Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pockets
These Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pockets are a quick and delicious way to turn one sheet of puff pastry into an easy lunch or snack the whole family will enjoy.
Each pocket is filled with ham, melted cheese and a tasty combination of tomato and barbecue sauce, then baked or air-fried until beautifully golden and perfectly crisp.
Ready in just over 20 minutes, these easy puff pastry pockets are perfect for school holiday lunches, afternoon snacks, playdates or simple party food. They’re also a great way to use up leftover ham and you can easily change the fillings to suit what you already have in the fridge.
Serve them warm while the pastry is crisp and the cheese is deliciously gooey. Just make sure you grab one before the kids make them disappear!
If you are looking for more kid-friendly snacks, you need to check out my Mini Puff Pastry Salami Pizzas
For more easy Puff Pastry Snack ideas
Why you’ll love this recipe
Quick and easy: You only need 10 minutes to assemble the pockets before popping them into the oven or air fryer.
Made with simple ingredients: One sheet of puff pastry and a handful of everyday ingredients are all you need.
Easy to customise: Change the meat, cheese or sauce to use what you already have in the fridge.
Perfect at any time of day: Enjoy them for lunch, afternoon tea, playdates, parties or a quick weekend snack.
Variations
Chicken and cheese: Replace the ham with finely chopped cooked chicken.
Hawaiian pockets: Add a small amount of well-drained crushed or finely diced pineapple.
Bacon and cheese: Use cooked, chopped bacon instead of ham.
Vegetarian pockets: Fill with finely chopped capsicum, corn, mushrooms or baby spinach.
Pizza pockets: Add sliced pepperoni and use mozzarella cheese.
Different cheese: Try tasty cheddar, mozzarella or a combination of both.
No sesame seeds: Leave them off or replace them with poppy seeds.
Storage and reheating
Allow leftover puff pastry pockets to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Reheat them in the oven or air fryer until hot and crisp. The microwave will warm the filling, but the pastry will become softer.
The assembled, uncooked pockets can also be frozen. Freeze them in a single layer before transferring them to a freezer-safe container. Cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time and checking that the filling is hot before serving.
FAQs
Can I prepare the puff pastry pockets ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the pockets, cover them and refrigerate for up to a few hours before cooking. Brush with egg and add the sesame seeds just before baking or air frying.
Can I use pizza sauce instead?
Absolutely. Replace the tomato and barbecue sauces with your favourite pizza sauce.
Why did my puff pastry pockets open while cooking?
They may have been overfilled or not sealed firmly enough. Keep the filling in the centre, leave the edges clear and use a little egg wash to help the pastry stick together.
Can I cook these from frozen?
Yes. Cook the frozen pockets until the pastry is golden and the filling is piping hot. They will need a few extra minutes compared with freshly assembled pockets.
Which cheese works best?
Cheddar or Colby adds plenty of flavour, while mozzarella creates a milder, stretchier filling. You can also use a combination of both for the best of both worlds.
Can I put these in a lunchbox?
They can be packed cold with an ice brick, although puff pastry is at its crispiest when freshly cooked. Always follow appropriate food-safety guidance when packing ham and cheese.
Cheesy Ham Pastry Parcels
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, defrosted
- Tomato sauce
- Barbecue sauce
- Garlic granules
- Italian herbs
- Ham cut into 3cm strips
- Grated cheese
- Egg, lightly beaten
- Sesame seeds to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200ºC and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Place the defrosted pastry sheet on a clean chopping board and cut into 4 squares. Turn the pasty sheet so it looks like a diamond.
- Squiggle tomato sauce in the middle of each square. Repeat with the barbecue sauce and spread over the middle of each pastry diamond.
- Sprinkle with garlic granules and Italian herbs.
- Place ham slices and grated cheese on top of the sauce in a line.
- Fold one corner across the middle and lightly brush with egg wash.
- Fold the opposite corner over the egg wash.
- Brush the top with egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Cook in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden and the cheese has melted.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Preheat the air fryer 200ºC Manual for 3-4 minutes.
- Follow instructions 2-8 above and cook in the air fryer for 8-9 minutes or until the pizza parcels are puffed and golden and the cheese has melted.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving.
The nutritional information provided is computer generated and is only an estimate. This data is provided as a courtesy for informational purposes only.
