Favorite Ham & Cheese Puff Pastry Appetizer Recipe

This recipe brings together crispy puff pastry with melted Gruyère cheese & black forest ham. Super simple to make, it’s the perfect easy puff pastry appetizer, or enjoy it alongside a salad as a quick meal. Recipe adapted from Ina Garten.

📝 Ingredients

• 1 package (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, defrosted*
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1/4 pound black forest ham, thinly sliced
• 1/2 pound Gruyère cheese, grated
• 1 egg
• flour for dusting

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Preheat your oven to 450 F.
2. 2To make the egg wash, lightly beat an egg with 1 tbsp. of water. Set aside.
3. 3Place a piece of parchment paper onto your work surface and dust lightly with flour.
4. 4Lay one sheet of puff pastry on top of the paper.
5. 5Using the back of a teaspoon, brush the dough with mustard leaving a 1-inch border around the edge. Use a ruler if necessary.
6. 6Staying within the border, add the sliced ham in overlapping layers.
7. 7Add the cheese.
8. 8Brush the border with some of the egg wash to create a seal.
9. 9Place the second sheet of puff pastry on top of the filled pastry lining up the edges.
10. 10Using a sharp knife, trim the dough so that the edges line up and the square is even. It’s just like cutting the crust off of a sandwich. Make sure to cut the dough in a swift downward motion (think paper slicer). If you drag your knife, it will not rise properly. Press down lightly.
11. 11Brush the top with more egg wash and cut a few slits in the top to allow steam to escape.
12. 12Transfer the dough to a baking sheet by lifting up the parchment paper.
13. 13Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.
14. 14Allow to cool for a few minutes and cut into squares (about 12-16 depending how large you want them).
15. 15Serve hot.