I love using fruit that is in season when baking, it’s fresh, flavorful, juicy and ripe. Living in California I am so lucky to always have a wonderful abundance of fruit, but there are still peak seasons for fruit and that’s when my radar comes out at the markets. Right now most pears are in season and there are so many tasty varieties to choose from. Pears are so underrated for baking with, and I totally love them in my favorite appetizer Pears, Asiago, Pistachios and Cranberries in Golden Brown Puff Pastry I know, you just said to yourself, that sounds good!
What I like about this appetizer is it is so easy to make and you can change up the ingredients. Try apples and pecans with parmesan. Another thing I really like is these pastries are bite-sized, which I think makes them a perfect appetizer; I just don’t like fiddling with messy appetizers that fall apart after one bite or having to get the gooey cheese on my cracker while holding a glass of wine. Do ya know what I mean???
While at the market I grabbed a Bosc and Anjou pear.
- The Bosc pear is the one with the cinnamon-colored skin and a beautiful pear shape. This sweet pear has a firm but juicy texture and is perfect for baking.
- The Anjou pear has that pretty green skin, its texture is soft and juicy and moderately sweet.
All these ingredients can be a stand-alone appetizer by itself and would be so yummy, but we are going to kick this up a notch today and cut everything up.
This is such a simple appetizer to make, you simply roll out the thawed pastry sheet, cut into two rectangles and fill with the chopped pears, shredded cheese, ground pistachios, and cranberries. Next, you simply roll up the pastry like a cinnamon roll, seal the edges and chill in the fridge. So, so simple. You can even keep these in the freezer for a couple of weeks. It’s a good appetizer to have on hand.
After you roll and chill the pastry cut each roll into 1/2″ slices and place on your baking sheet, sprinkle a little sea salt on top and bake for 17-20 minutes. You just want these to turn a warm golden brown.
One bite and you will know why these are my favorite appetizers. The pears and cranberries add some sweetness and the peppered Asiago cheese, and pistachios add the nice savory component to these pinwheels. These are best served warm and they won’t last long.
Let’s get the party started with the recipe.
Pears, Asiago, Pistachios and Cranberries in Golden Brown Puff Pastry
Here is a savory appetizer of pears, asiago cheese, pistachios and cranberries rolled in a buttery puff pastry that bakes up to a flaky golden brown bite-sized pastry. These are such a great little addition to your appetizer boards.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 2/3-3/4 cup pear, chopped
- 1/4 cup Asiago cheese with pepper
- 1/8 cups finely chopped pistachios
- 1/8 cup finely chopped dried cranberries
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tsp sea salt
Instructions
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Unfold the thawed puff pastry and roll into a 10" square. Cut the square to make the sheets 5" x 10".
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Brush each pastry sheet with the beaten egg. On each sheet of pastry divide the pears, Asiago cheese, pistachios, and cranberries and sprinkle on top of the dough. Leave one long side of the pastry plain and brush with the beaten egg.
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Start rolling the pastry over the ingredients into a tight roll. Seal the edge with the beaten egg.
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Wrap the logs in plastic and chill in the refrigerator for an hour. Or at this point, you can freeze these rolls for a month.
After the pastry is chilled, cut into slices. I cut mine into 1/2" slices. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle the tops with salt.
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bake the pastries for 17-20 minutes until lightly golden brown.
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Serve while warm.
Recipe Notes
Trader Joe's carries the peppered Asiago cheese.
Next time you need a tasty appetizer give this recipe a try, you and your guests will love them.
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What a fun way to use a puff pastry!! These flavors sounds SO VERY GOOD together!! I am all over this!!!
This looks like such a good pastry to prepare ahead of time for parties! And I’ve learned something today, I’d never heard of asiago cheese before. I love cooked pears, and this looks like a great flavour combination.
Love these fruity pinwheel bakes with nuts. In Russia we make very similar dessert but we add raisins.
Mmm, raisins with apples for the filling.
Yum. This sounds like the perfect appetizer and I’m with you on keeping those hands free for the wine.
Haha! Wine is important.
Cranberries, pear, and cheese is such a winning combination!
You’re right, pears are so under rated but they are super delicious! These cute little appetizers sound super tasty and they’re beautiful, too!
Thank you for the kind words.