Easy Manchego Cheese Bites are a simple appetizer made with salty prosciutto and sweet fig jam. These take almost no time and zero cooking skills to make, but they turn out looking so impressive and fly right off the plate.
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I love making bite-sized appetizers, like my Stuffed Olives, Grape Jelly Meatballs, Spring Rolls, and Stuffed Mushrooms, since they are so much easier to eat while standing and chatting. These Manchego Cheese, Prosciutto, and Fig Jam Bites are just as simple to grab and go, but they look and taste so elegant.
Manchego Cheese Bites Video
This simple Manchego Cheese bites recipe is as easy as it gets! Watch Natasha use three ingredients to make this elegant and tasty appetizer.
Easy Manchego Cheese Appetizer
Manchego is one of my favorite cheeses for appetizers – you should see them arranged on a Charcuterie Board – it’s adorbs! (Do people still say adorbs? I started and now I can’t stop).
As I was saying, Manchego is sturdy and keeps its shape, so it’s great as a base that you can build on. It’s also a very tasty cheese. I buy mine at Costco where they come in 1 1/2 lb wedges. I cut those wedges into 3 and keep them vacuum-sealed in the refrigerator until I need them.
How This Appetizer Recipe was Born
Thanks to my fellow blogger and good friend, Lena, who catered our food blogging retreat this year. She always makes the best food, and I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy her cooking at several retreats—it’s always something I look forward to. You should check her out on Lena’s Kitchen Blog. She has such a gift for cooking and hosting, and she’s just a good human.
Anyway, she made these Manchego Cheese Bites for one of our retreats, and I was smitten. I recreated it for my family and friends, and it’s been a hit every time.
Ingredients for Manchego Cheese Bites
Let’s get right to it. You’ll need just 3 ingredients for an elegant, easy-to-make appetizer your guests will adore. If that’s just too simple for you—check out the variation ideas I’ve included below.
- Manchego Cheese – Buy this in a wedge and follow the directions in step 1 to trim the rind and slice.
- Fig spread or preserves – fig complements the cheese and prosciutto well, but you can swap any type of preserves you prefer—maybe grape jelly or Plum Jam would be the closest substitute.
- Prosciutto – we buy packaged prosciutto, but if you’re asking at the deli counter, be sure to get Proscuitto de Parma (also called Prosciutto Crudo) cut as thinly as possible.
Pro Tip:
Storing Manchego Cheese – Cut the wedge into portions and then store in a vacuum-sealed package in the fridge until ready to eat. Refrigerated, vacuum-sealed cheese will last 2-3 months or maybe longer, while cheese in a zip-top bag lasts only 2-3 weeks since contact with air makes it spoil faster.
Variations
Once you’ve mastered my Manchego Cheese bites, try these variations for a unique take on the appetizer.
- Apple – add a thin slice of apple between the preserves and the prosciutto
- Salami – swap the prosciutto for a thin slice or half slice of salami
- Figs – substitute a slice of fresh fig for the fig preserves. Layer the ingredients and then use a toothpick to hold the bite together.
How to Make Manchego Cheese Bites
This Manchego Cheese appetizer is so easy it almost feels like cheating. Your guests will love these tasty bites, and you won’t have to tell them how simple they are.
- How to Cut Manchego Cheese – Trim the edges off the three sides of the Manchego wedge, but leave the back rind for holding. Slice into thin triangles and then arrange for serving. (only cut what you plan to serve since the cheese keeps best in a bloc)
- Add Preserves – Dollop a 1/2 tsp of preserves on the wider end of the wedge—you only need a small amount, so the preserves don’t run off the cheese slice.Â
- Add Prosciutto – Fold a ribbon of the prosciutto into a bunch, and place over the fig dollop. How elegant and effortless! Serve right away, or cover and store in the fridge.
Make-Ahead
Manchego Cheese Bites keep well refrigerated so you can pre-make this appetizer for your next gathering.
- To Refrigerate: Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or until ready to serve.
These easy Manchego Cheese Bites combine an elegant stack of cheese, fig preserves, and prosciutto. It is such a tasty and satisfying flavor combination and takes just moments to prepare. They are perfect for Holiday menus or your next potluck event.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
When you’re hosting an event, it’s great to have a dish that impresses without taking a ton of work. Once you try these Manchego Cheese Bites, check out these other simple appetizers that will steal the show but not your prep time.
Manchego Cheese Bites
These Manchego Prosciutto and Fig Jam Bites are so easy. It’s literally 3 ingredients and this recipe requires zero cooking skills. If you have a knife and a platter or board to set them out on, you’re set!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Prevent your screen from going dark
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Trim the ends of your manchego cheese to remove the rind if present. Keep the back rind on the cheese which will be used as a handle for serving the cheese. Cut your cheese into thin triangles and arrange them on a serving platter.
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Add about 1/2 tsp of the fig preserves over the thicker wider part of the cheese slice.
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Fold a piece of prosciutto into a ribbon and set that over the preserves. Serve right away or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
83kcal Calories2g Carbs4g Protein6g Fat
Nutrition Facts
Manchego Cheese Bites
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
