0 from 3 votes
Puff Pastry Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets
Grown-up ham and cheese hot pockets, these homemade ham and cheese croissants are a delicious light dinner or an elevated brunch option!
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Additional Time
5 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 8 pastries
Calories: 536 kcal
Course:
Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner , Brunch
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 (17.3 ounce) package frozen puff pastry (2 sheets), thawed according to package directions
- ¼ cup apricot preserves (substitute with a different flavor jam, such as fig jam or peach jam; or use honey mustard or Dijon mustard for a more zesty, savory taste)
- ½ lb. thinly-sliced deli honey ham or maple ham
- ½ lb. thinly-sliced Swiss cheese (or use cheddar cheese, Brie cheese, or another cheese of choice)
- Egg wash: 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Optional garnish: fresh thyme; drizzle of honey
Instructions
- Position a rack in the lower third of the oven. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Unfold the pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Cut each pastry sheet into 4 squares (about 5 inches each).
- Spread about 1 ½ teaspoons of apricot preserves in the center of each square (do not spread it all of the way to the edges – leave a border). Divide the ham and cheese evenly in the center of each square.
- Fold two opposite corners of each square over the filling to make a pouch; press the edges to seal.
- Transfer the pastries to the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush the crust of each pastry with egg wash. Season with salt and pepper; sprinkle sesame seeds on top of each crust.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes, until the pastries are golden brown. Remove from the baking sheet and cool on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Garnish with fresh thyme and a drizzle of honey, if desired.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Keep the puff pastry very cold so that it stays flaky and puffy (rather than dense) when baked.
- Leave a border around each croissant -- do not spread the jam or mustard all of the way to the edges.
- Place the rack in the lower third of the oven when baking the croissants. This will help the bottoms of the croissants get brown and crisp (rather than soggy), without the top of the hot pockets burning.
- Garnish each hot pocket with fresh herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, basil, or parsley, or a drizzle of honey for a flavorful finishing touch.
- Use deli turkey, roast beef, chicken, or other sliced meat in lieu of the ham.
- Swap out the Swiss cheese and use a different good melting cheese, such as brie, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, Colby, mozzarella cheese, Gouda, Gruyere, American cheese, or regular cheddar cheese.
- Instead of apricot preserves, try peach jam, fig preserves (or fig jam), raspberry or blackberry jam. For a more zesty, savory tart, use honey mustard or Dijon mustard.
- Add thin slices of apple or pear to each hot pocket.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1pastry
Calories
536kcal
(27%)
Carbohydrates
33g
(11%)
Protein
18g
(36%)
Fat
37g
(57%)
Saturated Fat
13g
(65%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
4g
Monounsaturated Fat
18g
Cholesterol
44mg
(15%)
Sodium
545mg
(23%)
Potassium
144mg
(4%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
251IU
(5%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
262mg
(26%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8pastries
Amount Per Serving
Calories 536
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1pastry | |
| Calories | 536kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 33g | 11% |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
| Fat | 37g | 57% |
| Saturated Fat | 13g | 65% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 18g | 90% |
| Cholesterol | 44mg | 15% |
| Sodium | 545mg | 23% |
| Potassium | 144mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 251IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 262mg | 26% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.