Puff Pastry Apple and Bacon Bites topped with Gouda Cheese are the perfect bite-sized appetizer. It’s easy, elegant and ready in minutes.
Puff Pastry Appetizer
These Puff Pastry Apple Bacon Bites are the ultimate delicious puff pastry appetizer for fall. I often make puff pastry brie bites for holiday parties, but with apple season approaching I wanted to try something different. I tested this apple, bacon and gouda version and the flavor surprised me. sweet and smoky
It was cheesy in every way and much better than I expected. Enjoy it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any time you need an easy, warm appetizer.
Why I Love Puff Pastry
I go apple picking every fall, and I always come home with more apples than I know what to do with, so I’m constantly looking for creative ways to use them. I loved this apple and bacon filling. It’s so versatile that I plan to use it in future dishes like pork tenderloin or chicken breast stuffing. If you have any other ideas, please leave a comment below!
- Balanced taste: Sweet apples, smoky bacon, and creamy gouda make it sweet, salty, and savory.
- Seasonal and Fresh: Fall apples offer a natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with hearty, rich flavors like bacon and cheese.
- Presentations that will delight your audience: Puff pastry cups look elegant, but they’re surprisingly easy to prepare, making them perfect for parties or holidays when you want to enjoy a warm appetizer.
- Tested and Approved: I regularly make and test appetizer recipes like my popular Puff Pastry Brie Bites, and this fall version has quickly become a favorite in my kitchen.
- Dietary Restrictions: Weight Watchers Friendly, Low Carb
materials needed
Here are all the ingredients for these easy puff pastry apple and bacon bites. See recipe card below for exact measurements.
- puff pastry: Find it in the freezer section of your supermarket and thaw it in the refrigerator the day before making this app.
- bacon The flavor of the meat adds a nice contrast to the sweet apples and creamy cheese.
- Honeycrisp Apples Here are some of the best. Because it maintains its shape when baked, it does not become mushy.
- Gouda It is a semi-hard white cheese. Buy a wedge and grind it at home.
- thyme Pretty green garnish and subtle herbal scent
- Non-stick cooking spray This will prevent the puff pastry from sticking to the muffin tin. If you are using a silicone muffin tin or parchment paper liners, you can skip this step.
How to Make Apple and Bacon Bites
Roasting the apples first will release the moisture and prevent the puff pastry from becoming soggy while baking. See recipe card below for printable instructions.
- Cut the dough: Cut the thawed puff pastry into 4 pieces lengthwise and 3 pieces horizontally. Place each square into a muffin cup and prick the bottom with a fork to prevent it from rising too much while baking. Cover with a damp paper towel and refrigerate.
- Cook the Bacon Place in skillet over medium heat and sear for 1 minute on each side. Then remove and cut.
- Cooking Apples: Put the apples and bacon back into the pan, add bacon grease, and bake. Once the bacon is fully cooked and the apples are tender, transfer them to paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- fill your cup Top with bacon-apple mixture and top with gouda.
- Bake puff pastry For 15-18 minutes. Place on a plate and garnish with thyme.
strain
- dough: Use crescent dough instead of puff pastry.
- Can’t eat gluten? Look for gluten-free puff pastry. It may be hard to find, but some stores, like Whole Foods, carry it.
- fruit: Try it with gala apples, pink lady apples, or any type of pear.
- cheese: Swap Gouda cheese for Gruyere, white cheddar, or Havarti cheese.
- Make it vegetarian Use chopped pecans or walnuts instead of bacon. Fry the apples in olive oil, then mix in the nuts at the end.
- Hub: Replace the thyme with chopped rosemary.
How to prepare in advance
If you’re serving it at a party, make these mini puff pastries a day early. You can also double or triple the recipe if you have more than one muffin tin or holds 24 cups.
- Prepare recipe as directed. Grate the cheese on top, then cover the plate with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate.
- The next day, remove the foil and leave the pan at room temperature while you preheat the oven.
- Bake as directed and serve warm.
save
- Refrigerated storage Leftover appetizer for up to 4 days.
- reheat Place in the microwave or 350°F oven until warm.
More Fall Appetizers You’ll Love
check these out five delicious fall foods An appetizer recipe to serve at your next party!
produce: night soil
Serving Size: 1 cup
Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly spray a 12-cup mini muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
Roll out the puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the sheet into a 10×10 inch square. Cut the sheet lengthwise into four even strips. Cut crosswise into 3 even strips. This will leave you with 12 pieces. Press each piece into a mini muffin tin to create a small cup. Using a fork, gently prick the bottom of each puff pastry cup. Cover with a damp paper towel and place the muffin tin in the refrigerator while you make the filling.
Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon to pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until bacon is tender (golden but not crispy), about 1 minute per side. Set aside on a cutting board, let cool, and then chop into small pieces.
Add apples and bacon to a pan with bacon grease and mix. Cook until apples are tender and bacon is cooked through, about 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer mixture to a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess fat.
Remove the muffin tin from the refrigerator and divide the mixture evenly among the pastry cups. Top with grated gouda. Place the muffin tins on a rimmed baking sheet, transfer to the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes until the puff pastry is golden.
Remove from the oven, place in the muffin tin and let cool for 5 minutes. Carefully lift the cups from the muffin tin, place on a serving plate, garnish with thyme sprigs and serve.
Final step:
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clothing material: 1 cup, calorie: 68.5 calorie, carbohydrate: 6.5 g, protein: 2.5 g, province: 4 g, Saturated Fat: 1.5 g, Cholesterol: 5.5 mg, sodium: 100 mg, fiber: 1 g, sugar: 3 g
