Description
These adorable Cheese and Olive Penguins are a fun, festive appetizer perfect for parties and holiday gatherings. Combining creamy mozzarella, tangy olives, and sweet carrots, these bite-sized penguins are both visually charming and delicious. Easy to assemble and sure to impress guests, they add a whimsical touch to your appetizer spread.
Ingredients
Scale
Penguin Body
- 10 mozzarella balls
- 10 large black olives, cut in half lengthwise
- 10 medium black olives
- Cream cheese (for securing pieces)
Penguin Features
- 10 carrot slices
- Mini red peppers (optional, for Santa hats)
- 1 long toothpick or cocktail skewer
Instructions
- Prepare the Feet: Cut a small triangle shape out from each carrot slice to create the penguin’s feet.
- Attach Wings: Using cream cheese as an adhesive, secure the two lengthwise-halved large black olives to the sides of each mozzarella ball. Position the olive halves so they touch at the back and fan out slightly at the front to resemble wings.
- Make the Beak: Take the small triangular carrot pieces and cut them in half again to form the beak halves. Insert one beak half into the small hole of each medium olive to create the penguin’s head beak.
- Assemble the Penguin: Thread a long toothpick or cocktail skewer through the olive head, down through the mozzarella body, and anchor it into the carrot feet piece to hold all components firmly together.
- Add Santa Hats (Optional): Cut the tips off mini red peppers to form tiny hats and attach them to the top of the penguin’s olive head using a small dot of cream cheese. This adds a festive finish to the appetizer.
Notes
- For a vegetarian appetizer, ensure olives and mozzarella are sourced accordingly.
- Use fresh mozzarella balls for best texture and taste.
- These penguins are best served chilled and within a few hours of assembly to maintain freshness.
- Mini red peppers are optional but enhance presentation especially during winter holidays.
- Feel free to use other colored mini peppers for creative variations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: cheese penguins, olive appetizers, mozzarella snacks, holiday appetizers, party food, no-cook appetizers
