Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Pockets

Yield

8 pockets

Total Time

About 40 minutes

Ingredients

Main

• 1 box frozen puff pastry (2 sheets), thawed

• 1½ cups cooked ham, diced or thinly sliced

• 1½ cups cheese, shredded or sliced

  • Swiss, cheddar, Gruyère, or mozzarella work well

Flavor Boost (Optional but Recommended)

• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard or honey mustard

• 1 tbsp mayonnaise or cream cheese

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning

Egg Wash

• 1 large egg

• 1 tbsp water or milk

Instructions

1. Prep

• Preheat oven to 400°F / 205°C

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

• Lightly flour your work surface

2. Prepare the Puff Pastry

1. Unfold thawed puff pastry sheets.

2. Gently roll each sheet to smooth seams.

3. Cut each sheet into 4 equal squares (8 total).

3. Make the Filling

• In a bowl, mix ham, cheese, mustard, mayonnaise (or cream cheese), pepper, garlic powder, and herbs.

• Keep filling modest to prevent leaks.

4. Assemble the Pockets

1. Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each pastry square.

2. Fold pastry over diagonally (triangle) or into a rectangle.

3. Press edges together.

4. Seal edges with a fork.

5. Place pockets seam-side down on baking sheet.

5. Egg Wash

• Whisk egg with water or milk.

• Brush tops lightly for a golden finish.

• Optional: sprinkle sesame seeds or poppy seeds on top.

6. Bake

• Bake for 18–22 minutes

• Pastry should be puffed and deep golden brown

• Cheese may bubble slightly at edges

7. Cool & Serve

• Let rest 5 minutes before serving

• Serve warm for best texture

Tips for Success

• Keep pastry cold; if it softens, chill for 10 minutes before baking

• Do not overfill

• Sharp cheeses give better flavor than mild ones

• For extra crisp bottoms, bake on the lower oven rack

Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerate up to 3 days

• Reheat in oven or air fryer at 350°F until crisp

• Not recommended for microwave reheating (softens pastry)

Variations

• Breakfast version: add scrambled eggs

• Spinach ham & cheese: add sautéed spinach

• Pizza pockets: swap ham for pepperoni and add marinara

• Sweet-savory: use honey ham and Swiss with a touch of honey mustard