Description
These Cheesy Pesto Puffs are delightful bite-sized pastries featuring flaky puff pastry filled with sharp cheddar cheese and aromatic pesto. Perfect as an appetizer or snack, they bake up golden and crispy in under 20 minutes, delivering a rich, savory flavor that’s sure to please any crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry
- 1 (17.3-oz) package puff pastry sheets, thawed
Filling
- 6 Tbsp prepared pesto
- 9 sharp cheddar cheese sticks, cut in half
Egg Wash
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 Tbsp water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Heat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the puffs bake evenly and don’t stick.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Lightly sprinkle flour on your work surface to prevent sticking. Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet carefully on the surface. Cut each pastry sheet into 9 equal squares for uniformity.
- Add Pesto and Cheese: Spread about 1 teaspoon of prepared pesto evenly on top of each pastry square. Next, place half of a sharp cheddar cheese stick diagonally on top of the pesto.
- Shape Pastries: Fold two opposite corners of each pastry square over the cheese stick to enclose the filling. Press the edges firmly to seal each puff and place them on the prepared baking sheets with some space between them.
- Apply Egg Wash: In a small bowl, combine the beaten egg and water to prepare an egg wash. Brush each pastry puff generously with the egg wash to achieve a glossy, golden finish when baked.
- Bake: Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake the puffs for 15 to 18 minutes, or until they puff up nicely and turn a golden brown color.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Serve the Cheesy Pesto Puffs warm or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Make sure the puff pastry is fully thawed to ensure easy handling and even baking.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese for a flavorful, melty filling, but feel free to experiment with other types of cheese.
- For a vegetarian version, ensure the pesto does not contain animal-derived cheeses or replace it with a vegan pesto.
- These puffs can be made ahead and frozen before baking; bake from frozen adding a few extra minutes to cook time.
- Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter for clean, even cuts on the pastry sheet.
