
Yields:
12 serving(s)
Prep Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 25 mins
Cal/Serv:
359
Thought your Easter brunch plans were set? Think again. Stuffed with ham, spinach, and Gruyère, these cheesy pastries are calling your name. Store-bought puff pastry and chopped frozen spinach make these puffs a breeze to assemble. Make them to upgrade any spring brunch, or as an easy appetizer to use up any leftover ham.
Defrost the puff pastry in the refrigerator overnight, and make sure to keep it as cold as possible while you’re rolling it out, cutting, and filling it. The frozen spinach can be quickly thawed in the microwave. Some use kitchen towels to squeeze out the extra water, but I find it easier to place the spinach in a fine-mesh sieve set over the sink and just press it against the bottom of the sieve so the extra water runs out and down the drain. This way is quick and effective—and you won’t need to worry about a bunch of wet kitchen towels.
These puffs are best fresh out of the oven, but if you want to work ahead, you can make the filling and even cut out the pastry squares the day before. Cool the filling completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and layer the puff pastry squares with a little flour between them so they don’t stick before wrapping tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerating.
If you happen to have leftovers (doubtful, but let’s pretend), you can refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Microwaving will make them soggy, but you can reheat them on a baking sheet in a 350° oven just until they’re warmed through.
Made these? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp.
unsalted butter
- 1
shallot, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp.
all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
- 1 cup
whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups
shredded Gruyère (about 4 oz.), divided
- 3/4 tsp.
kosher salt, plus more
- 1/2 tsp.
freshly ground black pepper, plus more
- 1
(10-oz.) pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed dry
- 8 oz.
ham steak, cut into 1/4" cubes (about 1 1/2 c.), divided
- 1
(17.3-oz.) box frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1
large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tsp.
cold water
Directions
- Step 1In a medium pot over medium heat, melt butter. Add shallot and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Whisk in flour to form a thick, bubbling paste, then whisk in milk. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Step 2Remove pot from heat and whisk in 1 cup Gruyère just until melted; season with salt and pepper. Fold in spinach and 1 cup ham. Let cool.
- Step 3Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. On a lightly floured surface, roll 1 sheet of puff pastry to a 15"-by-10" rectangle. Using a sharp knife, cut into 6 equal squares, each about 5"x5". Transfer squares to one of the prepared sheets. Repeat with remaining sheet of puff pastry and baking sheet.
- Step 4Dollop 3 tablespoons cooled filling into center of each square. Press 5 to 6 pieces of remaining ham into top of each. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup Gruyère. Fold corners of each square to meet in the center. Refrigerate pastries until chilled, 15 to 30 minutes.
- Step 5Arrange racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 400°. In a small bowl, whisk egg, water, and a pinch of salt. Brush egg wash over chilled pastries.
- Step 6Bake puffs, rotating sheets top to bottom after 10 minutes, until pastry is golden brown on top and bottom, 15 to 20 minutes. Top with more pepper and serve warm.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below