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These Sweet Chili Almond Tuile Cups with Cream Cheese are what you serve when you want a snack that’s elegant, unexpected, and totally delicious. They’re crispy, creamy, sweet, and just a little spicy — like your favorite cheese board turned into a bite-sized cup!
I first made these for a girls’ night and they vanished in minutes. The crunchy almond tuile cup holds the creamy whipped cheese perfectly, and the drizzle of sweet chili sauce adds a pop of heat and sweetness that’s hard to resist.
The best part? You can either serve them chilled or give them a quick blast in the air fryer to warm and crisp them up. They only take about 3–4 minutes at 340°F, so they’re ideal for last-minute entertaining or when you want something that looks impressive without a lot of fuss.
Let’s get into it — these are the kind of bites that make people say, “Wait… what is this?! I need the recipe.”
🥕 Ingredients Overview
Here’s what makes these bites so special:
- Almond tuile cups – You can buy pre-made tuile cups or use a thin almond cookie or florentine and shape it into a cup while warm. These cups are delicate and add a nutty, buttery crunch.
- Whipped cream cheese – Soft, airy, and slightly tangy — perfect for balancing the sweetness and spice.
- Sweet chili sauce – A glossy drizzle of sweet heat. You’ll find it in the Asian aisle of most grocery stores. Thai Kitchen and Mae Ploy are great brands.
Prep Tips:
- Don’t overfill the cups — cream cheese will spill when biting.
- Chill the cream cheese for cleaner piping or spooning.
- Use a small spoon or piping bag for neat presentation.
Swaps & Notes:
- Use goat cheese or mascarpone for a twist.
- Try pepper jelly instead of chili sauce for Southern vibes.
- Garnish with chopped chives, sesame seeds, or a tiny basil leaf.
🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions
- If using homemade tuile cups, bake and shape them first using almond tuile batter.
- Whip the cream cheese (if not pre-whipped) using a hand mixer or spoon until smooth and fluffy.
- Fill each tuile cup with about 1–2 tsp of whipped cream cheese.
- Drizzle each filled cup with about 1/2 tsp of sweet chili sauce.
- Optional warming step: Place the filled cups in the air fryer at 340°F for 3–4 minutes, just to gently warm and crisp.
- Pro Tip: Don’t overfill before air frying — cream cheese can melt and spill.
- Serve immediately or chill and serve cold — both ways work beautifully.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overfilling the tuile cups — less is more here.
- Using a thick chili sauce — it should drizzle easily.
- Skipping the chill — cream cheese is best when slightly firm.
- Air frying too long — cups can overbrown quickly.
- Filling too early — tuiles can soften if they sit too long.
🎨 Variations & Add-Ons
- Make it spicy: Add a dab of chili crisp or sriracha on top.
- Sweet version: Use honey + crushed pistachios instead of chili sauce.
- Herby: Add chopped chives or green onion to the cream cheese.
- Cheese swap: Try whipped goat cheese, ricotta, or even a herbed Boursin.
- Fruit twist: Add a tiny piece of mango or roasted red pepper.
📦 Make Ahead & Storage
These are best assembled close to serving time, but you can prep components ahead:
- Whip and chill the cream cheese up to 2 days in advance.
- Keep tuile cups in an airtight container at room temp for 2–3 days.
To serve warm, fill just before air frying and go for 3–4 minutes max.
Leftovers? Store assembled bites in the fridge for up to 1 day. The cups may soften slightly.
🥗 Nutrition Highlights
Each filled cup is approximately 90–110 calories, depending on the size and amount of filling.
Sweet Chili Almond Tuile Cups with Cream Cheese
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Whip cream cheese if needed.
- Spoon or pipe 1–2 tsp into each tuile cup.
- Drizzle with ~1/2 tsp sweet chili sauce.
- Optional: Air fry at 340°F for 3–4 minutes.
- Serve warm or chilled.
Notes
- Don’t overfill — cups are delicate.
- Assemble just before serving for max crunch.
- Store cream cheese and cups separately until ready.
These little sweet chili cream cheese cups are the kind of thing that spark conversation at parties — unique, beautiful, and so tasty. Whether you serve them warm or chilled, they’re always a hit. Let me know how yours turn out, and tag me in your creations! Want another fancy little bite? Try my air fryer brie & fig jam tartlets — sweet, cheesy, and ready in minutes!
