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Christmas Tree Mini Quiches Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a festive appetizer that’s both cute and delicious, you absolutely have to try this Christmas Tree Mini Quiches Recipe. I promise, these little potato-based quiches shaped like Christmas trees are not only charming but also surprisingly easy to make. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or just want to impress family with something a bit different, this recipe will become your go-to. Plus, they’re fluffy, cheesy, and come with a fresh burst from the romanesco broccoli “trees” — trust me, everyone will want the recipe after tasting these!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Festive & Fun Presentation: The romanesco broccoli looks like tiny Christmas trees topping each quiche — it’s a real crowd-pleaser.
  • Gluten-Free Friendly Option: Swap regular flour for chickpea flour to keep it gluten-free without sacrificing texture.
  • Light yet Satisfying: These mini quiches use potato cups instead of heavy pastry, making them surprisingly light but filling.
  • Easy to Make Ahead: You can prep the potato cups in advance, making party day much less stressful.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Christmas Tree Mini Quiches Recipe plays a special role. The starchy potatoes create a perfectly crisp base, while the eggs and goat cheese add richness. Romanesco broccoli isn’t just pretty—it’s perfect for mimicking tiny pine trees, and the pomegranate gives a juicy pop that’s so festive.

Flat lay of peeled starchy potatoes roughly grated, a whole vibrant green romanesco broccoli with intricate fractal florets, six whole clean uncracked brown eggs, a small white ceramic bowl of pale beige chickpea flour, a small white ceramic bowl with golden olive oil, a few bright red pomegranate seeds scattered, a small white ceramic bowl of soft fresh white goat cheese crumbles, a small white ceramic bowl with creamy milk, a small pile of coarse sea salt crystals, and a small pile of freshly ground black peppercorns placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Christmas Tree Mini Quiches, festive holiday appetizers, easy mini quiche recipes, cheesy Christmas party snacks, gluten-free holiday starters
  • Peeled Potato: Starchy potatoes work best to hold the base together; russets or similar varieties are ideal.
  • Romanesco Broccoli: Its beautiful, fractal shape makes it a perfect stand-in for Christmas trees.
  • Eggs: They bind everything and provide a lovely fluffy texture.
  • Flour: Chickpea flour is a great gluten-free option, but regular all-purpose works fine too.
  • Olive Oil: Adds healthy fat and helps the base crisp up nicely.
  • Pomegranate Grains: For an unexpected burst of color and sweetness to top the trees.
  • Fresh Goat Cheese: For a creamy, tangy flavor that melts beautifully.
  • Milk (optional): I use it to lighten the egg mixture, but you can skip it if you prefer.
  • Salt and Pepper: To season and bring out all the flavors.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love tweaking this Christmas Tree Mini Quiches Recipe to fit different tastes and dietary needs — and you’ll find it really adaptable too. Feel free to switch things up depending on what you have on hand or who you’re cooking for.

  • Cheese Variations: I’ve tried feta or cream cheese instead of goat cheese for a different tangy twist, and they all work wonderfully.
  • Vegan Version: Use a chickpea flour “egg” batter and vegan cheese to make it dairy-free and vegan. The texture is still just as lovely.
  • Herbs & Spices: Adding fresh thyme or rosemary to the potato mix adds a Christmas-y aroma that’s irresistible.
  • Other Veggies: For a pop of color, I sometimes add finely chopped red bell peppers or sautéed mushrooms to the egg filling.

How to Make Christmas Tree Mini Quiches Recipe

Step 1: Create the Crispy Potato Base Cups

Start by peeling and finely grating your potatoes — I use a fine-hole mandolin but a box grater works just as well. Here’s a pro tip: once grated, wrap the potato in a clean kitchen towel and really squeeze out as much liquid as possible. This step helps get that golden, crispy crust instead of soggy potato cups. Mix the grated potato with flour, olive oil, salt, and pepper, then press this mixture firmly into a greased silicone or metal muffin tray, shaping it into little cups. Pop these into a preheated 180°C (350°F) oven for 15 minutes — just enough to set them up lightly without browning too much yet.

Step 2: Prepare the “Christmas Tree” Romanesco Broccoli

While your potato cups are baking, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cut your romanesco broccoli into small florets — they look like little pine trees, which is why I love using them here! Blanch the florets for about 2 minutes until just tender, then immediately plunge them into ice-cold water to keep that striking green color vibrant for your presentation. Let them drain and set aside. This step makes sure the “trees” stay crisp and colorful.

Step 3: Whisk the Egg Filling and Bake Again

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk (if you’re using it) along with salt and pepper until smooth. Carefully fill each of your half-baked potato cups about three-quarters full with this egg mixture. Return the tray to the oven at 180°C (350°F) and bake for another 15 minutes. Around the 13-minute mark, sprinkle shredded fresh goat cheese onto each quiche so that it has time to melt perfectly without burning.

Step 4: Assemble the Christmas Trees

Now for the fun finishing touch! Take a toothpick and gently insert it into the base of each romanesco floret, so part of the toothpick sticks out the top. Carefully add a pomegranate seed on the tip to mimic a festive tree topper. Once the mini quiches come out of the oven, cool them for just a couple of minutes, then remove them from the muffin tray. Stick the decorated romanesco “trees” into the center of each quiche right before serving.

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Pro Tips for Making Christmas Tree Mini Quiches Recipe

  • Squeeze Those Potatoes Well: The drier the grated potatoes, the crispier your cups—don’t rush this step!
  • Use Silicone Muffin Trays: They make it so easy to pop out the mini quiches without breaking the delicate edges.
  • Add Cheese Late: Sprinkle goat cheese in the last few minutes of baking so it melts but doesn’t over-brown.
  • Prevent Soggy Broccoli: Don’t skip the ice bath after blanching the romanesco—it keeps them bright and perfect for presentation.

How to Serve Christmas Tree Mini Quiches Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a small tart with three layers on a round glass coaster placed over a red-checkered cloth on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a crisp, golden-brown nest made from thin, stringy pieces shaped like a basket. The middle layer is a smooth, creamy light beige filling that slightly melts over the edges of the nest. The top layer is a small bright green Romanesco broccoli piece shaped like a Christmas tree, decorated with a small red berry on the tip. In the background, there are three more tarts on a white plate with a red rim, slightly out of focus. The entire scene is set against a black background with some green and red blurred shapes from a plant and a white cylindrical object to the right. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Christmas Tree Mini Quiches, festive holiday appetizers, easy mini quiche recipes, cheesy Christmas party snacks, gluten-free holiday starters

Garnishes

I like to finish these little bites off with a few extra pomegranate seeds scattered on the serving platter, adding festive sparkle and a sweet-tart pop that cuts through the richness. Sometimes, I also toss on a little fresh parsley or a tiny dusting of smoked paprika for a splash of color and flavor—just enough to make them look even more special.

Side Dishes

These mini quiches can shine as an appetizer or party snack, but they also pair beautifully with a crisp green salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette or a light winter slaw featuring apple and walnuts. For a heartier meal, roasted root vegetables or a chestnut soup alongside these quiches set a lovely festive mood.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, for a holiday brunch, I arranged the mini quiches on a large wooden board with sprigs of pine and holly tucked between them—immediately, they looked like a Christmas forest! You might also use small festive cupcake liners, or line your platter with fresh rosemary branches to mimic forest undergrowth. Little touches like this really elevate the presentation and make guests smile before they even take a bite.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you end up with leftovers (I’ve never had many!), keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I recommend adding the romanesco trees fresh before serving again, as they can get soggy when stored.

Freezing

You can freeze the baked potato cups without filling to speed up future preparations. Just freeze them spread out on a tray, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. When ready to use, thaw, fill with your egg mix, and bake as usual. Keep in mind, the romanesco trees are best added fresh.

Reheating

To reheat, pop the mini quiches in a preheated oven at 170°C (340°F) for about 10 minutes, so they warm evenly without drying out. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep that crispy potato base intact.

FAQs

  1. Can I make the Christmas Tree Mini Quiches Recipe dairy-free?

    Absolutely! Swap the goat cheese for a dairy-free cheese alternative or omit it altogether, and replace milk with almond or oat milk in the egg mixture. The texture and look remain delightful.

  2. What can I substitute for romanesco broccoli?

    Cauliflower or broccoli florets work well if you can’t find romanesco. While you won’t get the same unique fractal look, they still make cute little tree shapes after blanching.

  3. Can I prepare these mini quiches entirely in advance?

    You can prepare and bake the potato cups the day before and refrigerate them, then assemble and bake the egg filling just before serving for maximum freshness.

  4. How do I prevent the potato cups from getting soggy?

    Be sure to squeeze out as much moisture as possible from the grated potatoes before mixing and baking. Also, avoid overfilling with the egg mixture, which helps keep the crust crisp.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Christmas Tree Mini Quiches Recipe feels festive and special, yet stays straightforward enough to whip up without stress. When I first made these, the combination of fluffy potato cups with melty goat cheese and those whimsical romanesco trees made my family go crazy (in the best way!). If you want to create holiday magic in your kitchen with a unique twist on mini quiches, this recipe is your new secret weapon. Give it a try—you’ll be so glad you did!

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Christmas Tree Mini Quiches Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 133 reviews
  • Author: Jasmine
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 mini quiches
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: European
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Delight your holiday guests with these festive Christmas Tree Mini Quiches, featuring fluffy potato cups filled with creamy eggs, topped with vibrant Romanesco broccoli florets and fresh goat cheese. This easy and healthy appetizer combines a crispy potato base with soft egg filling, perfect for your holiday table or any special occasion.


Ingredients

Potato Cups

  • 700 grams (1.5 lb) peeled starchy potato
  • 3 tablespoons flour (use chickpea flour for gluten-free option)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Quiche Filling

  • 6 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons milk (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 100 grams (3.5 oz) fresh goat cheese

Christmas Tree Decoration

  • 1 Romanesco broccoli
  • Few grains of pomegranate


Instructions

  1. Prepare Potato Cups: Peel and finely grate the potatoes using a fine hole mandolin or cheese grater. Place the grated potatoes in a clean towel and squeeze out all excess moisture. In a bowl, mix the grated potato with flour, olive oil, salt, and pepper until well combined. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of greased or silicone muffin trays to form cup shapes. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 15 minutes to set.
  2. Cook Romanesco Broccoli Florets: While the potato cups bake, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cut the Romanesco broccoli into small florets resembling pine trees. Add the florets to the boiling water and cook for about 2 minutes or until tender but still crisp. Drain and immediately transfer them to ice-cold water to preserve their bright green color. Set aside for decoration.
  3. Prepare Egg Filling: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk (if using), salt, and pepper until smooth. Fill each partially baked potato cup halfway with the egg mixture. Return the tray to the oven and bake at 180°C (350°F) for another 15 minutes.
  4. Add Goat Cheese: Two minutes before the eggs finish baking, sprinkle shredded goat cheese evenly on top of each quiche. This allows the cheese to melt nicely without overcooking.
  5. Assemble Christmas Trees: Once out of the oven, let the mini quiches cool for 2 minutes, then carefully remove them from the muffin tray. To create the Christmas tree decoration, insert a toothpick into the bottom of each Romanesco broccoli floret with the tip protruding. Place a single grain of pomegranate on the tip to mimic a festive tree topper.
  6. Serve: Place the decorated Romanesco florets atop the mini quiches and serve warm. Enjoy these charming, flavorful appetizers that are sure to impress your guests!

Notes

  • This recipe is naturally gluten-free if chickpea flour is used instead of regular flour.
  • For a richer filling, you can add a splash of cream instead of milk.
  • The Romanesco broccoli florets add a fresh, slightly crunchy texture as well as a beautiful festive look.
  • Allow the mini quiches to cool slightly before removing from the muffin tin to maintain their shape.
  • These mini quiches can be prepared ahead and reheated gently before serving.
  • The goat cheese can be substituted with feta or another crumbly cheese if desired.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 mini quiche
  • Calories: 140 kcal
  • Sugar: 1.5 g
  • Sodium: 140 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg

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