No-Bake Cheesecake in Kataifi Nests
This fun and delightful seasonal treat made with kataifi nests, filled with no-bake cheesecake, and topped with robin’s “eggs” makes an adorable addition to your Easter table.
The recipe is inspired by our friends at The Fillo Factory. When they suggested I try making something with kataifi (shredded fillo dough), I gladly agreed as I love challenges.
But honestly, since I’ve never worked with kataifi before, I was not only intimidated, I dreaded and procrastinated working on this recipe for as long as I could. OK, it’s not all due to kataifi. I also thrive on looming deadlines.
And so, I’ve finally set out to make Easter nests. Armed with kataifi provided by The Fillo Factory (all opinions are my own), I laid out my ingredients. I “danced” around it for a while, finding other small chores I had wanted to do in case this project fails and it takes me a whole day to make. I wanted nothing else hanging over my head.
But, guys! I’m still astonished how easy it is working with kataifi! BAM – the Easter nests were done. They can be filled with savory filling and topped with cherry tomatoes for eggs, but you know me. Cheesecake is on my mind 24/7. My most popular one, tiramisu cheesecake, is quite labor intensive. So, I simplified the recipe with a no-bake version but apparently, I’m not the only one that likes challenges. The original one still takes the lead. OK, then.
However, I do prefer no-bake version. If you like cheesecakes too, follow along. Another interesting recipe is coming up next week. Since kataifi nests were done so quickly, I had more fun with the leftover dough threads and made this bunny head. Isn’t it cute?
My daughter thinks its mouth looks creepy. After I politely informed her that the bunny is smiling and thus can’t be creepy, she sent me this GIF. OK, she wins. Maybe my bunny’s smile is a little creepy. LOL.
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No-Bake Cheesecake in Kataifi Nests Recipe
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INGREDIENTS:
Makes 24
- ½ package (8oz.) kataifi (shredded fillo dough), thawed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 package (8oz.) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar or 2 tablespoons honey
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
- Robin’s eggs candy, Jelly Belly’s or M&M’s
~ Free Tip ~
Add 2 teaspoons granulated sugar and a pinch of cinnamon to kataifi in step 4, if desired.
DIRECTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Lightly grease two standard 12-cup muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray.
- Prepare the nests by untangling kataifi in a large bowl (it doesn’t have to be perfect, just no clumps). Drizzle the melted butter over the kataifi and toss to coat completely.
- Pinch handfuls of the kataifi and distribute evenly over two muffin tins. Gently press them down into muffin wells to form a nest.
- Bake the nests for 8-10 minutes (keep your eye on them so they don’t get too dark). Cool in muffin tin on a wire rack.
- Meanwhile, with an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth. Add sugar or honey, heavy cream, lemon juice, and vanilla. Mix well.
- In a small bowl, pour hot water over gelatin. Stir until gelatin is completely dissolved. Microwave for 10-15 seconds, if necessary. Do not boil.
- Gradually beat in gelatin mixture into the cream cheese mixture.
- Fill nests with the cheesecake filling (about 1 tablespoon per nest).
- Refrigerate until set, for about an hour and then carefully remove nests to platter with an offset spatula or spoon.
- Garnish with robin’s eggs candy before serving.

No-bake cheesecake in kataifi nests with robin's "eggs" is a fun and delightful Easter treat.
- ½ package 8oz. kataifi (shredded fillo dough), thawed
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 package 8oz. cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar or 2 tablespoons honey
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
- Robin's eggs candy Jelly Belly's or M&M's
-
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
-
Lightly grease two standard 12-cup muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray.
-
Prepare the nests by untangling kataifi in a large bowl (it doesn't have to be perfect, just no clumps). Drizzle the melted butter over the kataifi and toss to coat completely.
-
Pinch handfuls of the kataifi and distribute evenly over two muffin tins. Gently press them down into muffin wells to form a nest.
-
Bake the nests for 8-10 minutes (keep your eye on them so they don't get too dark). Cool in muffin tin on a wire rack.
-
Meanwhile, with an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth. Add sugar or honey, heavy cream, lemon juice, and vanilla. Mix well.
-
In a small bowl, pour hot water over gelatin. Stir until gelatin is completely dissolved. Microwave for 10-15 seconds, if necessary. Do not boil.
-
Gradually beat in gelatin mixture into the cream cheese mixture.
-
Fill nests with the cheesecake filling (about 1 tablespoon per nest).
-
10. Refrigerate until set, for about an hour and then carefully remove nests to platter with an offset spatula or spoon.
-
11. Garnish with robin's eggs candy before serving.
~ Free Tip ~
Add 2 teaspoons granulated sugar and a pinch of cinnamon to kataifi in step 4, if desired.
Pin it now: No-Bake Cheesecake in Kataifi Nests
Featured on: Tabler Party of Two, Keeping it Simple, A Pinch of Joy, Jenerally Informed, From Play Dates to Parties, Lori’s Culinary Creations, Sew Historically, Fluster Buster, Apron Strings & Other Things, Sugar Spice and Family Life, Shabby Art Boutique, The Cottage Market, Across the Boulevard, and Happily Homegrown.
Jas
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Kerryanne
March 29, 2018 at 10:38 pmOh my, I’ve never used kataifi. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen it here in Australia, but I’m on a mission to find it now. These nests look so lovely.
Thank you for sharing this recipe at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week at Shabby Art Boutique. I’m delighted to be featuring it at tonight’s party and pinning too.
Happy Easter!
Jas
March 30, 2018 at 11:20 pmAppreciate it very much, Kerryanne! I know of Australian fillo brand, so maybe you can order from them as I’m not sure if our ship outside the US. Good luck and happy Easter!
Tiffiney | Welcome Home Ministry
March 29, 2018 at 6:12 pmThis looks festive and delish! Thanks for sharing over at Heart and Home. I’ll be trying it for Easter. Blessings!
Tiffiney | Welcome Home Ministry recently posted…Take Courage Girlfriend! You Can Do This
Jas
March 30, 2018 at 11:16 pmThank you, Tiffiney! It’s a must-have dessert for my grandkids 🙂 Happy Easter!
Mary
March 29, 2018 at 1:29 amJas would you believe I have never used Kataifi. Shame on me! But after looking at this recipe I may be tempted to give it a try. It actually looks easy!
Jas
March 29, 2018 at 9:35 amLol, Mary! Your Greek citizenship might be revoked, ha! It really is easy. I’m mad I waited this long to try it. 🙂
Petra
March 25, 2018 at 7:57 pmI love the idea of using kataifi dough for a cheesecake, it looks delicious 🙂 Thank you for sharing at Fiesta Friday 🙂
Petra recently posted…Hibiscus and Romano pepper Harissa
Jas
March 26, 2018 at 9:40 pmThank you, Petra!
Kate - gluten free alchemist
March 25, 2018 at 12:16 pmI love this idea. The nests are so ‘nest-like’! Mind you, I’m with your daughter….. the bunny mouth is pretty creepy!!!! x
Kate – gluten free alchemist recently posted…Vegan Mint-Chocolate Ice Cream Bites (free from gluten, dairy, nuts)
Jas
March 26, 2018 at 9:32 pmLOL, you’re right. I’ll practice some more so I don’t scare my grandkids, ha!
Jen
March 25, 2018 at 10:57 amYum! Pinned this one for sure 🙂 I have never heard of katafi before!! #happynowlinkup
Jen recently posted…One Million Sample Giveaway! OREO Mint Chocolate Candy Bars
Jas
March 26, 2018 at 9:30 pmWe learn something every day, don’t we? 🙂 Thanks for stopping in. X
Chas
March 24, 2018 at 7:43 pmSo cute and perfect for spring! Great job and thanks for sharing on To Grandma’s House We Go!
Jas
March 25, 2018 at 9:10 amThanks, Chas! Glad you like them.
Zeba Durrani
March 24, 2018 at 5:14 pmWhat a great way to use Kataifi…these looks absolutely amazing. Thanks for sharing on Fiesta Friday!
Jas
March 25, 2018 at 9:09 amThanks so much for your kind comment!
handmade by amalia
March 24, 2018 at 1:04 pmWhat a beautiful treat. And it looks delicious.
Amalia
xo
handmade by amalia recently posted…Brown and Broken No More
Jas
March 25, 2018 at 9:09 amThank you, Amalia! 🙂
Honest Mum
March 24, 2018 at 10:50 amHow wonderful are these. Being originally Greek, I know and love Kataifi. Thanks for linking up x
Honest Mum recently posted…Wonderful Women Interview with Founder of Mummy Buddy, Janey Carey
Jas
March 25, 2018 at 9:08 amThank you, my dear! Means a lot to get a confirmation from a Greek. XO
Miz Helen
March 24, 2018 at 10:23 amThese little nests are just adorable, a very special treat! Hope you are having a great weekend and thanks so much for sharing your great post with us at Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
Jas
March 25, 2018 at 9:07 amThank you, Miz Helen!
Jas
March 25, 2018 at 9:13 amHappy you like them, Miz Helen! Thanks for stopping in.
Michelle Leslie
March 24, 2018 at 1:37 amLOL Jas, that poor bunny. I thought he was cute and then saw the gif your daughter sent and it was, uummmm okay. Some things just can’t be unseen 😀 On the other hand the kataifi cheesecake nests are adorable. What a beautiful way to serve up Easter yumminess
Michelle Leslie recently posted…99th Sweet Inspiration Link Party – Come Join Us!!!
Jas
March 25, 2018 at 9:07 amLOL, he was delicious nevertheless. But I need to perfect my bunny making skills, ha!
Jamie
March 23, 2018 at 5:24 pmThese look amazing!! Pinning to try them for my family soon. 🙂
Jamie recently posted…Sweet Rainbow Treats for St. Patrick’s Day or Easter #TigerStrypesBlog
Jas
March 23, 2018 at 11:18 pmThank you, Jamie!
Lathiya
March 23, 2018 at 3:34 pmThose nests looks so cute..awesome idea
Jas
March 23, 2018 at 10:11 pmThanks a lot!
Jann Olson
March 22, 2018 at 8:43 pmSo fun! I had not heard of Kataifi, but I love filo dough! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Jas
March 23, 2018 at 9:47 pmYou’d love it, Jann! 😀
Linda S
March 22, 2018 at 11:30 amThese perfect little nests look beautiful AND delicious! Can’t wait to try this with my girls.
Linda S recently posted…Encouraging Hearts & Home Blog Hop 3.22.18
Jas
March 22, 2018 at 2:49 pmThey are super fun to make and fun for kids to help too 🙂 Thank you, Linda!
Ann
March 21, 2018 at 1:06 pmJust darling! Perfect for an Easter celebration!
Jas
March 21, 2018 at 10:16 pmThanks so much, Ann!
Shannon
March 21, 2018 at 4:36 amHi from over at Oh Heartsie Girl! This is such a cute idea!!! I’m going to share it with my girls! I know my grandsons will love it! Have a great week!
Shannon recently posted…Small Space Gardening Ideas
Jas
March 21, 2018 at 10:13 pmMuch appreciated, Shannon! Kids do adore these. Thanks for stopping in! 😀
Valaney
March 20, 2018 at 8:50 pmThese look SO yummy! I’ll definitely have to try them for Easter! I found you through the Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party. It would mean a lot if you could check out my blog!
Jas
March 21, 2018 at 10:11 pmThanks, Valeney!
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
March 20, 2018 at 1:46 amThese look so adorable, Jas!! I love that they are no-bake, too! Delicious!! 😀 Thanks for sharing!
Jas
March 21, 2018 at 9:59 pmThanks, Jhuls! Glad you like them 😀
Rhiana L Jones
March 19, 2018 at 5:39 pmAck! Why the scarey clown!
Rhiana L Jones recently posted…Involuntarily Unemployed: Curse or Blessing?
Jas
March 19, 2018 at 10:58 pmLOL, because my daughter wanted to make a point. It’s all explained in the post. 😉
Mother of 3
March 19, 2018 at 4:56 pmI have never heard of Kataifi but you can bet I’ll be looking around the grocery store for them now. Those look amazing and I LOVE cheesecake. Pinned.
Jas
March 19, 2018 at 10:50 pmThanks, Joanne! Much appreciated.