These amazing puff pastry canapรฉs with tomato slices and pesto are super easy to make and always a real crowd-pleaser โ and you only need four ingredients!
Ingredients: 4 | Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Servings: 12 canapes | Difficulty: Easy
Iโve made these crispy and aromatic puff pastry canapรฉs โ or puff pastry nibbles โ with pesto, tomatoes, and Parmesan countless times, often by request.
People whoโve tried them once at my place usually ask me to make them again when theyโre hosting a party themselves โ theyโre just that good. And honestly, once you start eating them, itโs hard to stop! Just as amazing as these Homemade Cheese Crackers (Saratele) or these Romanian Covrigei.
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Recipe ingredients
Tip: You can use one or two sheets - exact amounts donโt really matter. Just cut as many squares as you like and top them with as much pesto and as many tomato slices as you want.
Puff pastry: I use the already-rolled puff pastry found in the refrigerated section of German grocery stores. It comes pre-rolled on baking paper, weighs 10 oz/275 g, and measures about 25 x 42 cm. I usually cut into 15 squares.
- If you're in the U.S., use frozen puff pastry sheets like Pepperidge Farm. Just thaw them according to the package instructions and roll them out slightly if needed. Try these Puff Pastry Pizza Twists, too.
Pesto: Your favorite kind. I often use homemade mint basil pesto, wild garlic pesto, lovage pesto, or lemon balm pesto.
Tomatoes: You can use cherry or plum tomatoes - halve them and place 3 halves on each pastry square. Alternatively, use larger tomatoes, slice them thickly, and place one slice on each square.
Parmesan or pecorino for sprinkling over the puff pastry canapes.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make puff pastry canapes?
Tip: You can cut the pastry squares to any size you like - just adjust the amount of pesto and tomato accordingly for perfect bite-sized canapรฉs.
Step #1: Cut the puff pastry into squares, and place the pieces on baking trays lined with baking paper.
Step #2: Spread a little of your chosen store-bought pesto over each square.
Step #3: Top with a slice of tomato and a sprinkle of hard cheese.
Step #4: Bake the puff pastry canapes until golden and crispy.
Storage
Make ahead and storage: You can prepare the puff pastry squares with pesto, tomatoes, and cheese in advance. Keep them covered in the fridge for a few hours before baking. Bake just before serving to ensure they stay crispy and fresh. If you bake them 3-4 hours before serving, they will be fine.
Store leftovers in an airtight container. You can reheat them briefly in the oven before serving, but I never do; they are great at room temperature.
Puff Pastry Canapes
Ingredients
- 10 oz puff pastry Notes 1, 2
- 4-5 tablespoons pesto more as needed, Note 3
- 3 tomatoes or a handful cherry tomatoes, more as needed, Note 4
- ยฝ cup Parmesan more as needed
- 1 small egg
- fine sea salt and ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the convection oven to 350ยฐF/ 180ยฐC. Line the baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a convection oven allows you to bake two trays of canapรฉs at the same time. If you're using a conventional oven, preheat it to 400ยฐF/200ยฐC and bake the trays one after the other. Keep the second batch refrigerated while the first one bakes.
- Puff pastry: If frozen, defrost it according to the package instructions. Cut it into squares in the size you prefer, and place them on the lined baking sheets.10 oz puff pastry
- Top: Spread a little pesto on each square, leaving some space around the edges. Add a slice of tomato to each one, then sprinkle with a bit of salt, pepper, and some grated Parmesan or Pecorino.4-5 tablespoons pesto + 3 tomatoes + fine sea salt and ground black pepper + ยฝ cup Parmesan
- Egg wash: Beat the egg in a small bowl and brush it over the edges of the pastry squares.1 small egg
- Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the edges of the pastry are golden brown. Enjoy warm or completely cool.
Notes
- Puff pastry: The standard German I use is already rolled puff pastry from the refrigerator section of the supermarket. If using frozen pastry, defrost according to the packet's instructions. If you're using U.S. puff pastry (like Pepperidge Farm), you'll get fewer squares from one sheet and more if using both sheets.
- Cut the puff pastry into squares of your preferred size - about 15 if you're using the standard German pre-rolled pastry (275 g, 25 x 42 cm).ย
- You can use any pesto you like.ย
- Cherry tomatoes are fine as well. In this case, you will need more than three, and you can place 3 halves on each pastry square.
- Bonus recipe - Mint and pistachio pesto: Blendย 2 oz/ 55 g mint leaves, 2 tablespoons pistachios, 1 small red chili, โ cup/ 150 ml olive oil, and 1 ยฝ cups Pecorino or Parmesan cheese in a food processor until almost smooth. Season with salt, transfer to clean jars, and cover completely with olive oil. Refrigerate or freeze, and once opened, keep refrigerated and use within a week.
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Mmmm, these look incredibly delicious! I love the combo of mint and plum tomatoes. SO YUM!
Adina says
I love pesto in all forms but this mint pesto is the best pesto I have ever eaten!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Very nice! I've made pesto with several different types of herbs before but have never tried it with mint - it sounds delicious, especially with the pistachios!
Adina says
Thank you, MJ ๐
mjskit says
Huge fan of mint pesto and I love yours with the pistachios! This snack are a must! Love them!
Evi @ greenevi says
Puff pastry is an absolutely favourite of mine and in fact mainly with pesto! Love that you used pistachios here ๐
Adina says
Thank you, Grace and Evi. Puff pastry is great, I wish it wasn't so full of fat, so I could eat it more often. ๐
grace says
puff pastry is magical, and that's that! what a great little nosh--nicely done. ๐
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
The combination of mint and pistachios sounds so good. This is the perfect holiday appetizer. The small size makes them the perfect finger food! ๐
Adina says
They were gone in minutes, everytime!