These Parmesan Puff Pastry Stars are quite possibly one of the easiest yet most impressive appetizers you can make! Using store-bought puff pastry, these little bites are simply filled with savory Parmesan cheese, brushed with egg wash, and baked until golden, puffed, and utterly delicious. I absolutely love making these Parmesan Puff Stars for parties because they require minimal ingredients and effort but look so festive and taste amazing. They’re perfect for holiday gatherings, cocktail parties, or any time you need a super quick and elegant appetizer – wonderful for spring entertaining!
Why You’ll Love These Parmesan Puff Stars
- Incredibly Easy: Uses store-bought puff pastry and just a few other ingredients.
- Quick to Make: Ready in about 25 minutes total!
- Festive Appearance: The star shape makes them perfect for celebrations and holidays.
- Savory and Cheesy: Packed with salty Parmesan flavor in flaky pastry.
- Versatile: Great base for adding other seasonings or fillings.
Ingredients for Parmesan Puff Stars
Here’s what you’ll need for this super easy appetizer recipe. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Puff pastry sheet (frozen, thawed) (Pastry) (Homemade recipe link provided in original source)
- Egg (Binder/Wash)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (Dairy)
Garnish
- Chopped chives (Herb)
- Salt (Seasoning)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
While the simple Parmesan flavor is classic for these Parmesan Puff Stars, feel free to get creative:
- Add Herbs: Mix dried Italian seasoning, rosemary, or thyme in with the Parmesan cheese filling, or sprinkle on top before baking.
- Different Cheese: Use grated Gruyere, Asiago, Pecorino Romano, or sharp cheddar instead of Parmesan.
- Make them Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the Parmesan filling.
- Everything Bagel Stars: Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning on top after the egg wash instead of extra cheese or herbs.
- Sweet Version: Fill with cinnamon sugar or a dab of jam instead of cheese for a sweet treat.
How to Make Parmesan Puff Pastry Stars
Let me show you how incredibly simple it is to make these Parmesan Puff Stars:
Prep Oven and Pastry
- First, I preheat my oven to 360°F (180°C). (Note: This is slightly lower than the typical 400°F for puff pastry; follow as written or adjust based on your pastry package directions if preferred). I line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- I make sure my puff pastry sheet is properly thawed but still cold. I gently unfold or roll it out slightly on a lightly floured surface.
- Using a star-shaped cookie cutter, I cut out as many stars as possible from the pastry sheet. I’ll need an even number for making sandwiches.
Assemble the Stars
- I place half of the pastry stars onto the prepared baking sheet.
- I sprinkle a good pinch of grated Parmesan cheese onto the center of each star on the baking sheet.
- I place another puff pastry star cutout directly on top of each cheese-topped star, gently pressing the edges slightly if needed.
- In a small bowl, I beat the egg yolk with a pinch of salt and a few drops of water to create an egg wash.
- Using a pastry brush, I apply a thin layer of the egg wash to the top of each assembled pastry star.
- Optional: I sprinkle a little extra Parmesan cheese on top of the egg wash if I want them extra cheesy!
Bake and Serve
- I bake the Parmesan Puff Stars in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the stars are beautifully puffed up and golden brown.
- I carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven.
- I sprinkle the hot stars immediately with fresh chopped chives and a tiny pinch of salt for garnish.
- Serve warm!
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Puff Pastry Stars
Here are my secrets for making perfect Parmesan Puff Stars:
- Keep Puff Pastry COLD: Work with cold, thawed puff pastry. If it gets warm and soft, it won’t puff up as nicely. Chill it again if needed during assembly.
- Use a Sharp Cookie Cutter: A sharp cutter ensures clean edges, which helps the pastry puff evenly.
- Don’t Overfill: A simple sprinkle of Parmesan in the middle is enough; too much might ooze out excessively.
- Egg Wash for Shine & Color: The egg wash is key for that beautiful golden-brown finish.
- Bake Until Puffed & Golden: Ensure the pastry is fully cooked through and nicely golden for the best flaky texture.
How to Serve
These Parmesan Puff Pastry Stars are best served warm! Enjoy them as:
- An Easy Party Appetizer: Arrange them on a platter for guests to grab. Perfect for holidays, showers, or any celebration.
- A Snack: A simple savory snack with drinks.
- With Soup or Salad: A fun alternative to bread or crackers alongside soup or salad.
- Kids’ Party Food: The fun shape and cheesy flavor make them kid-friendly.
Serve immediately or warm.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the unbaked stars on the parchment-lined baking sheet, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours or freeze for up to 1 month. If freezing, bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. Brush with egg wash and add toppings just before baking.
- Storage: Store leftover baked stars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Reheating: Reheat briefly in a toaster oven, regular oven, or air fryer at around 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes to restore warmth and crispness. Microwaving will make them soft.
FAQs about Parmesan Puff Pastry Stars
- Can I use different shapes?
- Absolutely! Use any cookie cutter shape you like – circles, squares, hearts, seasonal shapes, etc.
- Can I add other ingredients inside?
- Yes, but keep it minimal so the pastry still puffs. A tiny dab of pesto, a sliver of sun-dried tomato, or a sprinkle of different herbs would work. Avoid anything too moist.
- What if I don’t have fresh chives?
- You can garnish with dried chives, dried parsley, or simply omit the herb garnish for these Parmesan Puff Stars.
Enjoy these incredibly easy, cheesy, flaky, and festive Parmesan Puff Pastry Stars! They are the perfect simple appetizer.
Print
Parmesan Puff Stars
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 12–16 stars 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Cuisine: American, French-Inspired
Description
These Parmesan Puff Stars are a super easy and elegant appetizer recipe, perfect for a holiday party or any gathering. Flaky puff pastry is filled with Parmesan cheese, cut into star shapes, and baked until golden and puffed.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
- 5 tablespoons (50g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for sprinkling (optional)
- Chopped fresh chives, for garnish (optional)
- Salt, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 360°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Gently unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. If needed, roll it slightly to smooth out creases.
- Cut Stars: Using a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut out as many stars as possible from the puff pastry sheet. You will need an even number (pairs of stars).
- Prepare Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon of water.
- Assemble Stars:
- Place half of the puff pastry stars on the prepared baking sheet.
- Sprinkle a small amount (about 1/2 teaspoon) of the grated Parmesan cheese in the center of each star on the baking sheet, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Lightly brush the edges of these Parmesan-topped stars with the egg wash.
- Place another puff pastry star directly on top of each cheese-topped star. Gently press the edges together to seal (you can use the tines of a fork for a decorative edge, if desired).
- Finish Tops: Brush the tops of the assembled stars generously with the remaining egg wash. Sprinkle with a little extra grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the stars are puffed up and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the stars from the oven. Sprinkle immediately with chopped fresh chives and a tiny pinch of salt, if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Puff Pastry: Ensure the puff pastry is thawed according to package directions but kept cold for the best puff. All-butter puff pastry often yields the best flavor.
- Parmesan: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for optimal flavor.
- Sealing: Gently pressing the edges helps keep the cheese inside as it melts.
- Egg Wash: Provides a nice golden color and shine.
- Storage: These are best served fresh and warm. Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day. Reheat briefly in an oven or toaster oven to restore crispness.