7 Days of Not Counting Calories | Episode 7: Crispy Mushroom Phyllo Cups That Feel Like Café Food at Home
We've reached the final episode of 7 Days of Not Counting Calories, and honestly, I couldn't think of a better way to end this series. Over the past week, we've celebrated comfort food, cheesy cravings, crispy snacks, and all the recipes that remind us that food is meant to be enjoyed—not feared.
For the grand finale, we're making Crispy Mushroom Phyllo Cups. Delicate, buttery layers of flaky phyllo pastry are baked until perfectly golden, then filled with a rich, creamy garlic mushroom filling that's packed with Parmesan, cream cheese, and fresh herbs. Every bite is light, crisp, creamy, and full of flavour—exactly the kind of appetiser you'd order at your favourite café.
What I love most about this recipe is how elegant it looks while being surprisingly simple to make. Whether you're serving it at a dinner party, festive gathering, or just treating yourself to something a little special, these mushroom phyllo cups are guaranteed to impress.
And what better way to wrap up this series than with a recipe that's every bit as indulgent as the ones before it?
Note
Ingredients
For the Phyllo Cups
3 sheets phyllo pastry, thawed
20g butter, melted
For the Mushroom Filling
125g mushrooms, finely chopped
½ tbsp butter
½ tsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp finely chopped onion
¼ tsp dried thyme
Salt and black pepper, to taste
30g cream cheese, softened
1 tbsp fresh cream
1 tbsp grated Parmesan
1 tbsp chopped parsley
For Garnish
Parmesan shavings
Fresh parsley
Cracked black pepper
Chilli flakes (optional)
How to Make Mushroom Phyllo Cups
Step 1: Prepare the Phyllo Cups
Preheat your oven to 180°C.
Brush each phyllo pastry sheet generously with melted butter and stack all three sheets together.
Cut the stacked pastry into six equal squares.
Gently press each square into a greased muffin tray to create little pastry cups.
Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until beautifully golden and crisp.
Step 2: Make the Mushroom Filling
Meanwhile, heat the butter and olive oil in a pan.
Sauté the onion until soft, then add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the chopped mushrooms and cook over high heat until all the moisture has evaporated and the mushrooms are nicely browned.
Season with dried thyme, salt, and black pepper.
Reduce the heat and stir in the cream cheese, fresh cream, grated Parmesan, and chopped parsley. Mix until the filling becomes smooth, creamy, and well combined.
Step 3: Assemble the Phyllo Cups
Carefully spoon the warm mushroom filling into each baked phyllo cup.
Finish with Parmesan shavings, fresh parsley, cracked black pepper, and a sprinkle of chilli flakes if you enjoy a little heat.
Serve immediately while the pastry is crisp and the filling is warm and creamy.
Tips for Perfect Mushroom Phyllo Cups
Keep the phyllo pastry covered with a damp cloth while working so it doesn't dry out.
Cook the mushrooms over high heat to remove excess moisture and concentrate their flavour.
Don't overfill the pastry cups, or they'll lose their crispness.
Assemble the cups just before serving for the best texture.
Freshly grated Parmesan gives the filling the richest flavour.
My Favourite Way to Enjoy Them
These mushroom phyllo cups are my favourite appetiser to serve when friends come over because they look elegant but are incredibly easy to make. I love pairing them with a refreshing drink and serving them warm, straight from the oven. The crisp pastry, creamy mushroom filling, and savoury Parmesan topping make every bite feel like something you'd enjoy at a cosy little café.
Final Thoughts
And that's a wrap on 7 Days of Not Counting Calories. This series has been a reminder that food is so much more than numbers—it's comfort, celebration, creativity, and joy. From cheesy snacks to indulgent desserts and everything in between, every recipe has been about enjoying the moment and making memories around the table.
These Crispy Mushroom Phyllo Cups are the perfect finale—light, flaky, creamy, and full of incredible flavour. Whether you've cooked along for all seven days or you're just discovering this recipe now, I hope it inspires you to cook what you love, savour every bite, and remember that sometimes the best meals are the ones enjoyed without counting a single calorie.