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These Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pockets are a savory, buttery treat featuring layers of flaky puff pastry wrapped around melty cheese and salty ham. They’re simple to make with store-bought pastry, come together quickly, and can be customized to your taste — great for brunch, parties, or cozy weeknight dinners.
⏱️ Prep Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
- Total Time: 35–40 minutes
🍳 Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Rolling pin (optional)
- Pastry brush
- Knife or pastry cutter
🧾 Ingredients (Makes 6 pockets)
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed (or 2 if making smaller pockets)
- 6 slices ham (deli-style or leftover baked ham)
- 6 slices cheese (Swiss, Gruyère, cheddar, or mozzarella)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard or honey mustard (optional)
- Optional: pinch of black pepper or paprika
🧄 Ingredient Notes
- Puff Pastry: Use all-butter puff pastry if possible for the best flavor.
- Cheese: Swiss or Gruyère gives a classic French feel; cheddar adds sharpness.
- Ham: Thinly sliced ham or leftover holiday ham works great.
- Mustard: Adds tang and depth — brush lightly on the pastry if desired.
👨🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat Oven & Prepare
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Puff Pastry
- On a lightly floured surface, unfold the puff pastry sheet.
- Roll out gently if needed to smooth and stretch slightly.
- Cut into 6 equal rectangles (or 4 large ones, if preferred).
3. Fill the Pockets
- On one half of each rectangle, spread a bit of mustard (optional).
- Place a slice of ham and a slice of cheese (folded to fit) on top.
- Season lightly with pepper or paprika if desired.
- Fold the other half over the filling to form a pocket.
- Seal the edges by pressing with a fork.
4. Egg Wash & Vent
- Brush the tops with beaten egg for golden color.
- Cut a small slit on top of each pocket to let steam escape.
5. Bake
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
🍽️ Nutrition Facts (Per pocket – approx.)
- Calories: 290
- Protein: 11g
- Fat: 19g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sodium: 580mg
💡 Tips & Variations
🧺 Tips
- Don’t overfill or they may burst open while baking.
- Seal well with a fork to prevent leaking cheese.
- Chill the pockets for 10 minutes before baking for better puff.
🧀 Variations
- Croque Monsieur Style: Add béchamel sauce or sprinkle grated Parmesan on top.
- Breakfast Version: Add a spoonful of scrambled eggs before sealing.
- Mini Puffs: Cut into 12 small squares for bite-sized appetizers.
- Veggie Add-ins: Add a slice of tomato, sautéed spinach, or caramelized onions.
