Description

These festive Christmas Appetizer Puffs are quick and easy bite-sized treats made with flaky puff pastry and topped with savory seasonings. Perfect for holiday gatherings, they combine buttery, golden pastry with a flavorful mix of Parmesan, garlic, and herbs. Ready in under 20 minutes, these delightful puffs pair wonderfully with hummus and fresh vegetables for a vibrant appetizer option.

Ingredients

Scale

Pastry

1 sheet frozen puff pastry (thawed, half of a 17.3 ounce package)

Toppings

2 tablespoons olive oil
Grated Parmesan cheese, to taste
Sesame seeds, to taste
Poppy seeds, to taste
Italian seasoning, to taste
Minced garlic, to taste

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 Celsius) to prepare for baking the puffs to a perfect golden color.
Roll the Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet to approximately a 13-inch square to ensure even thickness for the cutouts.
Cut Shapes: Using cookie cutters, cut the pastry into festive shapes such as stars, trees, and bells. Simple shapes work best for even baking and presentation.
Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the cut shapes on an ungreased cookie sheet, spacing them slightly to allow puffing during baking.
Brush with Olive Oil: Lightly brush the tops of the pastry shapes with olive oil to help the toppings adhere and to promote browning.
Add Toppings: Sprinkle your choice of grated Parmesan cheese, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic over the brushed pastry shapes.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 6-8 minutes or until the puffs are golden brown and beautifully puffed.
Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm. These appetizer puffs are excellent when paired with hummus and fresh vegetables for a festive snack.

Notes

Make sure the puff pastry is fully thawed before rolling to prevent cracking.
Feel free to customize toppings according to your preference; other herbs or seeds can be used.
Serve immediately for the best texture, as puff pastry can become soggy if left out too long.
You can prepare the cut shapes ahead of time and refrigerate before baking.
Use ungreased baking sheets to allow the pastry to puff properly.