Description
Cheesy Shrimp Bread Cups transform simple sandwich bread into golden, edible vessels brimming with succulent seafood and melty cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- Ingredients for the Bread Cups:
- 12 slices white or whole wheat sandwich bread (crusts removed)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Ingredients for the Cheesy Shrimp Filling:
- ½ lb raw shrimp, peeled, deveined, and finely chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp green onions or fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Oven & Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
- Flatten & Shape Bread: Cut the crusts off the bread slices. Use a rolling pin to flatten each slice until thin. Mix melted butter with garlic powder, and brush both sides of each flattened slice. Press each slice firmly into a muffin cup to form a small bread bowl.
- Bake Crusts (Par-bake): Bake empty bread cups for 5 minutes until lightly set and golden. Remove from oven and set aside.
- Cook Shrimp: Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped shrimp. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Remove from heat.
- Mix Filling: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, half of the mozzarella, grated Parmesan, green onions, and the cooked garlic shrimp. Stir until well combined.
- Fill & Bake: Spoon the cheesy shrimp mixture evenly into each par-baked bread cup. Top generously with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake & Serve: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes until the bread is deep golden-crispy on the edges and the cheese is completely melted and bubbly. Garnish with extra fresh parsley and serve warm!
Notes
- Do not skip the par-bake step; without it, the bread cups become soggy from the filling.
- Avoid overcooking the shrimp to prevent a rubbery texture; remove from heat as soon as they turn pink.
- Ensure cream cheese is completely softened before mixing to avoid lumps in the filling.
- Do not overfill the cups; fill just to the top edge to prevent overflow and burning.
- Chop shrimp into uniform small pieces for even cooking and distribution throughout the filling.
- Use a rolling pin to compress the bread thoroughly so it holds the filling without tearing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 185
Keywords: shrimp, bread cups, cheesy appetizer, seafood, muffin tin, party food, garlic butter