Savory Appetizer Cheesecake Recipes

SAVORY CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• For the crust: Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spray the bottom of four 4-inch springform pans with nonstick spray.
• Mix the cracker crumbs, butter and pecans in a medium bowl until evenly moistened. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the prepared pans. Bake until the crusts are golden brown, about 10 minutes. Cool the pans on a rack.
• Once completely cool, spray the sides of the pans with cooking spray and line with strips of parchment.
• For the Cheddar-pimento cheesecake: Add the cream cheese, Cheddar, pimentos, Worcestershire, hot sauce and some salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Spoon the mixture on top of one of the cooled crusts in the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, unmold the sides of the pan from the cake and peel off the parchment. Top with the candied bacon and scallion greens.
• For the blue cheese cheesecake: Add the cream cheese, blue cheese, cream and some salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Fold in the dates and shallots. Spoon the mixture on top of one of the cooled crusts in the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, unmold the sides of the pan from the cake and peel off the parchment. Top with the candied walnuts and a drizzle of honey.
• For the mozzarella-basil cheesecake: Add the cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, cream and some salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Fold in the chopped basil. Spoon the mixture on top of one of the cooled crusts in the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, unmold the sides of the pan from the cake and peel off the parchment. Top with the cherry tomatoes, drizzles of balsamic syrup and olive oil and a sprig of basil.
• For the goat cheese-herb cheesecake: Add the cream cheese, goat cheese, cream, parsley, rosemary, lemon zest, Worcestershire to taste and some salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Beat together using an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Spoon the mixture on top of one of the cooled crusts in the pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Spread the jam over top. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate 4 hours.
• When ready to serve, unmold the sides of the pan from the cake and peel off the parchment.

SAVORY APPETIZER CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• In a skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels. In the drippings, saute onion and garlic until tender; remove with a slotted spoon. , In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, cream, flour, salt and cayenne; beat until smooth. Add eggs, beat on low speed just until combined. Set aside 3 tablespoons bacon for garnish. Stir in green onions, sauteed onion and remaining bacon into egg mixture. Pour into greased 8-in. springform pan. Place on a baking sheet., Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with reserved bacon. Serve warm with crackers and fruit. Refrigerate leftovers.

SAVORY BLUE CHEESE CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Whip the cream in a medium bowl until stiff and season with salt and pepper. Set aside 1 ounce of the blue cheese, and mash the rest with a fork in a separate bowl. Stir in the basil, oregano and thyme, then fold in the whipped cream.
• Place a 3 inch metal ring (or biscuit cutter) onto a serving plate, and fill the bottom with walnuts. Spoon the whipped cream mixture into the ring, and smooth the top. Carefully remove the ring. Sprinkle the remaining blue cheese and grapes over the top.

JALAPENO CHEESECAKE (SAVORY)

Steps:

• Mix first four ingredients together with half of the jelly in a food processor or with an electric beater.
• Pour mixture into greased 6- inch springform pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.
• Cool completely and remove from pan.
• Heat remaining jelly and pour over top of cheesecake.

SOUTHWEST APPETIZER CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Place tortilla chips in a large Ziploc bag.
• Finely crush chips with mallet or rolling pin to measure 2/3 cup.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Combine crushed chips and margarine; press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
• Bake 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, process cottage cheese in processor or blender until smooth.
• Beat cream cheese and cottage cheese in large bowl with and electric mixer on med. speed until well blended.
• Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Stir in cheddar cheese and chilies.
• Pour mixture over baked crust.
• Return to oven; bake 60 minutes.
• Combine sour cream and dip in small bowl; mix thoroughly.
• Remove cheesecake from oven and carefully pour sour cream mixture evenly over top.
• Return cheesecake to oven; bake 10 minutes more.
• Remove cheesecake from oven.
• Let stand at room temperature to cool slightly.
• Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool completely before removing rim.
• Refrigerate cheesecake until ready to serve.
• Just before serving, top with the tomatoes, green onions and olives.
• Cut into wedges to serve.
• Note: The 8 oz. cans of jalepeño cheddar dip are found, usually, on the rack in front of the tortilla chips, and potato chips.

SAVORY BREAKFAST MINI CHEESECAKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray 24 muffin tin cups with cooking spray or use paper liners.
• Mix bread crumbs, Pecorino Romano cheese, and melted butter together in a small bowl. Spoon about 1 teaspoon mixture into each of the prepared muffin cups, pressing down.
• Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer in a large bowl until fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time until combined. Stir in Gruyere cheese, half-and-half, ham, bacon, bell pepper, green onions, salt, and pepper. Pour about 1/4 cup of the mixture into each muffin cup, filling each about 3/4 full.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheesecakes are firm to the touch and lightly browned, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool in muffin tins for 10 minutes.