Easy Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Cups

These delicious, easy ham and cheese puff pastry cups are filled with diced ham, two types of cheese, onions, diced jalapeños, and seasoned deliciously. These ham and cheese pastry cups make perfect appetizer for the big game.

When you think of puff pastry, you probably think of cream cheese and fruit. The word “pastry” is almost synonymous with sweet desserts, but let me suggest another option – savory treats! Oh, yes. This type of pastry is so much more than just a nest or wrapping for sweet ingredients. There are so many delicious savory options out there, as well. One of my favorite ways to use this kind of pastry is by making my delicious ham and cheese puff pastry cups. They make the perfect breakfast, lunch, or afternoon snack, and whenever I make them, they’re always gone in a flash. 

Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Cups

These delicious ham and cheese treats make the perfect appetizer or brunch recipe. The great thing about them is that they also make the perfect meal. You can serve up a few of these alongside the veggie of your choice, and you have a fun family meal that everyone will love. They’re also great for movie nights, game days, and even bringing along to potluck parties. 

Every bite of these delicious snacks is filled with the buttery, flaky layers of puff pastry that have been baked to golden perfection along with ham, cheese, jalapeno, and more. All of that combined makes for a delicious savory snack that packs a punch of flavor and heat. It’s so good, it just might become your new favorite recipe. 

Frequently Asked Questions

This recipe is absolutely delicious and so easy to make, so chances are, you’re already chomping at the bit to make it. Before you do, however, take a moment to look over this FAQ. It answers all the most common questions regarding an appetizer like this and will be a big help to you as you go through the recipe. 

What Type of Ham Should I Use?

The beauty of this recipe is that you can use almost any kind of ham you want. As long as it has that great ham flavor, you’ll be golden. Some of my favorite options are below along with why they work so well. 

Ham Steak

Ham steak is an excellent option for this dish. It cooks up fast and is easily diced. 

Leftover Ham

Any kind of leftover ham such as a spiral ham is perfect for this recipe. The spiral slicing makes for easy dicing, and it has that classic ham flavor.

Deli Ham

If you buy deli ham, this will work, as well. Ask for it to be thickly sliced and then dice it right up!

Spam

I know some of you will scoff at this, but Spam is actually quite delicious when cooked up properly. Dice it up and brown it in a pan. It makes a delicious addition to these appetizers.

What Type of Cheese is Best for this Recipe?

There are several types of cheese that will work well in this recipe. One of them is standard to any variation of this dish, but the rest are all simply up to your personal preference.

Cream Cheese

Cream cheese is a necessity in this recipe. It gives a nice creamy base to which you’ll add your other cheeses for the perfect, creamy and melty cheese combo.

Cheddar

Any kind of cheddar works extremely well with ham. Whether you love mild, sharp, or white, cheddar cheese always pairs perfectly with ham.

Colby and Colby Jack

Colby and Colby Jack are also excellent cheeses to make with these ham and cheese puff pastry cups. They have just the right amount of bold flavor to stand up to the ham but aren’t quite as strong as cheddar.

How Do I Thaw Puff Pastry?

To thaw puff pastry, separate each sheet on a plate and cover it with plastic wrap. Then leave it in the refrigerator for about four hours.

Do you Cook Puff Pastry before Filling it?

Not usually. Whether you’re filling the pastry or using it as a cup, you’ll bake it and the ingredients at the same time. The only time you would do this is if you are using puff pastry as a pie crust, in which case you’d par-bake it just like a regular pie crust.

Can Puff Pastry be Used as a Pie Crust?

It absolutely can! Roll the puff pastry out to about 1/8-inch thick and then par-bake it in the same way that you’d par-bake traditional pie crust.

Variations

If you don’t have certain ingredients on hand or you just want to change up these ham and cheese puff pastry cups, I have some ideas that I think you’ll like.

Make them Mild

If you don’t like heat, you can leave out the diced jalapenos and red pepper flakes for a milder variation on this recipe.

Add Spinach

Spinach is a great addition to this recipe. I recommend cooking it down first to remove excess liquid and then adding it to the mixture before baking.

Pimento

Add some diced pimento to the recipe for a Tex-Mex flair.

Ingredients for Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Cups

It only takes a few ingredients to make these delicious puff pastry cups. You can find them all easily at your local grocery store if you don’t have them in your kitchen already.

• Puff pastry sheets
• Ham, finely diced
• Finely diced, seeded jalapeños
• Finely chopped onions
• Slap Ya Mama seasoning
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Red pepper flakes
• Sharp cheddar cheese
• Softened cream cheese
• Olive oil

How to Make Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Cups

This is not a difficult recipe to make at all. A little prep and a little bit of cooking on the stovetop and then baking is all it takes. In just a few easy steps, you’ll have a delicious dish perfect for almost any occasion or time of day.

Step 1 – Prep Time

Set out your cream cheese to soften. Finely dice the ham, jalapenos, and onions. Then, measure out all your ingredients.

Step 2 – Cook the Ham Filling

Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large frying pan. Add the ham, jalapenos, onions, and seasoning and cook until the vegetables are tender and translucent. Remove from the heat and add the mixture to a bowl to cool for about 15 minutes.

Step 3 – Make the Cream Cheese Filling

In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese for two to three minutes until it’s smooth and creamy, then add the shredded cheese and mix.

Step 4 – Combine

Mix the ham and cheese mixtures together until well-combined.

Step 5 – Prepare the Puff Pastry

Roll out the thawed puff pastry dough on a lightly floured work surface. Cut the sheet into nine even squares as well as with the second sheet of puff pastry.

Step 6 – Create the Puff Pastry Cups and Bake

Lightly spray a muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray and place each pastry square into the cups, pressing down to form a bowl. Then, fill each cup with the ham and cheese mixture. Bake the cups until golden brown, then remove them from the oven and let sit for five minutes. Remove from the pan and serve!

Try These Delicious Easy Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Cups Today

Whether you need a quick lunch or an easy snack, these puff pastry cups are the perfect finger food recipe. Easy, delicious and loaded with flavor.

More Puff Pastry Recipes

Cherry Cream Cheese Puff Pastry – This puff pastry dessert is delicious and filled with a creamy cream cheese mixture, all stuffed between a three layer flaky puff pastry. Then dusted with powdered sugar, drizzled with chocolate, topped with cool whip and finally a cherry to finish it off. Talk about scrumptious!

Blueberry Cream Cheese Puff Pastries – Blueberries are such a delicious fruit and make some of the best desserts. These blueberry puff pastries are filled with a cream cheese mixture and a blueberry filling. They are definitely a conversation starter.

Looking For More Appetizer Recipes?

Mile High Nachos – These delicious nachos are fully loaded with deliciously seasoned ground beef, refried beans, nacho cheese, two types of shredded cheese, jalapenos, green onions, sour cream, salsa and even guacamole! The perfect appetizer.

Fried Onion Strings – If you love crispy fried onion strings, you are going to love this version. These crunchy onion toppers are perfect to add to hamburgers, brisket tacos, casseroles and so many more recipe. So simple to make and is a delicious midday snack.

Little Smokie Corn Dogs – These tasty bite-size treats are always something to look forward to. One of our favorite things is to whip up is a batch of little smokie corn dogs. The delicious batter, fried to a golden brown, with a delicious little smokie sausage in the middle, is the perfect appetizer recipe.

And, here is a delicious Soft Pretzel Bites recipe, from Deliciously Seasoned, that is definitely worthy of being on the appetizer menu.

Here are two photos that are perfect to “pin” to your favorite Pinterest boards.

Enjoy, Terri