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Puff Pastry Snacks

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Prep Time: 25 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Skill Level: Easy | Yield: 12 elegant pastries

These beautiful, savory Puff Pastry Snails are the ultimate quick and impressive appetizer or snack. With a vibrant filling of creamy herbed goat cheese and tangy sun-dried tomatoes, they bake into flaky, golden swirls that are perfect for entertaining or a special treat. Using store-bought puff pastry makes them deceptively simple, delivering gourmet results every time.

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet (approx. 8 oz/230g) frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package instructions (usually overnight in the fridge)

  • 4 oz (115g) soft goat cheese (chèvre), at room temperature

  • 2 oz (55g) cream cheese, at room temperature

  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh herbs (a mix of chives, parsley, and dill is ideal)

  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • ⅓ cup (about 2 oz/55g) oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, patted dry and finely chopped

  • 1 large egg (for egg wash)

  • 1 tablespoon water

  • Optional for garnish: Flaky sea salt, extra chopped herbs, or a drizzle of honey for a sweet-savory twist.

Equipment

  • Rolling pin

  • Parchment paper

  • Baking sheet

  • Small bowl and fork (for egg wash)

  • Sharp knife or pizza cutter

Instructions

1. Prepare the Filling

In a medium bowl, combine the softened goat cheese, cream cheese, chopped fresh herbs, lemon zest, and black pepper. Use a fork to mash and mix until completely smooth and well-blended. Gently fold in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes until just distributed. Set aside.

2. Roll & Fill the Pastry

  • Lightly flour your work surface. Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet and roll it out gently with a rolling pin to a neat 10×12 inch rectangle, smoothing any creases.

  • Using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the herbed cheese mixture in an even layer over the entire surface of the pastry, leaving a ½-inch border clean along one of the long edges.

3. Roll, Chill & Slice

  • Starting from the long side opposite the clean border, tightly roll the pastry into a log, using the clean edge to seal the roll. Press gently to ensure it’s sealed.

  • Place the log seam-side down on a plate or tray and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes. This chilling step is crucial—it firms up the log, making it much easier to slice cleanly.

4. Preheat & Prep

While the log chills, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash.

5. Slice & Shape

  • Remove the pastry log from the fridge. Using a sharp serrated knife, carefully trim off the uneven ends. Then, slice the log into 12 even rounds, about ¾-inch thick each.

  • Place the rounds cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for expansion. Gently press down on each snail to flatten it slightly. Lightly brush the tops and sides with the egg wash. This will give them a beautiful, deep golden sheen.

6. Bake to Golden Perfection

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until the pastries are puffed and a rich, golden brown all over.

  • Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. The filling will be very hot!

7. Serve

Serve warm or at room temperature. Garnish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and extra herbs if desired. For a delightful sweet-savory contrast, a tiny drizzle of honey over the warm pastries is sublime.

Chef’s Notes & Variations

  • Thawing Puff Pastry: The key to easy handling is a properly thawed, cold pastry sheet. Refrigerator thawing overnight is best.

  • Make-Ahead: You can assemble the log, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before slicing and baking. You can also freeze the unsliced log for up to 2 months; slice while still slightly frozen and bake, adding a few extra minutes.

  • Variations:

    • Pesto & Mozzarella: Swap filling for ⅓ cup basil pesto and small mozzarella pearls.

    • Fig & Brie: Use soft brie and a layer of fig jam.

    • Everything Bagel: Fill with whipped cream cheese mixed with everything bagel seasoning.

Nutritional Information (Per Pastry)

  • Calories: ~185 kcal

  • Total Fat: 13g

    • Saturated Fat: 5g

  • Cholesterol: 25mg

  • Sodium: 160mg

  • Total Carbohydrates: 12g

    • Dietary Fiber: 1g

    • Sugars: 1g

  • Protein: 5g

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