Imagine biting into a golden, flaky pastry that crumbles delicately to reveal a creamy, herb-infused goat cheese center that transports your taste buds straight to the French countryside. These Rosemary Goat Cheese Puff Pastry bites are not just an appetizer; they're a culinary experience that will elevate any gathering from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether you're hosting a sophisticated dinner party or looking to impress your family with restaurant-quality hors d'oeuvres, this recipe is your ticket to instant culinary stardom.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 4 oz goat cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures that the puff pastry will rise beautifully and become golden brown during baking.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the thawed puff pastry sheet to smooth out any creases and to slightly increase its size. Aim for a thickness of about 1/8 inch.
- Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, cut the puff pastry into squares or rectangles, approximately 4 inches by 4 inches. This will help create individual servings.
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened goat cheese, chopped fresh rosemary, salt, and pepper. Mix well until the ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture is creamy.
- Place a generous spoonful of the goat cheese mixture in the center of each puff pastry square. Be careful not to overfill, as this may cause the pastry to burst during baking.
- Fold the corners of each pastry square over the filling to create a pocket or a triangle shape. Press the edges together to seal, ensuring no filling escapes.
- Transfer the filled pastries to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving space between each one to allow for puffing during baking.
- Brush the tops of the pastries with the beaten egg using a pastry brush. This will give them a beautiful golden color when baked.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the pastries are puffed and golden brown. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-baking.
- Once baked, remove the pastries from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet. Serve warm or at room temperature as an elegant appetizer or snack.
Tips
- Keep your puff pastry cold until just before use to ensure maximum rise and flakiness.
- Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter for clean, precise pastry cuts that will help your appetizers look professionally made.
- Don't overfill the pastry squares - a little goat cheese mixture goes a long way.
- For extra flavor, try toasting the chopped rosemary briefly in a dry pan before mixing with the goat cheese.
- If you want a more intense herb flavor, you can add a small amount of dried rosemary to complement the fresh herbs.
- Always use parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Let the pastries cool for a few minutes after baking to allow the cheese to set and prevent burning your mouth.
- These appetizers can be prepared ahead of time and quickly baked just before serving, making them perfect for entertaining.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 12g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 45mg
