Here’s a simple recipe for puff pastry bites that you can customize with your favorite fillings:
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet of puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg (beaten for egg wash)
- Fillings of your choice (e.g., cheese, ham, spinach, mushrooms, jam, chocolate, etc.)
- Optional: sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or herbs for topping
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Puff Pastry:
- Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the puff pastry sheet to smooth out the creases and make it slightly thinner.
- Cut the puff pastry into small squares or rectangles, depending on the size of the bites you want.
- Add Fillings:
- Place a small amount of your chosen filling in the center of each square. Be careful not to overfill them.
- If you’re making sweet bites, you could add a dollop of jam or a piece of chocolate. For savory bites, try a mix of cheese and ham or sautéed spinach and mushrooms.
- Seal the Bites:
- Fold the puff pastry over the filling to form a triangle, rectangle, or square, depending on the shape you cut. Press the edges together with a fork to seal them.
- Apply Egg Wash:
- Brush the tops of the puff pastry bites with the beaten egg. This will give them a nice golden color as they bake.
- Optionally, sprinkle with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or herbs for extra flavor and decoration.
- Bake:
- Place the bites on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the puff pastry is golden brown and puffed up.
- Serve:
- Allow the bites to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm or at room temperature.
Variations:
- Savory: Try fillings like goat cheese and caramelized onions, feta and spinach, or pesto with mozzarella.
- Sweet: Fill with Nutella and banana slices, cream cheese and strawberries, or apple slices with cinnamon sugar.
These puff pastry bites are perfect for appetizers, snacks, or even desserts. Enjoy experimenting with different flavors!