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Crispy Prosciutto Cups and Hami Melon: The Perfect Portion-Controlled Appetizer for Two
When it comes to healthyish eating, I’ve learned that the secret isn’t always about cutting out everything delicious – it’s about smart portion control. These crispy prosciutto cups filled with sweet hami melon are exactly what I mean. They look elegant enough for date night, taste absolutely divine, and naturally limit your portions since each crispy prosciutto cup is perfectly pre-portioned.
I discovered this recipe during one of those evenings when my roomie and I wanted something special but didn’t want to go overboard. The combination of salty, crispy prosciutto with the honeyed sweetness of hami melon creates the most incredible flavor balance. Plus, learning how to make crispy prosciutto has been a total game-changer in my kitchen! I’ll use crispy Prosciutto on salads, on top of soup, and I love it on my Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta with Peas & Prosciutto!
And don’t get me started on hami melon. Yes, it looks like canteloupe and is similar in flavor, but they are just a little firmer and a little juicier. I get them at a local Asian market and love them in my hami melon and kiwi smoothie bowls too. The perfect afternoon treat in the summer.
Ingredients
Prosciutto – This Italian dry-cured ham is the star of our crispy prosciutto cups. When cooked, it becomes beautifully crispy while maintaining its rich, salty flavor. You can absolutely eat prosciutto raw (in fact, that’s how it’s traditionally served), but cooking prosciutto transforms it into these gorgeous, edible cups.
Hami Melon – Also known as hami gold melon or golden hami melon, this Chinese hami melon variety offers incredible sweetness with a slightly firmer texture than cantaloupe. Hami melon benefits include being packed with vitamins A and C, plus it’s naturally portion-friendly when cubed.
Fresh Basil – The aromatic herb that ties everything together with its peppery, slightly sweet notes that complement both the prosciutto and melon beautifully.
Honey – A drizzle of honey enhances the natural sweetness of the hami melon and adds a glossy finish to our appetizer.
Ingredient Substitutions
Other Melons: If you can’t find hami melon, cantaloupe, honeydew, or Crenshaw melon work wonderfully. Different melons will give you varying levels of sweetness and texture – cantaloupe being softer and sweeter, while honeydew offers a more subtle flavor.
Other Herbs: Fresh mint creates a refreshing twist, while microgreens add a peppery bite. Thinly sliced chives provide a mild onion flavor that’s surprisingly delicious with melon.
Honey Substitutions: Maple syrup, agave nectar, or even a balsamic glaze can replace honey. For a more sophisticated flavor, try truffle honey if you can find it!
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
The beauty of this appetizer is that you can prepare components in advance. The crispy prosciutto cups can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature – they’ll stay perfectly crispy. Cut your hami melon up to 1 day in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator.
However, I recommend assembling these crispy prosciutto appetizers no more than 30 minutes before serving to maintain the crispiness of the cups and prevent the melon from releasing too much juice.
FAQ About Prosciutto and Hami Melons
How to Make Crispy Prosciutto Cups
The key to perfect crispy prosciutto cups is using the right technique. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. and use a mini muffin tin. Gently press each slice of prosciutto into a muffin cup, creating a bowl shape. The prosciutto should naturally form into the cup without tearing. I usually get 2-3 mini cups per slice of Prosciutto.
Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are golden and crispy. The best prosciutto for this technique is medium-thickness slices – too thin and they’ll break, too thick and they won’t crisp properly. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before carefully removing.
Pro Tip:
I’ve used packaged Prosciutto with great success but if it is very thin, simply double up and put two pieces of the meat in each muffin tin. This will give the cup a little more support and comes out great every time.
This method for how to make prosciutto crispy works every time and creates the most elegant appetizers using prosciutto that I’ve ever made! The rest is easy: fill with melon, garnish with basil and drizzle with honey. Enjoy.
Let’s Connect!
I’d love to hear how your crispy prosciutto and hami melon cups turned out! Please leave a comment and rating below – your feedback helps me create better recipes for all of us focused on healthyish eating with proper portions.
If you enjoyed this crispy prosciutto appetizer, you’ll definitely want to try these other easy appetizer recipes that are perfect for two:
- Cast Iron Scallops
- Healthier Black Bean Nachos
- Boursin Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
- Honey, Peach, Prosciutto & Mozzarella Skewers
Each of these recipes follows the same philosophy – delicious flavors with built-in portion control that makes healthy eating feel indulgent rather than restrictive.
Happy cooking, and remember – it’s all about enjoying great food in just the right amounts!
Crispy Prosciutto Cups with Hami Melon
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 Slices Prosciutto
- 2 Tbsp. Hami Melon, finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp. Fresh basil, chopped or torn
- 1 Tbsp. Honey
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Cut each slice of Prosciutto into three pieces. Place each piece into the cavity of a mini muffin tin. You’ll have six Prosciutto cups.
- Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes until crispy.
- Meanwhile, finely dice your melon and slice, chop or tear your basil leaves. They serve as a fragrant and herbaceous garnish.
- When the cups are done, place on a platter and fill with the chopped melon. Sprinkle with the basil and drizzle with the honey. You’ll have six little cups. I serve three per person and this recipe can easily be doubled or tripled. These are little one bite morsels of yummy! Enjoy.
