Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Appetizers
These Savory Christmas Tree appetizers are made with only five ingredients including store bought puff pastry, cream cheese and salami. They are the perfect Holiday Appetizers and will be the first to go!
Simple Savory Christmas Trees are so easy to make and even better to eat. They were a big hit with family and friends. I love making these savory and my sweet puff pastry Christmas trees are quick and easy dessert treat also!
I am a big lover of Puff Pastry, I think it must be an Italian thing. Puff Pastry is easily available in all grocery stores in Italy and not just in the frozen section, but also in the refrigerator section, so no need to defrost, works for me. If you prefer you can also make your own Homemade Puff Pastry, nothing like it!
Recipe Ingredients
- Puff Pastry – store bought or homemade, if frozen then thawed
- Cream cheese – either cream cheese mousse or spreadable cream cheese
- Salami – thin slices or prosciutto or cooked ham
- Olives – green olives
- Cheese – hard cheese of choice
You will need 10 cubes of hard cheese, such as Swiss cheese, Cheddar or even Gruyere if you want to stand the trees up. I used cream cheese because I didn’t want a really melty cheese.
How To Make Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
Roll out Puff Pastry (or defrost completely if frozen) lightly roll to smooth out. Spread with cream cheese mousse and top with salami slices, then slice into 9 or 10 strips lengthwise.
Fold the strips of dough accordion style, start with a small amount and widen as you go (until you reach the end).
Place a long skewer in the center starting at the base then through to the top of the tree. Place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Chill the trees while the oven is pre-heating.
Remove them from the fridge and bake until golden. If desired top each tree with a green olive and stick into a hard square of cheese or serve as is.
I have made my own Pastry and it turned out really well, very easy and delicious. But when you need something quick, store bought works great.
Recipe FAQs
Puff pastry typically comes frozen in the grocery store. Be sure to thaw completely before using in this recipe.
If your puff pastry is completely thawed and chilled in the fridge, you can use it right away. If you need to roll it out a little with a rolling pin, it may be easier to let it rest for a few minutes after being chilled so it’s easier to roll out. Chill again after rolling it if it has become too softened to ensure proper cooking times.
They can get dried out in the oven without the milk wash.
Egg and milk whisked together is often used on pastries to create a golden shiny crust. In this recipe, just milk is used. Using just milk creates a matte finish.
Can The Appetizers Be Made In Advance?
You can prepare the appetizers ahead of time. Freeze the unbaked crescents on a baking sheet, covered with plastic wrap. They will last for up to 1 month in the freezer. They can be baked straight from the freezer to the oven, they will probably need a couple of minutes extra for baking.
How Store The Stuffed Puff Pastry
Because puff pastry can become soggy it is probably best to eat them as soon as possible. Although if you do have leftovers be sure to refrigerate in an airtight container. They will keep for up 2-3 days in the fridge.
A couple of weeks ago I made the Sweet Version of these Christmas Trees so on a whim I decided to serve a savory copy cat Appetizer for lunch. If for some reason you don’t like puff pastry you can always use regular pie dough.
More Delicious Puff Pastry Appetizers!
- Puff Pastry Caprese Appetizers
- Easy Puff Pastry Pesto Pinwheels
- Tomato and Cheese Puff Pastry Appetizers
- Mushroom Puff Pastry Appetizers
If you are looking for an easy delicious appetizer this holiday season I hope you give these Savory Puff Pastry Christmas trees a try and of course let me know what you think. Buon Appetito!
Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Appetizers
Ingredients
- 1 roll puff pastry
- ¼-⅓ cup cream cheese mousse**
- 10-12 thin slices salami (or cold cut of choice)
- 10 green olives
- 10 large cubes of hard cheese
**if you can’t find cream cheese mousse then use softened cream cheese (make sure it’s spreadable).
Instructions
- Roll out Puff Pastry (or defrost completely if frozen) lightly roll to smooth out. Spread with cream cheese mousse and top with salami slices, then slice into 9 or 10 strips lengthwise.
- Fold the strips of dough accordion style, start with a small amount and widen as you go (until you reach the end).
- Place a long skewer in the center starting at the base then through to the top of the tree. Place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
- Pre-heat the oven to 350F/180C. Chill the puff pastry appetizers while the oven is pre-heating 15-20 minutes.
- Remove the appetizers from the fridge and bake for approximately 15 minutes or until golden. If desired top each tree with a green olive and stick into a large hard square of cheese or serve as is. Enjoy!
Hi Rosemary, I just discovered your website and everything looks absolutely delicious. I’m getting quite a few ideas for coming up holidays. I know I’m late for Anouk’s questions, but I wanted to comment anyway to help someone else perhaps. She wondered if this puff pastry Christmas tree could be served cold. I believe that it will, after all. puff pastry desserts are not served warm. The filling in the tree is like that of a sandwich or panini, so it should be good at room temperature. As for a vegetarian version, make it with pesto and roasted bell peppers, and parmesan cheese or fresh mozzarella cheese. Not only are those the Italian colors, but Christmas as well. Buon appetito!
Thanks so much for responding Maria, and never too late. Take care.
Do you think I could make it and eat it cold few hours later?
And how would you make a veggie version? please 🙂
Hi Anouk, you could use 2 different types of cheese and leave out the meat, adding vegetables might be a bit difficult because they will have to be extremely thin and well cooked, maybe thin grilled eggplant or zucchini would work. Hope that helps.
Hi Anouk, these are always better warm, I really don’t know how good they would be cold.
ok, I thought it could be like cold pizza haha! But well maybe the puff pastry dont handle it well… 🙁
Hi Anouk, yes cold puff pastry isn’t the most delicious. 🙂
Thank you :)!
You’re welcome.
I made these for Christmas ’22. I definitely need some practice on the accordion fold, wish a video was attached for tips. The trees were delicious warm out of the oven and hours later at room temperature. My first trees were cut about an inch wide and I found them way too puffy and the cook time more then doubled. I re-cut all my remaining trees in half, lengthwise and they turned out perfectly and cooked in 15 min. Another tip is for the Cream Cheese Mousse. I googled a recipe and made my own. It was very easy and delicious. I baked the rest of the trees in the morning for breakfast. Yum yum. 🙂
Can theses be made up the evening before then taken out and baked the day of?
Hi Robin, yes just be sure to cover the cookie sheet with plastic and refrigerate, then bake. Happy New Year.
Never worked with puff pastry before.
Do you use one sheet at a time do you use all the layers of sheet together when you cut down don’t know what to do because the instructions don’t tell you
Hi Nancy, I have only seen puff pastry with one sheet (phyllo pastry has more sheets), so one sheet is used. Add the filling, cut into strips (as per photos) and fold each strip accordion style. Stick in the stick in the middle and bake. Hope that helps.
Those look cool! How long will they keep?
Hi Bet, I really don’t think these would keep for long, they should really be made and eaten asap. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Oh dear ! So simple, easy to make and so to fall in love with ! Perfect solution for festive days to come.pinning and baking ! Thank you so much ! Happy holidays !
Thanks so much, I hope you enjoy them.