Description

These Easy Apricot Jam & Gruyere Cheese Puff Pastry Bites are a perfect appetizer or snack, combining the rich, nutty flavor of Gruyere cheese with sweet apricot jam and a crunchy almond topping. Made with flaky puff pastry squares baked to golden perfection and garnished with fresh thyme and honey, they offer a delightful balance of savory and sweet in each bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Pastry

1 sheet defrosted puff pastry

Filling and Toppings

150–175 g Gruyere cheese, cut into 16 half-inch cubes
3 tbsp apricot jam
3–4 tbsp sliced or chopped almonds
Fresh thyme leaves for garnish
Honey for garnish

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Muffin Tin: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a muffin tin thoroughly with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
Cut Puff Pastry: Roll out the defrosted puff pastry sheet to approximately a 10×10 inch square. Using a pizza slicer or sharp knife, cut the pastry into 16 equal 2.5-inch squares. Since a standard muffin tin has 12 cups, refrigerate 4 squares if baking only one tin, or use two tins to bake all at once.
Assemble Bites: Place one puff pastry square into each muffin cup. On each square, layer one cube of Gruyere cheese, followed by about 1/2 teaspoon of apricot jam, and then sprinkle a pinch of sliced or chopped almonds on top. This layering gives the perfect combination of textures and flavors.
Bake: Bake the assembled bites in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until the puff pastry has puffed up and the edges turn a golden brown color.
Cool and Garnish: Allow the bites to rest in the muffin tin for a few minutes after baking to set. Then carefully remove them to a cooling rack or serving tray. Garnish each bite with fresh thyme leaves and drizzle with honey just before serving to add a fresh herbal note and a touch of sweetness.

Notes

Make sure the puff pastry is fully defrosted before rolling and cutting to ensure flexibility and prevent cracking.
You can substitute almonds with other nuts like pecans or walnuts if preferred.
Use quality apricot jam for the best flavor balance.
These bites are best served warm to enjoy the melted cheese and flaky pastry.
Use two muffin tins if you want to bake all 16 bites at once to save time.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: French-inspired

Keywords: Apricot jam appetizer, puff pastry bites, Gruyere cheese snacks, easy party appetizers, baked cheese bites