Flaky, cheesy, oven-baked bites
These crispy beef and cheese puff pastries are golden, flaky, and filled with irresistible melty goodness—perfect for brunch, parties, or an easy snack everyone loves. Instead of traditional ham, thinly sliced smoked beef delivers the same savory, salty flavor with a rich, satisfying bite. Thanks to store-bought puff pastry, these pastries come together quickly with minimal prep, making them ideal for busy days or last-minute entertaining. Serve them warm straight from the oven and watch them disappear fast. Simple ingredients, bold flavor, and bakery-style results—these puff pastries are pure comfort in every bite.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18–22 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 6 (12 pastries)
📝 Ingredients List
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 5 slices smoked beef, thinly sliced
- ¾ cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Swiss, or mozzarella)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Sharp knife or pizza cutter
- Small bowl
- Fork
- Pastry brush
🥐 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment 😊
- Cut pastry: Unfold puff pastry and cut into 12 equal rectangles.
- Add filling: Spread a light layer of Dijon mustard (if using). Top with smoked beef and sprinkle cheese evenly.
- Fold & seal: Fold pastry over filling, press edges firmly with a fork to seal ✨
- Egg wash: Whisk egg and water, then brush tops lightly for a golden finish.
- Bake: Bake for 18–22 minutes until puffed, crispy, and deep golden 🧀
- Cool slightly: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- Extra crispy: Chill assembled pastries for 10 minutes before baking.
- Cheese boost: Mix in a little parmesan for sharper flavor.
- Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days; reheat in oven or air fryer.
- Make ahead: Freeze unbaked pastries for up to 1 month—bake straight from frozen, adding 3–5 minutes.