I originally made this recipe for a birthday party for my mother-in-law. She loves green olives and I knew she’d enjoy these. I was right. She loved them, and so did everyone else that had some. I’ve since made them countless times as an appetizer when entertaining and even just as a special snack for the six of us.
I’m not ordinarily a big fan of green olives, but I do like them in these puffs. The cheesiness of the dough complements perfectly with the saltiness of the olives. If you, or your children, don’t like green olives, I still recommend the dough as a great snack. It’s rich, buttery and cheesy, and so easy to put together. You could even do some with olives and some without to make everyone happy.
Baked Green Olive Cheese Puffs
- 1 1/4 c. finely shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 1/2 T. butter or margarine
- 1/2 c. flour
- 1/2 t. cumin
- 1/8 t. cayenne pepper, optional
- 1 small jar of green olives (you’ll need about 25 – 30)
1. Combine cheese and butter or margarine until smooth. (I find it’s easiest to do this with my hands, although if you have a food processor, that would probably work just as well without being messy.) Work in flour and spices.
2. Using a teaspoon dough, flatten and wrap completely around one olive. (Again, I just do this in my hand.) Repeat until done. Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes, until golden.
The kids love to help make these too. Sometimes they use the olives and sometimes they just make plain balls of dough for themselves.
This post is being linked to:
- Hooked On… at Hooked On Houses
- Food On Fridays at Ann Kroeker’s
- Family Recipe Fridays at Vanderbilt Wife
- Recipe Swap at The Grocery Cart Challenge
- Friday Feasts at Mom Trends
OMG! Have almost the same recipe but with no cumin and dates instead of olives. The sweet & savory combo is really delicious. I’ll have to try it w/ the olives.
I don’t have a recipe like this, so I need to try it. Thanks for the recipe. Geri
Mm, these look wonderful. I don’t suppose you’re selling them by mail order? 🙂
These sound dangerous to have around the house!!!
🙂
Can you make these the day before an event/ will they keep overnight?
wow! These look so good! I love green olives and what a fun way to work them into an app. I love that they are baked, not fried. Something I dread doing at my house!
Woke up this morning with a baking urge…and chose these!! Ommmmaaaagawshhhh!! Delicious!!!
This looks like a really fun recipe! I am definitely going to try it! thanks! karen…
hi, I have had a recipe similar to this for many years. you use cheese from the little glass containers, butter, flour and mix. shape ball around olive. delicious. it is getting harder to find the cheese so am glad to get your updated recipe.
I made these for a potluck today and it did not go over well. I think if you like cheese straws you would like this appetizer b/c the cheese puff taste just like a cheese straw or even a cheese nip. I would not make again.
My Mom used to make these for dinner parties when I was a kid. they were for the grownups, but I loved them and used to steal them when I could. My Mom also used to freeze them ahead of cooking, and then bake them just before serving. They were always wonderful. thanks for sharing!