Description
Crispy, golden puff pastry squares filled with tangy feta, sweet jam, roasted red peppers, and fresh thyme, baked to perfection and finished with a drizzle of chili oil and lemon zest for a flavorful bite-sized appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry
- All-purpose flour, for surface
- 1 (17.3-oz.) package puff pastry, thawed if frozen
- Cooking spray
Filling
- 2 Tbsp. fig jam, apricot jam, or peach jam
- 2 Tbsp. sliced shallots
- 1 (10-oz.) jar roasted red peppers, cut into 24 (2″ x 1/2″) pieces
- 8 oz. feta, cut into 24 (1″ by 1/2″) cubes
- 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves, plus more for serving
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Finishing
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 Tbsp. chili oil
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pastry: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Dust a clean surface lightly with all-purpose flour. Roll out the thawed puff pastry sheets gently to smooth out any creases, then cut the dough into 24 equal squares using a sharp chef’s knife.
- Prepare the muffin tin: Spray a 24-cup mini muffin tin with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Press each puff pastry square gently into a muffin cup, making sure the pastry extends slightly above the edges of the cup, which will create a nice cup shape once baked.
- Fill the pastry cups: Carefully spoon a small amount of your chosen fig, apricot, or peach jam into each pastry cup. Add a sprinkle of sliced shallots and a piece of roasted red pepper to each. Place one cube of feta cheese on top, then sprinkle with fresh thyme leaves. Season each with a pinch of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Bake the bites: Place the filled muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the pastry is fully cooked, puffed, and golden brown. Remove from the oven and let the bites cool in the tin for about 5 minutes.
- Finish and serve: Carefully transfer the baked feta bites to a serving platter. Garnish with additional fresh thyme leaves, lemon zest, and a light drizzle of chili oil to add brightness and a touch of heat. Serve warm or at room temperature for a delightful appetizer.
Notes
- Thaw puff pastry completely before rolling to avoid cracks.
- Use a sharp knife to cut puff pastry for clean edges and even baking.
- You can substitute roasted red peppers with sun-dried tomatoes for a different flavor.
- Adjust the amount of chili oil to your spice preference.
- Serve fresh for the best texture; leftovers may lose crispiness but can be reheated briefly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
