pecans, onions, etc. 😉
More fabulous potato appetizers:
- Smoky Potato Pickled Tomato Bites
- Mini Potato Pancakes with Apple-Onion Compote
- Bacon Hasselback Baby Dutch Yellow Potatoes
This is not a sponsored post — Kerrygold sent me Skellig Sweet Cheddar Cheese for recipe testing. As always, all opinions are my own.
Mini Red Potato Appetizer with Cranberries
These festive appetizers are a sweet and savory fusion of delicious flavors. They're the prefect way to start your holiday feast.
Makes 2 dozen
- 1 dozen pee wee red potatoes (they should be approximately 1-inch in diameter, and 1½-inches long), (washed and dried)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ⅔ cup thinly sliced red onion,
- ⅓ cup roughly chopped dried cranberries,
- 2 tablespoons roughly chopped pecans
- pinch cayenne pepper
- salt to taste
- ⅓ cup finely grated Kerrygold Skellig Sweet Cheddar (or other favorite white cheddar)
- 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives
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Cut the potatoes. Cut each potato in half, horizontally. Then use a small melon baller to hollow out a bit of the round side of each half, about ½-inch deep. (Save the scraps to sauté, sprinkle with salt and pepper and eat!)
-
Steam potatoes. Place the prepared potato halves, flat side down on a large steamer rack, over a few inches of water -- ideally into a pot that fits it perfectly. Place the pot over high heat and once the water below the rack is boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover and steam the potatoes until they are tender, 10 to 15 minutes. (Cooking times will vary depending on their size). Set the potatoes aside to cool.
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Make the filling. Add the olive oil to a medium-sized sauté pan, using enough to coat the bottom.
Roughly chop the thinly sliced onion and place the pan over medium-high heat.
Add the onions to the pan and, stirring often, cook until they are soft and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Add the cranberries and pecans and cook for another 2 minutes.
-
Season and set oven. Add the cayenne and season to taste with the salt. (Here's How.)
Preheat the oven to 300°F, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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Assemble. Place the potato halves on the lined baking sheet. Using about ⅔ of the cheese, add a bit to the top of each potato, filling the scooped out area, and gently pressing it down. Now evenly divide the onion mixture among the potatoes, gently pressing in down on top of the cheese. Then sprinkle a bit of the remaining cheese on top of each one.
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Bake. Place them in the preheated 300°F oven just to warm them through and melt the cheese, about 4 minutes.
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Serve. Place them on a serving platter, sprinkle with the chives and serve warm.
Calorie count is only an estimate.
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Christina
These sound and look fantastic, Valentina!!! I seriously want to make these! What a beautiful presentation, too! You've combined so many things I LOVE!
valentina
Thank you so much, Christina! 🙂
Laura @ Family Spice
Just gorgeous! I love everything about these bites, from the shell to the stuffing! Pinned!
valentina
Thank you, Laura. I'll take that as a big compliment coming from you. 🙂
Deb
Just adore these festive little lovelies! The cranberries and cheddar are just magnificent when paired with pecans!
valentina
Agreed! And thank you. 🙂
Patricia@FreshFoodinaFlash
I've been looking for something like this for an event. I like the cheese idea instead of the usual sour cream. Thanks for the inspiration!
valentina
Thanks so much, Patricia! Hope you try them for your event. 🙂
Colette
Valentina, these are the cutest!
And, they sound delicious. I've gotta make a bunch for Thanksgiving. xox
valentina
If you leave the cayenne, your little one should love them, too. 🙂
Nancy@acommunaltable
I won't be making these for Thanksgiving... because if I did, I would eat EVERY single one of them and have NO room for anything else!! This is a fabulous recipe Valentina and I definitely will be making them...and only them!!!
valentina
Nancy, thank you! Hope you enjoy!
Ash-foodfashionparty
that is such a cool and innovative idea for serving potatoes, love it.
Very yuummy Valentina, I could chug down a lot of them.
valentina
Asha, thank you so much - I'll always take compliments from you, as your work is truly amazing and inspiring. 🙂
David
Valentina - you are so right about the people being the most important part of Thanksgiving. That is the way we feel, too. These potato bites look terrific - I might eat many of these and skip the turkey! 😉
valentina
I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving! And may you eat lots of delicious food -- and if you're cooking, I'm sure you will!
mimi rippee
Oh my god!!!!! What fun these are! I've never done anything like these. A spectacular set of ingredients.
valentina
Awwww, thank you Mimi! Your enthusiasm makes me happy. 🙂 ~Valentina
Kim Lange
Bet these bites are so yummy! My family would devour them! Pinning! xo
valentina
Thanks so much, Kim! 🙂 ~Valentina
valentina
Thanks, Kim! Hope you love them. 🙂 ~Valentina
Kelly | Foodtasia
Valentina, these are such lovely appetizers. They'll be such a treat to serve in the holiday season. Wonderful flavors!
valentina
Thank you, Kelly! Can't believe the holiday season is upon us. 🙂 ~Valentina
David @ Spiced
What a fun appetizer idea! I'm with ya on appetizers before meals (especially during the holidays), and using potatoes as the base is such a cool twist. The flavors in this one are awesome, so I can only imagine how good they taste once combined together. High-five for awesome here, Valentina! 🙂
valentina
Thanks so much, David. So happy you like this idea. Hope you try and love it. 🙂 ~Valentina
valentina
I'll take the high five. Thank you! 😀 ~Valentina
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Such a fabulous app for the holiday season! I just love sweet and savoury and you've definitely got that going on with these, my friend! Potatoes, cranberries and cayenne? Delish!