Croque Monsieur Puffs
Croque Monsieur Puffs are delicious, easy-to-make bite-sized pastries filled with melty Gruyère cheese, savory ham, and creamy béchamel sauce, all wrapped in a flaky puff pastry. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or light dinner, these golden, crisp puffs bring classic French flavors to your table quickly and effortlessly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 puffs 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Gluten-Free (if gluten-free puff pastry is used)
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 4 oz thinly sliced ham, diced
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded
- 1 cup béchamel sauce (butter, flour, warm milk, salt, pepper, nutmeg)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Prepare the Béchamel Sauce: Start by making a smooth béchamel sauce with butter, flour, and warm milk. Stir constantly over medium heat until thickened, then season lightly with salt, pepper, and a hint of nutmeg. This creamy base is the heart of your puffs.
- Assemble the Filling: Combine the béchamel sauce with shredded Gruyère and diced ham in a bowl. Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard for tang, then mix gently but thoroughly to create a thick and luxurious mixture perfect for stuffing.
- Prepare Puff Pastry Squares: Roll out your thawed puff pastry sheet and cut it into equal squares about 3 to 4 inches each. Brush the edges lightly with egg wash to help seal the pastries.
- Fill and Shape the Puffs: Place a generous spoonful of the ham and cheese mixture in the center of each square. Fold the pastry over to form triangles or rectangles, then press the edges firmly with a fork to seal. Brush the tops with egg wash for a golden finish.
- Bake Until Golden and Puffy: Arrange the filled pastries on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15 to 20 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Keep puff pastry cold before baking for maximum puff and flakiness.
- Do not overfill the puffs to prevent leaking during baking and keep them neat.
- Grate Gruyère cheese fresh for better melting and flavor.
- Press pastry edges firmly with a fork to seal completely.
- Serve warm for best flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 puffs
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Croque Monsieur, puff pastry, appetizers, French recipe, ham and cheese puffs, easy snacks
Find it online: https://mydishez.com/croque-monsieur-puffs/