Puff Pastry Appetizer
These easy puff pastry appetizers are golden, flaky, buttery, and filled with savory cheese and herbs. They come together quickly using store-bought puff pastry, making them perfect for parties, holidays, game days, brunches, or last-minute entertaining.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: 2 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
Directions
1. Thaw the Puff Pastry
Remove the puff pastry from the freezer and let it thaw according to the package directions.
Keep it cool rather than allowing it to become warm and sticky. Cold puff pastry produces the best flaky layers.
2. Prepare the Filling
In a medium bowl, combine the mozzarella, cheddar, cream cheese, parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Mix until everything is evenly combined.
If using green onions, stir them in as well.
3. Roll Out the Pastry
Lightly flour your work surface.
Gently unfold the puff pastry and roll it out just enough to smooth the creases.
Don’t roll it too thin.
4. Add the Filling
Spread the cheese mixture evenly over the pastry, leaving approximately ½ inch around the edges.
Don’t add too much filling, or it may spill out during baking.
5. Roll the Pastry
Starting from one long side, carefully roll the pastry into a tight log.
Use gentle pressure so the filling stays inside.
Place the roll seam-side down.
6. Chill the Roll
Place the pastry roll in the refrigerator for approximately 15–20 minutes.
This firms up the butter in the pastry and makes it much easier to slice.
7. Slice
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Using a sharp knife, slice the pastry roll into rounds approximately ½–¾ inch thick.
Arrange them on the baking sheet, leaving space between each piece.
8. Add the Egg Wash
Whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon of water.
Lightly brush the tops and exposed pastry edges with the egg wash.
Sprinkle Parmesan over the top.
9. Bake
Bake for approximately 15–20 minutes, or until the appetizers are puffed and beautifully golden brown.
If the centers need additional cooking, bake for another 2–3 minutes.
10. Cool and Serve
Allow the puff pastry appetizers to cool for approximately 5 minutes before serving.
They’re delicious while warm and crisp.
Tips for Perfect Puff Pastry Appetizers
Keep the pastry cold: Warm puff pastry becomes difficult to handle and may not puff properly.
Don’t overfill: A moderate amount of filling gives you better-looking spirals and helps prevent leakage.
Use a sharp knife: A dull knife can flatten the pastry roll.
Leave space between pieces: Puff pastry expands significantly while baking.
Bake immediately after slicing: Once prepared, get the appetizers into the hot oven while the pastry is still cold.
Delicious Variations
Spinach and Cheese
Add finely chopped, well-drained cooked spinach to the filling.
Ham and Cheese
Add finely diced cooked ham for a classic savory combination.
Pepperoni Pizza
Replace the herbs with chopped pepperoni and add mozzarella, Parmesan, and a little pizza seasoning.
Garlic Butter
Brush the pastry with melted garlic butter before adding the cheese filling.
Feta and Herb
Use crumbled feta with mozzarella, parsley, and a little oregano.
Everything Bagel
Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning over the egg wash before baking.
Make-Ahead Option
Prepare the rolled pastry up to 1 day ahead, wrap it tightly, and refrigerate.
When you’re ready to serve, slice, brush with egg wash, and bake as directed.
You can also freeze the unbaked sliced appetizers. Arrange them on a tray and freeze until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container.
Bake directly from frozen, adding several minutes to the baking time.
Serving Ideas
Serve these flaky appetizers with:
- Marinara sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Garlic butter
- Honey mustard
- Creamy herb dip
- Spicy tomato sauce
These golden puff pastry appetizers are crisp on the outside, cheesy and savory inside, and simple enough to make whenever you need an impressive bite-sized snack.