Puff Pastry Ham and Cheese Swirls

Here’s how to prepare the delicious puff pastry swirls with ham and cheese, a tasty and quick appetizer to make.

Ingredients

• 1 rectangular puff pastry sheet
• 150 g of thinly sliced cooked ham
• 150 g of sliced cheese (emmental, fontina, mozzarella, or others according to taste)
• 1 egg (for brushing)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
2. Roll out the puff pastry on a work surface.
3. Evenly distribute the slices of cooked ham over the puff pastry, taking care to not place them too close to the edges to prevent them from coming out during rolling.
4. Place the cheese slices over the ham, which can be of your choice. If you opt for a cheese like mozzarella, ensure to drain it well before using.
5. Roll the puff pastry with the filling onto itself, forming a tight roll.
6. Cut the roll into slices about 1-2 cm thick, to form the swirls.
7. Lay the swirls on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, well spaced from each other.
8. In a small bowl, beat the egg and gently brush the surface of each swirl. This will give them a nice golden color.
9. Bake the swirls for about 15-20 minutes or until they are golden and puffy.
10. Remove the swirls from the oven and let them cool on a rack before serving.

Puff pastry ham and cheese swirls can be served either hot or at room temperature, and are perfect for an aperitif or a buffet.

Curiosity

Puff pastry is very versatile and swirls are just one of the many ways to use it. In Italy, these are often found in buffets and aperitifs and are appreciated for their simplicity and taste. There are also vegetarian variations or other types of fillings, such as grilled vegetables or smoked fish.