Miniature Puff Appetizers And Fillings

These miniature puff appetizers are the ultimate party snack, offering a delightful contrast between crisp, airy pastry and rich, savory fillings. The base is a classic choux pastry, baked until perfectly golden and hollow. You can customize the experience with three distinct filling options: a vibrant spinach mixture, a hearty corned beef blend, or a creamy deviled ham mix with crunchy water chestnuts. Ideal for holiday gatherings, cocktail parties, or as an elegant starter for a formal dinner, these bites are easy to eat and impossible to stop eating. Prepare the puffs ahead of time for stress-free entertaining, then fill them just before serving to maintain their signature crunch.

Cooking Method: Baking, Boiling

Cuisine: American

Courses: Appetisers

Difficulty: Advanced

Servings: 6

Calories: 404.7

Description

These miniature puff appetizers are the ultimate party snack, offering a delightful contrast between crisp, airy pastry and rich, savory fillings. The base is a classic choux pastry, baked until perfectly golden and hollow. You can customize the experience with three distinct filling options: a vibrant spinach mixture, a hearty corned beef blend, or a creamy deviled ham mix with crunchy water chestnuts. Ideal for holiday gatherings, cocktail parties, or as an elegant starter for a formal dinner, these bites are easy to eat and impossible to stop eating. Prepare the puffs ahead of time for stress-free entertaining, then fill them just before serving to maintain their signature crunch.

Ingredients

1 cup Water
1/2 cup Butter or margarine
1 cup Flour
4 large Eggs
1 box (10.5 oz) Frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 can (12 oz) Corned beef, chopped
2 tbsp Dry French onion soup mix
1.5 cups Sour cream
1 pk (2.5 oz) Deviled ham
1 cup Chopped water chestnuts
1 pk (3 oz) Cream cheese, softened

Directions

1
Preheat oven to 375F (190C).
2
In a medium saucepan, combine water and butter. Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
3
Remove from heat and stir in all the flour at once.
4
Return to low heat and beat vigorously until the mixture leaves the sides of the pan and forms a cohesive ball.
5
Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
6
Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly until each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
7
Continue beating until the dough is smooth, glossy, and velvety.
8
Using two spoons or a pastry bag, drop teaspoon-sized balls of dough onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
9
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the puffs are golden brown and dry to the touch.
10
Remove from oven and let cool completely.
11
While puffs cool, prepare your chosen filling: Mix spinach with sour cream; combine corned beef with onion soup mix and sour cream; or blend deviled ham, water chestnuts, and cream cheese.
12
Slice each puff in half horizontally.
13
Fill each puff with your preferred filling mixture and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

Amount Per Serving
Calories 404.7kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 21.3g33%
Saturated Fat 6.7g34%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 308.7mg13%
Total Carbohydrate 45.9g16%
Dietary Fiber 1.6g7%
Sugars 0.2g
Protein 6.1g13%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Make Ahead: Puffs can be baked in the morning and covered loosely with a paper towel to prevent them from becoming too hard. They will soften slightly, making them easier to split and fill.

Filling Variations: You can mix and match fillings or create your own using ingredients like smoked salmon, cream cheese, and dill, or a simple mushroom duxelles.

Storage: Store unfilled baked puffs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Fill just before serving to maintain crispness.

Texture Tip: Ensure the dough is smooth and glossy before dropping onto the baking sheet; this ensures the puffs rise properly and have a light texture.

Keywords: appetizer, puff pastry, spinach filling, corned beef, deviled ham, choux pastry, party food, bite sized, savory, baked, holiday, cocktail party, water chestnuts, cream cheese, easy recipe, make ahead

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/miniature-puff-appetizers-and-fillings/