These Ham Cheese & Spinach Puffs are an easy yet impressive dish, perfect for brunch or as a snack. With a crispy puff pastry exterior and a deliciously creamy filling made with ham, spinach, and Swiss cheese, these puffs are sure to wow your guests.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 sheets puff pastry (store-bought or homemade)

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1 cup (240ml) warm milk

• 1 pinch of salt

• Freshly cracked pepper, to taste

• Ground nutmeg (optional)

• 1/2 lb (220g) cooked ham, diced

• 2 cups fresh spinach, rinsed and chopped

• 1 cup Swiss cheese, grated

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the puff pastry into 5-inch (13 cm) squares and refrigerate.

2. For the béchamel sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and salt; cook, stirring, until it becomes a pale golden color with a nutty aroma.

3. Slowly pour in warm milk in two parts, stirring constantly until smooth. Bring the mixture to a boil, cooking for about 7 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for another 10 minutes, stirring often.

4. Stir in the spinach and cook for 1 minute, then add the ham and half of the cheese. Stir well and set aside.

5. Place the puff pastry squares on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of the béchamel mixture onto each square, top with the remaining cheese, and fold the corners to seal.

6. Make an egg wash by whisking together 1 egg with 1 teaspoon of cold water. Brush the puff pastry with the egg wash and bake for 20 minutes, or until golden and puffed.

7. Serve immediately with a crisp salad.

Nutritional Value (per puff):

• Calories: 250-300 kcal

• Protein: 8-10 grams

• Carbohydrates: 20-25 grams

  • Sugars: 1-3 grams

• Fat: 16-18 grams

  • Saturated Fat: 7-9 grams

• Cholesterol: 45-60 mg

• Sodium: 300-400 mg

• Fiber: 1-2 grams

• Vitamin A: 10-15% of the Daily Value (DV)

• Calcium: 8-10% of the DV

• Iron: 6-8% of the DV

This estimate can vary based on the size of the puff, the specific ingredients used (e.g., cheese type, puff pastry), and the precise quantities. To get the most accurate nutritional data, it’s best to calculate using your specific ingredients in a nutrition database.

The Appeal of Ham, Cheese & Spinach Puffs

There’s a lot to love about Ham, Cheese & Spinach Puffs. The crispy, flaky puff pastry gives these puffs their satisfying texture, while the creamy béchamel sauce makes the filling rich and indulgent. The combination of ham, spinach, and Swiss cheese brings together a savory, slightly earthy taste with a touch of richness from the cheese. Each puff is perfectly balanced, providing a warm and comforting bite that’s also light enough for a variety of occasions.

What truly sets these puffs apart is how easy they are to make. Despite the seemingly sophisticated flavor profile, they come together quickly with just a few basic ingredients. Whether you’re a beginner in the kitchen or a seasoned cook looking for a quick but impressive recipe, these Ham, Cheese & Spinach Puffs are the way to go.

A Versatile Dish for Various Occasions

One of the best things about these puffs is their versatility. You can enjoy them as part of a brunch spread, as a starter at a dinner party, or even as a snack while watching a movie or hosting a casual gathering. They’re perfect for serving alongside a crisp salad, a bowl of soup, or even as a fun finger food for parties. The light and airy puff pastry makes these treats easy to grab and eat, making them an ideal choice for both informal and formal settings.

These puffs also lend themselves well to customization. You can easily swap out the ham for other proteins like chicken, bacon, or turkey. If you want to make the dish vegetarian-friendly, simply omit the meat and add more spinach or even other vegetables like mushrooms or artichokes. The béchamel sauce also provides the perfect creamy base for these adaptations.

Breaking Down the Layers: What Makes These Puffs So Special?

Each component of the Ham, Cheese & Spinach Puff is thoughtfully crafted to create a cohesive and flavorful whole.

• Puff Pastry: The puff pastry is the star of the show when it comes to texture. It’s flaky, buttery, and golden brown after baking, creating the perfect outer shell for the creamy filling. You can use store-bought puff pastry to save time, or make your own for a more authentic touch. Either way, the pastry provides a satisfying crunch with each bite.

• Béchamel Sauce: The béchamel sauce serves as the creamy backbone of the filling. Made by combining butter, flour, and warm milk, this sauce creates a smooth and velvety texture that binds the other ingredients together. The addition of spinach and ham to the béchamel transforms it into a flavorful, comforting filling that complements the puff pastry perfectly.

• Ham and Spinach: The ham adds a savory, meaty flavor to the puffs, while the spinach contributes a mild earthiness that balances the richness of the cheese and béchamel. The spinach also adds a touch of freshness, lightening up the dish and providing a nice contrast to the heavier elements. Together, they form a well-rounded filling that’s both hearty and satisfying.

• Swiss Cheese: The Swiss cheese gives the filling a creamy texture while also adding a slight tanginess that enhances the overall flavor. As the puffs bake, the cheese melts into the béchamel, creating a gooey, cheesy interior that pairs beautifully with the crispy puff pastry.

The Perfect Combination of Flavors

One of the best things about this recipe is how the flavors work in perfect harmony. The savory ham provides depth and a slight smokiness, while the spinach adds a touch of earthiness that keeps the dish from feeling too rich. The béchamel sauce brings everything together in a smooth, creamy base, while the Swiss cheese adds that irresistible meltiness that makes each bite so satisfying. Finally, the puff pastry delivers a light and flaky crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy filling inside.

Helpful Tips for Making Ham, Cheese & Spinach Puffs

Making these puffs is relatively straightforward, but there are a few tips to ensure they turn out perfectly every time.

1. Don’t Overfill the Pastry: While it’s tempting to stuff each puff with as much filling as possible, it’s important not to overfill. The puff pastry needs to be able to close properly, and too much filling can make it difficult to seal the edges. Stick to the recommended amount of filling to ensure the puffs bake evenly and stay together.

2. Chill the Pastry Before Baking: After you’ve cut the puff pastry into squares and filled them, be sure to refrigerate the puffs for about 15-20 minutes before baking. This helps the pastry maintain its shape and prevents it from becoming too greasy during baking.

3. Egg Wash for a Golden Finish: Brushing the tops of the puff pastries with an egg wash gives them a beautiful golden-brown color and a shiny finish once baked. It also helps to seal the edges of the pastry, ensuring that the filling stays inside.

4. Make the Béchamel Sauce Ahead of Time: If you’re short on time, you can make the béchamel sauce ahead of time and refrigerate it until you’re ready to assemble the puffs. This will save you time on the day you plan to bake them and help you streamline the process.

5. Serve Immediately for Maximum Crispiness: For the best texture, serve these puffs as soon as they come out of the oven. The pastry will be at its crispiest and most delicious right after baking, and the filling will be warm and gooey.

Nutritional Considerations

Each Ham, Cheese & Spinach Puff contains around 250-300 calories, with a balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fat. The puff pastry contributes a significant portion of the fat, including saturated fat, so this dish is best enjoyed in moderation. However, the protein from the ham and cheese, as well as the fiber from the spinach, helps to make the puffs a filling and satisfying option. You can further adjust the nutritional content by using lighter alternatives like reduced-fat cheese or adding more vegetables to the filling.

Conclusion: A Flavorful and Impressive Snack

Ham, Cheese & Spinach Puffs are the perfect choice for anyone looking to add a little bit of sophistication to their meals without spending hours in the kitchen. These puffs are not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make. With their crispy exterior, creamy filling, and savory flavors, they are sure to impress your guests and leave everyone coming back for more. Whether you’re hosting a brunch, attending a potluck, or simply enjoying a cozy snack at home, these puffs are guaranteed to be a hit.