This Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry recipe features savory ham and cheese encased in flaky, buttery layers of puff pastry! Baked to golden perfection, these pastries make for a delicious appetizer, breakfast or snack. Perfect for using up leftover Holiday ham!
Looking for more recipes to make with puff pastry? Then give my Pesto Parmesan Cheese Straws a try!
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The Best Ham & Cheese Puff PastrY Recipe
This easy ham and cheese puff pastry recipe is super easy and so satisfying! They look super impressive but are actually so easy to make.
Using just store-bought puff pastry sheets and a homemade cheese sauce with ham and spinach added in, you will have these ham and cheese puffs ready in no time, perfect for breakfast or an appetizer!
These are great to make if you have any leftover ham on hand, too. You can transform your leftovers into a delicious brunch option that the whole family will absolutely love!
Ingredients Needed
- Puff Pastry: For ease, you can use frozen sheets of store-bought puff pastry!
- Butter & Flour: Melted butter and flour are combined in a saucepan to create a roux. This will thicken up the cheese sauce so that it is thick enough to go into the middle of the puff pastries!
- Milk: You can add whatever milk you have on hand, but 2% or whole milk would be best!
- Ham: Use simple deli ham or any leftover ham you might have on hand. Thick cut ham offers the best taste and texture.
- Spinach: For a bit of added green and texture!
- Spices: To add extra flavor to the cheese sauce, season it with mustard powder, onion powder, and garlic powder!
- Cheddar Cheese & Swiss Cheese: I love the combination of shredded cheddar cheese and Swiss cheese here, but you can use your favorite cheese. Make sure it is freshly shredded from a block, so that it melts seamlessly into the sauce!
- Salt & Pepper: To taste.
How to Make This Recipe
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Make a Roux: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add in flour and whisk for a minute or so. This is called a roux, which helps to thicken the milk into a sauce. Slowly add in the milk.
- Add Spices: Stir in the spices and continue to whisk 3-4 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese.
- Add Ham & Spinach: Once the cheese is melted, add in the spinach and ham, stirring until the spinach is wilted. Taste the cheese sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prep Puff Pastry: Transfer the puff pastry to the prepared baking sheet and cut into 6 squares. Repeat with the other sheet of puff pastry.
- Assemble: Divide the mixture between the puff pastry squares. I did about 1/4 cup or so in each. Fold up each edge of the pastry to cover most of the filling.
- Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the puff pastry looks golden brown. Allow it to cool for a couple minutes on the baking sheet then serve and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- Use leftover ham! If you have any leftover holiday ham, this would be the perfect time to use it. Just chop it up and add it to the cheese sauce!
- You can switch it up and use other meat like turkey or bacon! Or make vegetarian puff pastry by completely omitting the meat.
- Serve your ham and cheese puff pastry with some of your favorite Dijon mustard for dipping!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make ham and cheese puffs ahead of time?
Definitely! You can make the filling and prep and assemble the puff pastries up to 24 hours ahead of time before baking. Simply covered the assembled puff pastries on the baking sheet with plastic wrap and place in the fridge until you are ready to bake! Be sure to add just a few minutes to the baking time since they will be going in cold.
What should I serve with ham and cheese puff pastry?
These make an excellent snack, appetizer or breakfast all on their own! If you are serving as an appetizer, feel free to accompany them with a few others like Instant Pot deviled eggs and BLT dip! For breakfast, serve them with a fried egg and strawberry banana smoothie!
How should I store leftover ham and cheese puff pastry?
These ham and cheese puff pastries are best eaten on the day they are made! However, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer, oven or toaster oven or else they will be soft after reheating.
More Appetizer Recipes to Try
- Mini Quiche Recipe
- Italian Pinwheels
- Mini Cheese Balls
- Ham and Cheese Baked Pinwheels
- Tomato Ricotta Tart
- Crab Cakes
Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups ham, diced
- 1 cups spinach
- 1/2 tsp mustard powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add in flour and whisk for a minute or so then slowly add in the milk.
- Stir in the spices and continue to whisk for 3-4 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken.Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese.
- Once the cheese is melted add in the spinach and ham stirring until the spinach is wilted. Taste the cheese sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Transfer the puff pastry to the prepared lined baking sheet and cut into 6 squares. Repeat with the other sheet of puff pastry.
- Divide the mixture between the puff pastry squares. I did about 1/4 cup or so in each.Fold up each edge of the pastry to cover most of the filling.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until the puff pastry looks golden brown.Allow it to cool for a couple minutes on the baking sheet then serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
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