Puff Pastry Mortadella Baskets: A Quick Starter That Everyone Will Love!

You know those moments when the doorbell rings, the guests roll in, and your snack game is still at zero? Well, you never have to worry about such situations again. Puff pastry baskets are the edible equivalent of pulling a rabbit out of a hat.

They are made from crisp pastry squares, baked golden in a muffin tray, and filled with creamy ricotta, a ribbon of mortadella, and a crunch of pistachio. The process is so low-effort it feels like cheating.

What Are Puff Pastry Baskets?

Puff pastry baskets are essentially tiny edible bowls made from pastry dough that's baked in a muffin tray to form cup-like shapes. Once baked, they serve as handy little carriers for your favorite fillings.

These baskets riff off Italian antipasti traditions, mixing cured meats and cheeses in a form that’s more modern snack board than Renaissance feast. Mortadella itself hails from Bologna, and ricotta? That’s been showing up in Italian kitchens since Roman times. Throw in pistachios, another Mediterranean classic, and you’ve got a fusion of comfort and class, all in one bite.

Are you aware Pistachios used to be called “the smiling nut” in Persia because they naturally split open. These ones? They’re grinning at you from the top of a pastry basket.

Pro Tips for the Best Puff Pastry Baskets

• Chill your ricotta beforehand. Warm ricotta gets runny fast, so a chilled filling holds its own and stays picture perfect.
• Don’t overload the baskets. A little mortadella, a dollop of ricotta, and a sprinkle of pistachios is all you need because overfilling leads to soggy bottoms.
• Use pre-sliced mortadella to allow it to fold easily into those pastry cups without tearing. Plus, it just looks fancier.
• A quick toast of your pistachios in a pan brings out their nutty flavor. It’s the small things that make people think you went to culinary school.

Can I Use Other Fillings?

Absolutely, swap mortadella for prosciutto, smoked salmon, or roasted veggies. Ricotta can be traded for cream cheese or herbed goat cheese.

 Do I Have to Use a Muffin Tray?

Unless you want free-form pastry chaos, yes. The muffin tray helps the squares hold their shape and turn into adorable little cups.

Can I Freeze the Baskets?

You can freeze the unfilled baked baskets. Once cool, store them in a freezer-safe bag. Reheat in the oven to crisp them up before filling.

Can I Add Spices to the Ricotta?

Yes, and you should. A pinch of black pepper, grated lemon zest, or some chopped herbs like chives or basil will level up the flavor.

How to Make Puff Pastry Baskets

Set your oven to 180°C (356°F). Lightly spray a muffin tray with oil so the pastry doesn’t stage a sticky rebellion. Unroll your puff pastry and cut it into even squares. Gently press each pastry square into a muffin cup, tucking the corners in a little if they stick out.

Whisk your egg yolk lightly and brush it over each pastry square. Slide the tray into the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until puffed and lightly golden. You want structure without turning them into pastry bricks.

Take the tray out and let the baskets cool for a few minutes. Removing them while hot could lead to breakage, and we’re not here for broken baskets. Pop a slice of mortadella into each basket, add in ricotta, and pistachio grains on top.

Arrange them on a platter and dig in.