These Mini Charcuterie Cups are an easy to prepare, super versatile party appetizer that’s perfect for game days, New Years Eve, or any other get-together. Filled with all of the meats, cheeses, fruits, and snacks you might find on a traditional charcuterie board, each individual appetizer is ready to serve and can be eaten while mingling.
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Individual Charcuterie Cups
These single serving Mini Charcuterie Cups are a fun and functional way to serve handheld appetizers at your next party. Each charcuterie in a cup can be assembled ahead of time so that once your guests arrive, they can just grab and enjoy.
Hardly a recipe, this post is meant to give you plenty of ideas so that you can add ingredients in the cups that you and your guests will love. Just like a traditional charcuterie board, you’ll want to include a variety of textures, flavors, meats, cheeses, crackers, and even sweets. Feel free to get creative and switch it up.
Ingredients for Mini Charcuterie Cups
- Cheese - I like to use a couple of different types of cheese on each skewer to give a little variety. This recipe calls for both sharp cheddar cheese and Pepperjack cut into ¾” cubes. Other types of cheese to use would be any kind of cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella balls, Havarti, or really any other type that you like. Softer cheeses like goat cheese and Brie can be sliced into wedges and placed into the cups but don’t work as well on skewers.
- Meat - this recipe calls for 2 slices of salami and 2 slices of pepperoni per skewer. You could also use prosciutto, sliced beef sticks, or any other type of cured meats.
- Fruit - berries are easy and delicious. I like to use either a whole or half strawberry per skewer along with blackberries and 2-3 blueberries. Grapes, berries, and figs work well, as would dried fruits such as apricots and cherries.
- Cookies - macarons are a great option for Mini Charcuterie Cups because they add some color and give the cups a bit of a fancier look. Any other type of small individual cookies would work great.
- Chocolate Covered Pretzels - these add a nice bit of sweetness and chocolate while also giving a little salty flavor from the pretzels. Plain pretzels would also work.
- Crackers - choose any of your favorite crackers or cheese twists to add to the cups.
- Twists - Our Cinnamon Twists with Puff Pastry or our Cheese Twists are a perfect addition.
- Bamboo Toothpicks - you’ll want bamboo toothpicks that are about 5-6” long so that they are able to hold enough and stick out from the individual Charcuterie Cups.
- Individual Cups - you can use plastic cups or choose from a variety of different decorative cups. Mini takeout containers are another cute option to use for this appetizer in cups.
How to Make A Mini Charcuterie Cup
- Prep the ingredients. Prep any ingredients, including cutting cheese cubes or slicing meats. Gather 12 individual cups, 24 large toothpicks, and the rest of your ingredients.
- Arrange the skewers. Arrange 1 whole strawberry, 1 whole blackberry, and 2-3 blueberries onto 12 toothpicks. On the other 12 toothpicks, arrange 1 cube of cheddar cheese, 1 cube of Pepperjack cheese, 2 slices of salami, and 2 slices of pepperoni.
- Assemble the appetizers cups. Place 1 fruit skewer, 1 meat and cheese skewer, 1 cracker, 2 chocolate covered pretzels, and 1 macaron into each individual cup.
- Enjoy!
Charcuterie Cup Ideas
This recipe for Mini Charcuterie Cups is really just to get you started. There are countless ways to create different versions. Here are a few of our favorite Charcuterie Cup ideas to get you started making all sorts of individual appetizer cups:
- Caprese. Create Caprese skewers by adding cherries tomatoes, fresh basil, and mozzarella balls.
- Pickles. Pickles such as gherkins, sliced dill pickles, or pickled veggies are great additions that go with just about any type of meats and cheeses.
- Vegetarian. To increase the amount of vegetarian options, try using sliced veggies, olives, and more pickles.
- Regional. Have fun making different regional skewers such as Greek (Feta cheese, olives, and cherry tomatoes) or Italian (fresh basil, prosciutto, and mozzarella).
- Preserves. You could add a bit of preserves in the bottom of each cup, or serve in a bowl on the side.
- Extra ingredients. Fill the bottoms of the cups with nuts, seeds, or other crunchy items.
- Garnish. You can also garnish each cup with fillers like fresh rosemary sprigs, cheese twists, hard cheeses sliced into long sticks, pretzel rods, and so much more.
- Build-Your-Own. You could also turn this into a build-your-own Charcuterie Cups station by laying out all of the items, including premade skewers, and letting guests add the things that they love.
Charcuterie Cup Theme Ideas
- The Classic: Thinly sliced prosciutto, salami, and pepperoni with a variety of cheeses, crackers, and grapes. Perfect for any occasion!
- The Vegetarian: A colorful display of roasted vegetables, marinated artichoke hearts, olives, and creamy hummus. A delicious and healthy option for your guests!
- The Seafood Lover: Smoked salmon, boiled shrimp, and crab meat paired with crackers, cream cheese, and lemon wedges.
- The Spicy: For those who like a little heat, add sliced candied jalapenos, spicy chorizo, and pepper jack cheese spears to your Charcuterie cup. Don't forget the hot sauce!
- The Sweet Tooth: Indulge in a Charcuterie cup filled with dried fruits, chocolate-covered nuts, and a variety of sweet spreads. Perfect for dessert or a sweet snack!
- The Breakfast Charcuterie: Start your day off right with a Charcuterie cup filled with breakfast favorites like bacon, hard-boiled eggs, and croissants. Add some fruit and jam for a sweet touch.
- The International: Take your taste buds on a trip around the world with a Charcuterie cup featuring international favorites like prosciutto, brie cheese, figs, and olives. Bon appétit!
Storing and Making Ahead
- Refrigerator: keep skewers refrigerated until ready to serve. If you have leftovers, it’s best to disassemble and refrigerate in airtight containers.
- Make-ahead: skewers can be made the day before and stored in the fridge covered loosely with plastic wrap.
Mini Charcuterie Cups Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 cubes Sharp Cheddar Cheese ¾" (about 8 ounces)
- 12 cubes Pepperjack Cheese ¾" (about 8 ounces)
- 24 slices Salami (about 5 ounces)
- 24 slices Pepperoni (about 5 ounces)
- 12 whole Strawberries (about 1 pound)
- 12 whole Blackberries
- 36 whole Blueberries
- 12 Macarons or another cookie
- 24 Chocolate Covered Pretzels or plain pretzels
- 12 Crackers or cheese twists
- 24 5-6 inch Bamboo Toothpicks
Instructions
- Prep any ingredients, including cutting cheese cubes or slicing meats. Gather 12 individual cups, 24 large toothpicks, and the rest of your ingredients.
- Arrange 1 whole strawberry, 1 whole blackberry, and 2-3 blueberries onto 12 toothpicks. On the other 12 toothpicks, arrange 1 cube of cheddar cheese, 1 cube of Pepperjack cheese, 2 slices of salami, and 2 slices of pepperoni.
- Place 1 fruit skewer, 1 meat and cheese skewer, 1 cracker, 2 chocolate covered pretzels, and 1 macaron into each individual cup.
- Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Nutrition
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- Zucchini Fries
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- More Game Day Recipes
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These Individual Charcuterie Cups are an easy make-ahead party appetizer that are as delicious as they are adorable. These individual appetizers in a cup are ready to serve and super versatile.
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