Ham and Cheese Pastry Puffs

Ham and Cheese Pastry Puffs are a quick and easy snack made with crispy puff pastry, savoury ham, melted cheese, and mustard. They are simple enough to prepare on a busy day and are great for lunch boxes, afternoon snacks, light lunches, or a quick bite when you want something warm and tasty. The best thing about these pastry puffs is that you only need a few basic ingredients. Puff pastry does most of the work, so you do not need to make dough from scratch. Simply let the pastry soften, cut it into squares, add the filling, fold the pastry, and cook until golden and puffed.

Ingredients

• 2 puff pastry sheets
• 8 slices ham
• 1 cup grated cheese
• 2 tablespoons mustard (you can use any type of sauce)
• 1 egg, whisked to make an egg wash

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C fan-forced and line a baking tray with baking paper.
2. Let the puff pastry defrost on the bench for about 5 minutes.
3. Once the pastry is soft enough to handle, remove the plastic backing.
4. Cut each pastry sheet into 4 equal squares.
5. Spread a layer of mustard over each pastry square.
6. Place one slice of ham on each square.
7. Sprinkle the grated cheese over the ham.
8. Bring two corners of each pastry square together in the centre.
9. Press them gently to keep the pastry folded.
10. Brush the top of each pastry puff with the whisked egg.
11. For the oven method, place the puffs on the prepared baking tray and bake for about 15 minutes, or until golden and puffed.
12. For the air fryer method, place the puffs in the air fryer and cook for about 10 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.

Notes

Keep the puff pastry cool while working with it. If it becomes too soft, it may be harder to fold. Do not add too much filling, as this can make the pastry difficult to close. You can replace the mustard with pizza sauce, tomato sauce, or BBQ sauce. Leave some space between the puffs when cooking so the hot air can circulate properly. The puffs taste best when served fresh and warm, while the cheese is still melted. If using an air fryer, cook in batches if the basket is small. Store leftover pastry puffs in an airtight container for up to 2 days. For the best taste and texture, they are best eaten fresh on the same day they are made.