Golden Herb & Cheese Puff Pockets Recipe
These Golden Herb & Cheese Puff Pockets are deliciously flaky pastries filled with a creamy blend of cream cheese, mozzarella, and fresh herbs. Perfect as a savory snack or appetizer, these pockets are baked until golden brown with a glossy egg wash finish, delivering a warm, cheesy, and herbaceous bite every time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: About 9-12 puff pockets (depending on the size of pastry squares) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Puff Pastry
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed)
Cheese Herb Filling
- 4 oz (about 115 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or a mozzarella + cheddar blend)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 °F (200 °C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, gently roll out the thawed puff pastry a bit to smooth out any seams, then cut into roughly 3-inch (7–8 cm) squares.
- Make Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, chopped parsley, chives, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Fill Pastry Squares: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cheese-herb filling onto the center of each pastry square.
- Seal Puff Pockets: Fold the pastry over the filling to form either triangles by bringing opposite corners together or make a sealed pocket by folding over. Press edges gently to seal, using a fork to crimp if desired.
- Apply Egg Wash: Beat the egg and lightly brush it over the tops of each filled pastry to create a beautiful golden and glossy finish after baking.
- Bake: Arrange the sealed pastries on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the pastries are puffed up, golden brown, and the filling is warmed through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the puff pockets to cool slightly for a few minutes. Serve warm for the best flavor and texture experience.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs for a more vibrant flavor, but dried herbs can be substituted if necessary.
- Feel free to add other shredded cheeses or herbs to customize the flavor.
- Ensure the puff pastry is well chilled before rolling to help with easier handling.
- Puff pockets can be prepared a few hours ahead and kept refrigerated before baking.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese and mozzarella with suitable plant-based alternatives.
Keywords: puff pastry, cheese pockets, herb cheese pastry, baked appetizers, cream cheese recipe, mozzarella snacks, savory pastries
