Vol au Vent Appetizers
An easy and delicious Appetizer, Vol au Vent filled with a creamy Shrimp filling or a tasty Smoked Salmon filling. Both easy and perfect for Holiday get togethers.
Once again I would like to share one of my favourite pastry ideas made with Puff Pastry. Vol au Vent are a fast and easy way to make your appetizers stand out.
I especially like to fill them with 2 of my favourite fillings. A creamy Shrimp filling and the perfect Smoked Salmon, Parmesan Flakes and Arugula Filling.
How to make them
Cut out medium circles. In half of the medium circles cut out a smaller circle. Brush all the circles with a beaten egg.
Place 1-2 cut out rings over the large circle, brush each ring and the edges with the beaten egg. Place on parchment paper lined cookie sheets and bake. Let cool before filling.
What is the difference between a Bouchee and Vol Au Vent?
Vol au Vents which translated means “fly with the wind”, because of the light pastry used, or Bouchee a la Reine, the “little queen”.
I have read a few things, the first being that the Vol au Vent was originally made as a large pastry to cut in portions and share, the Bouchée à la Reine is the smaller version, a bite size, perfect for a buffet table.
Or Bouchee a la Reine is what the French call them and Vol au Vent are known in Switzerland and Belgium. Although it was the French who invented the Bouchee a la Reine.
More Delicious Appetizers
- Italian Antipasto Cheeseboard
- Black Olive Tapenade
- Cheesy Zucchini Bites
- Easy Italian Savory Rustic Pie
- Vegetable Stuffed Potato Parmesan Cheese Baskets
Vol au Vent don’t take very long to bake about 15-20 minutes. While they are baking and cooling you can make your filling. In no time you have a fast, easy and delicious appetizer ready for your Holiday get together. Buon Appetito!
Vol au Vent Appetizers
Ingredients
VOL AU VENT
- 1 puff pastry roll (thawed)
- 1 large egg (beaten)
SHRIMP FILLING
- ¾ cup small shrimp
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 3-4 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped celery
- 1-2 dashes salt and pepper or to taste
SMOKED SALMON FILLING
- ¼ cup smoked salmon (cut into strips)
- 1-2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1-2 pinches salt or to taste
- ½ cup arugula chopped
- 2 tablespoons parmesan ribbons
Instructions
VOL AU VENT
- Pre heat oven to 375F (190C).
- Unroll the puff pastry dough, using a 2½ -3 inch (6 cm) diameter circle cookie cutter, cut out circles. Remove half the circles and place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. The remaining disks, make a hole in the middle using a smaller cutter 1½ inches (3 cm in diameter).
- Prick the circles with the fork tines and brush them with the beaten egg. On each of the circles place 1-2 cut out rings, (make sure to brush the rings and edges with beaten egg. This will help keep the the vol au vent together and also gives them a golden colour).
- Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes or until they appear swollen and golden. Let cool completely before filling.
SHRIMP FILLING
- Cook shrimp in boiling water for about 2-3 minutes, drain well. Add to a medium bowl and toss with lemon juice, then add the mayonnaise, celery and salt and pepper to taste. Fill cooled vol au vent.
SMOKED SALMON FILLING
- In a small bowl add sliced salmon toss with olive oil, salt and pepper to taste and chopped arugula. Fill vol au vent and sprinkle with parmesan flakes.
i gave this recipe 5 stars because it has opened my eyes to a whole other type of Cuisine and I have a package of Puff Pastry in the freezer just waiting to be transformed into a delicious treat!
Thank You , Vincenzo
Hi Vincent, thanks so much, so glad to help. Let me know how it goes. Have a great week.
How far apart should they be on the baking sheet? Mine tend to flop over or go into weird shapes?
Hi Paula I placed them about 1/2-3/4 inch apart, they should go up rather than out. Let me know.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!
Paula , I don’t know if this will help but when making biscuits that have many butter layers it is suggested that they be placed on the baking sheet with sides touching so they rise up straight so why not try with the Puff pastries?
They look great & I would like to try them. Where is the vedio? & & how are the bowls made/ Thank You, Carl.
Hi Carl, thanks, unfortunately there isn’t a video for these, just instructions and photos.
I love puff pastry and these appetizers sound delicious! How far in advance can you bake the Vol au Vent? Can they be frozen after baking but before filling? I’m looking for ideas that can be done in advance for a bridal shower.
Hi Gay, the best way would be to bake them let them cool completely and then freeze them (without filling) in an airtight container or freezer bags. Once they have thawed you could re heat them a couple of minutes in the oven. Hope that helps.
Thank you!