One of the things I’m always the most excited about making around the Holidays is appetizers. They are not just meal starters or for whetting your appetite.
Cozy little bites or filling finger foods are the perfect way to start your holiday right.
Especially if you need to satisfy a crowd and want to bring a few festive plates to the table to keep everyone happy and snackin’.
Well, that’s where these puff pastry appetizers come in. Store-bought puff pastry can be as buttery, light, and airy as homemade, with the same perfect crunchy texture. But you’ll get beautiful and satisfying appetizers to the table in a timely fashion.
What’s more, its lovely neutral bite easily blends well with both savory and sweet, making it so much easier to satisfy everyone’s favorite flavors during the Holidays.
So, whether you’re planning a lovely Christmas dinner, a holiday cocktail party, or simply looking for the ideal appetizers for New Year’s Eve, I’ve got you covered with these no-fuss baked goods that turn into delightful snacks and hors d’oeuvres that will wow your guests.
What Is Puff Pastry And Where Can You Find It?
This tasty baking staple contains alternating layers of butter and dough.
That’s right. Puff pastry is just butter, flour, water, and salt. But something magical happens when you place it in the oven. The butter melts, the liquid evaporates, and all these layers puff into a crispy bite with that beautiful golden color.
Now, making puff pastry from scratch is no small feat, but I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to. You can find a great quality puff pastry in the frozen aisle section in most grocery stores. Keep it in the freezer, then thaw the dough overnight in the fridge to use it the next day.
Let’s make some puff pastry appetizers.
1. Turkey Sausage Rolls
These beautiful and delicious appetizers might look like you’ve spent the whole day making them in the kitchen, but you only need 15 minutes to prepare them. Aromatic herbs like thyme, sage, and the right amount of seasoning add tons of flavors to lean ground turkey, keeping these delicious bites light and healthy. Just be prepared to make enough because they tend to disappear quickly and are a true crowd-pleaser.
2. Ham And Cheese Puff Pastry
Here’s another appetizer made with puff pastry that’s so simple to make, yet every bite is so rewarding. Gruyere cheese and ham are a classic flavor combination, but this time, they’re wrapped in puff pastry. A creamy egg wash applied at the end creates a crispy and beautifully golden brown color that makes these appetizers delicious and inviting.
Crunchy and savory bagel seasoning adds a lovely texture to these cutely shaped bites, and aromatic thyme adds that finishing touch. They are so easy to make yet always a party favorite.
3. Mini Fig & Brie Puff Pastry Bites
These sweet and savory bites come in cute little cupcake forms and are the easiest holiday puff pastry appetizers you’ll ever make.
Press squared puff pastry sheets in a 12-cup tin muffin pan. Before you pop them into the oven, fill them with brie cubes and a dollop of fig jam. Then, when golden brown and flaky, garnish them with fresh rosemary, a drizzle of honey, and sea salt! All those different creamy flavors come together in one flaky, buttery bite wrapped in a festive look. What’s not to love about that?
4. Mushroom Puff Pastry Appetizers
If you love a cheesy chicken and mushroom filling, these puff pastry shells are for you. It’s a savory delight with a sautéed mixture of mushrooms, shredded chicken, mozzarella cheese, mayo, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper.
Everything is ready in 45 minutes, from prep to baking, and you get 12 irresistible appetizers. But you can easily make the filling in advance and store it in the fridge until ready to fill and bake the shells. The only problem is that you won’t want to eat just one.
5. Pesto Puff Pastry Wreath
You won’t believe this pesto puff pastry wreath has only three ingredients. And it’s incredibly fun to make with a pizza wheel or knife, quick cuts, and some twisting. It’s flaky puff pastry with a pesto filling and garnished with parmesan cheese to create a “snow-like” effect.
And it’s such a fun finger food. Tear off a piece and dip it into your favorite marinara sauce. Everyone loves that.
You can also easily turn this into a dessert or sweet snack by replacing the pesto with intriguing jellies or jams. It shows you how incredibly versatile this appetizer is. This recipe is a keeper for holidays and family-fun get-togethers.
6. Spinach Puff Pastry Christmas Tree
Spinach has never tasted so good as when wrapped in buttery puff pastry. It’s deliciously cheesy with shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, and a seasoned cream cheese mixture that quickly comes together. Red pepper flakes add that spicy twist and make every bite burst with flavor.
It’s so easy and fun to make. Serve with your favorite dip, like a pizza or marinara sauce.
This definitely will be the center of attention at your holiday table.
7. Pear, Walnut & Cheddar Puff Pastry Tart
This beautiful puff pastry tart gets topped with juicy pears and spicy cheddar cheese, creating a beautiful dance of sweet and savory with a touch of heat. A drizzle of sweet honey, toasted walnuts, and flaky sea salt gives it that “Tah-Dah’ finish. It’s a beautiful and celebratory centerpiece that your guests will devour.
It’s such a versatile recipe, too. You simply play with the flavors and choose apples instead of peers, a different type of hearty cheese, or pistachios and pecans instead of walnuts.
Serve warm or at room temperature, and see everyone’s face lighten up with this fantastic puff pastry starter.
I hope these last-minute appetizer ideas make your holiday entertaining even more special and memorable.
Love puff pastry appetizers as much as I do, then don’t forget to also check out my 24 perfect puff pastry appetizers that you can make for any occasion.
