These flaky and savory puff pastry pockets are filled with gooey cheese and salty ham, making them perfect for a quick snack, appetizer, or light meal. They’re easy to customize with your favorite cheeses and fillings.
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet (about 14 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 4 ounces cooked ham, diced (or thinly sliced and then chopped)
- 4 ounces cheese, shredded (such as cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, or a blend)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, or poppy seeds (optional, for topping)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Puff Pastry:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Lightly flour a clean surface.
- Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet and gently roll it out slightly to smooth any creases and make it a little thinner.
- Cut the puff pastry sheet into equal squares. The size is up to you, but about 3-4 inch squares work well.
- Assemble the Pockets:
- In a small bowl, combine the diced ham and shredded cheese. If desired, mix in the Dijon mustard.
- Place a spoonful of the ham and cheese mixture in the center of each puff pastry square.
- Fold the squares diagonally to form triangles, or fold them over to form rectangles.
- Press the edges firmly to seal, using a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative touch and to ensure they are well sealed.
- Egg Wash and Topping:
- In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg.
- Brush the top of each puff pastry pocket with the beaten egg wash.
- If desired, sprinkle the tops with everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, or poppy seeds.
- Bake:
- Place the puff pastry pockets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
- Let them cool slightly before serving.
Tips and Variations:
- Cheese Variations: Experiment with different cheeses like Gruyère, pepper jack, or brie.
- Filling Variations: add cooked onion, bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms to the filling.
- Herb Infusion: sprinkle dried herbs like thyme or oregano into the cheese and ham mixture.
- Sweet and Savory: Add a thin layer of fruit preserve, like apricot or fig jam, along with the ham and cheese.
- Make-Ahead: Assemble the pockets and refrigerate them before baking. Add the egg wash and toppings just before baking.
- Air Fryer: These can also be cooked in an air fryer. Follow your air fryers instructions, but generally 375F for 10-12 minutes is a good start.
Enjoy your delicious Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pockets!