Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer Bites

This festive and easy Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer Bites recipe takes only minutes to make, but they look like you slaved for hours. Plus, they're cheap and cheerful which makes them perfect for this (or any) holiday gathering.

What makes these easy shrimp cocktail appetizer recipe so enticing (besides how festive they look) is that you can pop an entire appetizer into your mouth leaving no mess behind.

That said, what makes this shrimp cocktail appetizer so dangerous is that you can pop an entire appetizer into your mouth, followed by a second, and then a third...(I'm sure you get my gist). 😉

Jump to:

• The ingredient list:
• Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
• Why this shrimp cocktail appetizer recipe works:
• Why you'll love this recipe:
• Making your own homemade cocktail sauce is easy!
• The easy instructions:
• Can store-bought cocktail sauce be used?
• How to make your own puff pastry appetizer cups:
• Can they be made in advance?
• How to store these seafood appetizers:
• Additional appetizer recipes:
• Printable Recipe Card

The ingredient list:

**Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned

• Phyllo Cups (found in the dessert freezer section of the market)
• Precooked Shrimp
• Cream Cheese
• Mayonnaise
• Lemon zest
• Cocktail Sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• Old Bay Seafood Seasoning
• Fresh Parsley
• Salt and Pepper

Kitchen tools and equipment needed:

• Cutting Board
• Chef's Knife
• Medium Bowl
• Mixing Spoons
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Large Zip-top Bag
• Lemon Zester
• Baking Tray
• Serving Tray

Why this shrimp cocktail appetizer recipe works:

If you've never purchased the little phyllo cups in the market before, I strongly urge you to look for them.

They're especially great during the holiday season when appetizers and party foods seem to be where everyone's focus is when it comes to entertaining.

Or maybe that's just me. I LOVE a good appetizer!!

Since the phyllo cups are already baked and flaky, all you need to do is fill them with whatever your heart desires.

Within minutes you're ready to impress your guests without having spent very much time or effort!

How's that for a great holiday gift?!!

Why you'll love this recipe:

Another thing you'll love about these easy Shrimp Cocktail Appetizers is that they're relatively inexpensive to make.

Since there are 15 phyllo cups per box, you'll only need (approximately) 5 medium to large shrimp (chopped), and approximately ½ cup of cocktail sauce.

Of course, if you're making more than 15 you'll need to increase the amount of shrimp and sauce accordingly.

Making your own homemade cocktail sauce is easy!

For the recipe I'm sharing today, I've made a homemade cocktail sauce.

However, please feel free to use your favorite variety of store-bought cocktail sauce if that is your preference.

Having said that, there are only three ingredients in my homemade cocktail sauce;

• Ketchup
• Prepared Horseradish (add as much or as little as you like)
• Smoked Paprika

Save money and make your own at home. You'll be glad you did!

The easy instructions:

• In a medium bowl, stir together the room temperature cream cheese, mayonnaise, black pepper, and Old Bay seafood seasonings.
• Add in the lemon zest and set aside.

• Remove the tails from the pre-cooked shrimp and chop.
• To make the cocktail sauce stir together the ketchup, horseradish and smoked paprika in a small bowl.

• Place the phyllo cups on a tray or platter.
• Add the cream cheese mixture to a sandwich-sized zip-top bag and work the mixture into the corner.
• Use scissors to snip off the top of the bag and pipe about a tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture into each phyllo cup.

• Add a dollop of the cocktail sauce on top of each of the cream cheese mixture, and top each with a small mound of the chopped shrimp.
• Garnish each with a bit of fresh parsley. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Relax and enjoy!

Can store-bought cocktail sauce be used?

Sure. Why not? I'm all about convenience.

However, once you see how simple and fast it is to make your own cocktail sauce at home (in the recipe card), I doubt you'll ever purchase it in the store again.

How to make your own puff pastry appetizer cups:

While purchasing the pretty little ruffled pastry cups is easy and quick, I also have a relatively easy and quick way to make your own fillable puff pastry appetizer cups at home using store-bought puff pastry. Check it out and then let your imagination run wild with how to fill them!

Can they be made in advance?

If you'd like to make these in advance, I suggest making them one day before you plan to serve them and keep them well covered in the refrigerator. Top them with the fresh chopped parsley right before serving.

How to store these seafood appetizers:

I recommend storing any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for no more than 3 days.

Additional appetizer recipes:

• PUMPKIN SAGE PINWHEEL APPETIZERS (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen

"With a savory filling of pumpkin, cream cheese, bacon, and sage, these pumpkin crescent pinwheel appetizers are always a hit when it’s time to party."

• ARTICHOKE CHEESE WONTONS from The Fresh Cooky

• GOAT'S CHEESE CHRISTMAS WREATH WITH PISTACHIOS AND DRIED CHERRIES (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen

"This Goat Cheese Christmas Wreath with Dried Cherries and Pistachios is as festive looking as it is delicious."

• CAVIAR AND SMOKED SALMON CREAM CHEESE DIP from Just a Little Bit of Bacon

• GRINCH GUACAMOLE (pictured below) from (yours truly) Kudos Kitchen

"With a few simple ingredients and some easy instructions, you can warm the hearts of your family and friends with this gloriously easy to make realistic looking Grinch Guacamole." 

• ROSEMARY AND THYME SPICED NUTS from A Farm Girl's Dabbles

• SHRIMP COCKTAIL APPETIZER BITES (pictured below) This is the place!

When you make this recipe, and I hope you do, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave a star rating on the recipe card and briefly comment on why you rated it as you did. FYI - Google appreciates recipe ratings and, in turn, will share my recipes with more people. Thank you so much!!

Printable Recipe Card

I sincerely hope you've enjoyed this recipe for easy Shrimp Cocktail Appetizer Bites as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you.

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