These Oven-Baked 4-Ingredient Golden Twisted Party Bites tuck finely chopped ham and cream cheese between layers of puff pastry. The twists bake up flaky and deeply golden, with a creamy, savory filling that peeks through the folds.
What You’ll Need
- Frozen puff pastry. Thaw one sheet until it unfolds easily and still feels cold.
- Cream cheese. Soften 4 ounces so it spreads easily across the pastry.
- Cooked ham. Finely chop enough to make 1 cup. Small pieces make the filled strips easier to twist.
- Egg. Beat one large egg and brush it lightly over the twists just before baking.
How to Shape the Puff Pastry Twists
Roll the pastry just enough to smooth the creases and form a neat rectangle. Mix the ham and cream cheese, then spread the filling over one half of the pastry in an even layer, leaving a narrow border. Fold the bare half over the filling and press gently to bring the layers together.
Cut the folded pastry into strips about 1 inch wide. Hold each strip at both ends and twist it gently a few times. If the pastry becomes soft or sticky, refrigerate the filled pastry briefly to firm it up before cutting and twisting.
How to Bake and Serve
Space the twists apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops lightly with beaten egg and bake at 400°F for 15–18 minutes, until the pastry is puffed and deeply golden. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes so the filling settles before you move them.
Serve warm on a party platter, with Dijon mustard or honey mustard on the side if desired. The recipe serves eight. The number of twists will depend on the size of your pastry sheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use leftover baked ham?
Yes. Finely chop the cooked ham so the filling spreads evenly. Blot it dry first if it has a wet glaze or excess juices.
How do I keep the filling from squeezing out?
Spread the filling evenly and leave a narrow border along the edges. Twist each strip gently and stop once it holds its shape. A little filling showing at the edges is fine.
Oven-Baked 4-Ingredient Golden Twisted Party Bites
Flaky puff pastry twists filled with ham and cream cheese, then brushed with egg for a golden finish.
- Bake time — 15–18 minutes
- Servings — 8
Ingredients
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed but still cold
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup finely chopped cooked ham
- 1 large egg, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Stir the softened cream cheese and chopped ham together in a small bowl until evenly combined.
- On a lightly floured work surface, roll the puff pastry slightly into a neat rectangle.
- Spread the filling over one half of the pastry, leaving a narrow border. Fold the other half over the filling and press gently.
- Cut the filled pastry into 1-inch strips. Gently twist each strip a few times and place it on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between the twists.
- Brush the tops lightly with beaten egg. Bake for 15–18 minutes, until puffed and deeply golden brown.
- Cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a platter and serve warm.