Ever wonder how to make your own fillable Puff Pastry Appetizer Cups? Wonder no more! Once made, you can fill them however you like! They're so versatile!
Now you can easily make your own appetizer cups at home and with hardly any effort. Surprise your family and friends by saying, "I made them myself," and watch their mouths drop open with awe and amazement!
Table of Contents Found Here
- The ingredients
- Ingredient information
- Tools and equipment needed
- What is puff pastry?
- Top tip for success
- Can these appetizer cups be made in advance?
- How to store the pastry cups after baking
- Can these pastry cups be frozen after baking
- How many puff pastry cups per sheet of dough
- Sweet or savory filling
- Best way to fill mini puff pastry appetizer cups
- What does puff pastry taste like?
- Can homemade puff pastry be used for making appetizer cups?
- Is laminated dough the same as puff pastry?
- Filling suggestions for pastry cup appetizers
- Can larger puff pastry cups be made using this same method?
- Additional puff pastry recipes
- Printable Recipe Card
- Please comment if you've made this recipe.
The ingredients
*Please note that the exact measurements along with a "shop the recipe" feature from Instacart and Walmart is available inside the printable recipe card.
Ingredient information
STORE BOUGHT PUFF PASTRY SHEETS - I pretty much always use the Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets because it's a brand I've used in the past, and it's a brand I trust.
Tools and equipment needed
If using store-bought puff pastry the list of equipment is short.
You'll need 2 round biscuit cutters (one 2¼" in circumference and the other 1½" in circumference)
A paring knife, baking sheet, parchment paper, cooling rack, rolling pin (optional), and a kitchen timer.
What is puff pastry?
Puff pastry is a light and flaky dough made by working butter into dough with rolling and folding, rolling and folding which produces several layers of butter and dough. As the dough bakes, the butter melts and gives off steam, creating the characteristic puffy, crispy layers of buttery dough.
Top tip for success
Once baked, don't wait too long before hollowing the center of the pastry. As soon as the puffs are cool enough to handle use the paring knife ready to gently cut and hollow out the center of each flaky pastry cup.
Can these appetizer cups be made in advance?
They sure can! They can even be frozen if needed. See more below.
How to store the pastry cups after baking
Store the baked but unfilled puff pastry cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, but for longer storage you can keep them in the refrigerator (in an airtight container) for up to 7 days.
Can these pastry cups be frozen after baking
Yes! Cool the pastry cups completely. Then, store in them in an airtight freezer container for up to 2-3 months.
To use, thaw the pastry cups in the refrigerator and reheat them (if desired) in a preheated 350 degree oven (175 C) until hot and crispy.
Please note that in many cases these pastry cups will not need to be reheated. It all will depend on what you decide to serve in them.
How many puff pastry cups per sheet of dough
Using a 2¼" round cutter, you'll get 12 each pastry cups per one sheet of dough.
Sweet or savory filling
The choice is completely yours.
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Whatever you decide to add inside these flaky little appetizer cups will be pure perfection.
A word of caution, however, these are not meant to hold liquid.
Best way to fill mini puff pastry appetizer cups
I like to use a piping bag (if I require a more precise filling application), but if not two teaspoons will work well.
What does puff pastry taste like?
It's has a buttery melt in your mouth light flavor with a delicate crispy crunch.
Can homemade puff pastry be used for making appetizer cups?
Yes, of course! If you have the time, patience, and desire to make your own puff pastry I say GO FOR IT.
I've not made homemade puff pastry very many times, but I do have a recipe on my site for Homemade Blueberry Cheese Danish where I started with making my own puff pastry. Feel free to check it out and use the puff pastry dough recipe and instructions and then follow on making these flaky little appetizer cups.
Is laminated dough the same as puff pastry?
Essentially, yes. Laminated means "layers" which is what puff pastry is. Layers and layers of dough and butter as described above in the section "What is puff pastry?"
Filling suggestions for pastry cup appetizers
Sweet filling suggestions:
- pie fillings
- puddings
- pastry creams
- citrus curds
- cheesecake
Savory filling suggestions:
- cream cheese
- cooked ground meat
- cooked chicken
- pimento cheese
- tapenades
- cooked seafood
Can larger puff pastry cups be made using this same method?
Yes, but the baking time will be increased. Feel free to experiment with the size, shape, and fillings of your fillable pastry cups!
Additional puff pastry recipes
They'll think you bought these delicious Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers at the bakery, but you made them at home, and it was quick and easy! TA-DA!!
This delectable BLT Puff Pastry Tart with a Balsamic Drizzle for an appetizer or main course, you're going to love the fresh tomato flavor topped by oodles of crispy, smoked bacon.
What would you call layers upon layers of puff pastry which encase layers and layers of chocolate, cream cheese, and cherries? Well, why not Chocolate Cherry Pastry Tower? Works for me! LOL
They'll think you spent hours making these deliciously flaky Pumpkin Spice Palmiers, but you were in and out of the kitchen in no time flat!
Flaky Chicken Pot Pie Turnovers take only minutes to make thanks to the use of store-bought puff pastry sheets. These savory chicken turnovers are great as a grab and go meal or delicious packed in a lunch sack or picnic basket.
When you make today's recipe (and I hope that you will), I'd appreciate it if you'd take the time to come back and give it a star rating along with a comment on why you rated as you did.
Search engines such as Google appreciate comments and ratings and, in turn, will show my recipes to more people. Please look for the pink star rating box within the printable recipe card. Thank you!!
Printable Recipe Card
How to Make Fillable Puff Pastry Appetizer Cups
Equipment
- pastry roller optional
- round biscuit cutters 2¼ inch and 1½ inch
Ingredients
- 1 box (two sheets per box) puff pastry sheets
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour optional
Instructions
- Allow the pastry sheets to thaw (if previously frozen) in the refrigerator for 6 hours (or overnight).
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (205 Celsius).
- Remove one pastry sheet from the package at a time and lightly roll (or pat) the creases from the dough, using additional flour (if needed) to prevent sticking. Discard the paper.
- Use the larger circle cutter to cut 12 circles completely through the dough. Place the dough circles onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Use the smaller cutter to score (not fully cut), an inner circle in the dough. You will use this as a guide from which to remove the center of the dough to form the "cup" once baked.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes (center rack) until the puffs are puffed and golden.
- Remove from the oven and allow them to cool slightly until you're able to handle them without being burned.
- Using the center score as a guide, use a paring knife to gently cut the center from each puff, removing layers of dough (from the center if needed) to form a neat cup.
- Follow the same procedure with the second sheet of dough and allow the cups to cool completely before adding your choice of filling.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's easy and fillable puff pastry appetizer cup recipe/method as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen on my site, please don't hesitate to reach out to contact me. It is always my distinct pleasure to get back with you just as soon as I possibly can!
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you will come back and visit me often. Please know that there is always room for you around my kitchen table!
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!
Maggie says
I just happened across this recipe. I'm 81 yrs young and have only purchased puff pastry recently, so a novice you might might say. Thanks so much for this recipe I look forward to trying.
The pastry I bought was in cold section not frozen and stated 'do not freeze' ? Are 2 types available ?
Renée says
Hi, Maggie!
I've not seen the refrigerated kind but I'm sure it's wonderful.
Plus, it will save you the pesky step of thawing the dough.
Enjoy this recipe and have fun with whatever you decide to use for a filling.
I hope you'll visit me again.
Take good care,
Renee
Ashley W says
Thank you Renee!!!
Renée says
It's my pleasure to help.
You're welcome 🙂
Ashley W says
I am hosting a birthday party for my mom soon and am so grateful I came across your abundantly helpful information!! I want to add apples and brie cheese to these cute little cups, then heat them in the oven to melt the cheese. Would you recommend cutting down on the baking time so the puff pastry does not burn when I heat them? I'll definitely do a test run before the party.
Renée says
Hi, Ashley!
The appetizers for your mom's party sound like they'll be incredible!!
I recommend making the cups themselves as the recipe card states, and after baking fill them with the apples
and cheese. Bake them after filling at a low temperature (300 degrees for only a few minutes should be sufficient) to melt the cheese, but not burn the cups.
I hope this is helpful. I'd love hearing back from you about how they turned out. Happy birthday to your mom!!
Take good care,
Renee
Lauren Osborn says
Thank you for sharing this recipe on puff pastry. I was wondering how soon in advance can I fill the pastry with cream?
Renée says
Hi, Laruen!
I'd so no longer than 4 hours. I'd hate for them to get soggy on you.
I hope this is helpful.
Take care,
Renee