If you are on the search for savory appetizers to serve at your next holiday party, then look no further than these puff pastry appetizers, which have cream cheese fillings mixed with tuna and smoked salmon. There are instructions to make two different puff pastry appetizers with two different fillings and two different methods of assembly.
To make the puff pastry ribbons with a tuna filling, you combine cream cheese with tuna and basil until combined. Then, the filling gets spread on top of a sheet of puff pastry before being topped with another sheet of puff pastry. After that, they get cut into ribbons and baked in the oven. Meanwhile, for the smoked salmon version, cream cheese is blended with smoked salmon, lemon zest, salt, and pepper before being dolloped onto triangles of dough, rolled up like croissants and baked in the oven. Whether your guests enjoy the taste of tuna or the smoky taste of smoked salmon, these puff pastry appetizers are the perfect finger food to serve for a dinner party.
What are Puff Pastry Appetizers?
Puff pastry appetizers are any appetizer that uses puff pastry, a type of buttery laminated dough that puffs up during baking. Puff pastry appetizers can have several different types of fillings involving cheese, meat, vegetables, and more.
These particular appetizers involve two different cream cheese fillings; one with tuna and basil, and the other with smoked salmon and lemon zest. They are also shaped a little differently with the tuna version being cut into rectangles to mimic ribbons and the salmon version being assembled as croissants. The variety of shapes and fillings will be sure to keep your guests intrigued as they are enjoying wine or festive cocktails.
Pro Tips
- Keep the puff pastry cold in the fridge until you are ready to assemble and bake the pastries. Keeping the pastry cold will ensure that the butter stays solid, which is essential to it puffing up in the oven.
- Allow the cream cheese to soften at room temperature before you being making the appetizers.
- For precise sizing, use a measuring tape to measure the puff pastry portions.
- Don’t underbake the appetizers. You will know they are ready when they are puffed and golden on their tops and bottoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Puff Pastry Appetizers Be Made in Advance?
Absolutely! Once the puff pastry appetizers are baked, simply freeze them on a baking sheet in a single layer until they are solid. Then, they can be placed in a freezer bag for longer storage. When you are ready to use them, simply bake them in the oven from frozen until they are re-crisped and piping hot in their centres.
What is the Secret to Good Puff Pastry?
The secret to having good results with puff pastry is to make sure it stays cold until you bake with it. The dough is folded with layers of butter, which should stay solid until it hits the heat of the oven. The process of melting the cold butter in the oven creates pockets of air which results in the pastry having a flaky texture.
Is it better to Brush Puff Pastry With Milk or Egg?
This particular recipe doesn’t use milk or egg wash but egg is generally preferred as it give puff pastry a nice sheen while also helping it become extra golden brown. If you would like your puff pastry appetizers to get even more color, simply mix a beaten egg with a tablespoon of water, and brush it on top of the assembled pastries before you pop them in the oven.
How to Store Puff Pastry Appetizers
Leftover puff pastry appetizers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days, and then warmed up in the oven when you plan to serve them again. Alternatively, you could put them in the freezer where they will keep for up to 3 months.
Ingredients
How to Make 2-Way Puff Pastry Appetizers
For the tuna ribbons, in a bowl, mix the cream cheese with the tuna and basil until combined.
For the tuna ribbons, in a bowl, mix the cream cheese with the tuna and basil until combined.
Place a puff pastry sheet on a surface and spread it with the cream cheese mixture.
Place a puff pastry sheet on a surface and spread it with the cream cheese mixture.
For the smoked salmon croissants, in a bowl, mix the cream cheese with the smoked salmon, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
Place the other sheet of puff pastry on top.
Cut a hole in the pointy end of each triangle and put the end through the hole.
Cut it into ribbons and give them a twist. Place the ribbons on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake them in a 347 F (175 C) oven for 15 minutes.
Dollop the cream cheese mixture at the bottom of each triangle.
For the smoked salmon croissants, in a bowl, mix the cream cheese with the smoked salmon, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
Roll the triangles up. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake them in a 347 F (175 C) oven for 15 minutes.
Place the puff pastry sheet on a surface and cut it into 12 parts.
Serve the pastries together on a platter.
Cut a hole in the pointy end of each triangle and put the end through the hole.
Dollop the cream cheese mixture at the bottom of each triangle.
Roll the triangles up. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake them in a 347 F (175 C) oven for 15 minutes.
Serve the pastries together on a platter.
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