Mary Berry Cheese and Olive Bites Recipe

This Mary Berry Cheese and Olive Bites recipe is a cheesy and savory appetizer, which is made with mature Cheddar cheese and pimiento-stuffed olives. It’s the perfect party appetizer, ready in about 30 minutes.

Mary Berry Cheese and Olive Bites Ingredients

• 175 g (6 oz) mature Cheddar cheese, grated
• 90 g (3 oz) plain flour
• 15 g (1/2 oz) butter, plus extra for greasing
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp mustard powder
• 20 pimiento-stuffed green olives
• cayenne pepper and parsley sprigs, to garnish

How To Make Mary Berry Cheese and Olive Bites

1. Make the cheese dough: In a food processor, combine the grated cheese, flour, butter, paprika, and mustard powder. Pulse until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
2. Wrap the olives: Take a small amount of the dough mixture and flatten it in the palm of your hand. Place a pimiento-stuffed olive in the centre and carefully wrap the dough around it, rolling it into a small ball. Repeat with the remaining olives and dough.
3. Bake the bites: Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan, Gas 6). Lightly butter a baking tray. Arrange the wrapped olives on the tray.
4. Cool slightly: Bake for 15 minutes until the pastry is crisp and golden. Remove the cheese and olive bites from the baking tray and leave them to cool slightly on a wire rack.
5. Garnish and serve: Serve the bites warm or cold, sprinkled with a little cayenne pepper and garnished with fresh parsley sprigs.

Recipe Tips

• What kind of cheese is best? A strong, mature Cheddar is essential for getting a rich, cheesy flavour. A Red Leicester would also work well.
• Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes, you can make the cheese dough up to two days in advance. Wrap it tightly in cling film and store it in the refrigerator. Let it come to room temperature for about 20 minutes before using it.
• Can I use different olives? Pimiento-stuffed olives are classic, but you could also use olives stuffed with almonds or garlic for a different flavour profile.
• How to get an even coating? For the neatest finish, use your hands to roll the dough into a smooth ball first, then flatten it into a small disc before wrapping it around the olive.

What To Serve With Cheese and Olive Bites

These savory bites are a perfect party snack and pair wonderfully with a variety of drinks.

• A glass of chilled white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc
• A light beer or lager
• Classic cocktails like a gin and tonic

How To Store Cheese and Olive Bites

• Refrigerate: Store the cooked and cooled bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: These freeze brilliantly. Place the unbaked, dough-wrapped olives on a tray and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag. You can bake them directly from frozen, adding about 5-10 extra minutes to the cooking time.

FAQs

• Can I make these without a food processor? Yes. Place the flour, paprika, and mustard powder in a bowl. Grate the cheese and cold butter into the bowl. Use your fingertips to rub the ingredients together until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
• Why is my dough crumbly? The mixture is meant to be quite dry. Use your hands to press it together firmly; the warmth will help it form a cohesive dough. If it’s still too crumbly, add a tiny drop of cold water, but be careful not to make it sticky.
• Can I double this recipe? Yes, this recipe is easily doubled or tripled if you are catering for a larger crowd.

Try More Recipes:

• Mary Berry’s Brioches with Wild Mushrooms and Watercress Recipe
• Mary Berry Chèvre Croûtes Recipe
• Mary Berry’s Sun-dried Tomato Crostini Recipe

Mary Berry Cheese and Olive Bites Recipe

Course: AppetizersCuisine: British

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Calories

317

kcal

Savory Cheddar cheese pastry wrapped around a pimiento-stuffed olive, baked until golden and crisp.

Ingredients

• 175 g (6 oz) mature Cheddar cheese, grated
  

• 90 g (3 oz) plain flour
  

• 15 g (1/2 oz) butter
  

• 1 tsp paprika
  

• 1/2 tsp mustard powder
  

• 20 pimiento-stuffed green olives
  

• Cayenne pepper and parsley, for garnish

Directions

• Pulse cheese, flour, butter, paprika, and mustard powder in a food processor until it resembles breadcrumbs.
  
• Take small pieces of the dough, flatten them, and wrap each one around an olive to form a ball.
  
• Place the balls on a buttered baking tray.
  
• Bake at 200°C (180°C fan, Gas 6) for 15 minutes until golden.
  
• Let them cool slightly before serving.
  
• Garnish with a sprinkle of cayenne pepper and fresh parsley.