These puff pastry ham and cheese turnovers are a true fix for hectic mornings: little effort, plenty of flavor. Crisp, shattering pastry, gooey cheese, and a juicy savory filling turn an ordinary breakfast into something worth lingering over. Serve them with coffee or a softly set omelet for a hearty, elegant start to the day.
Ingredients
- All-purpose puff pastry — 400 g (14 oz)
- Ham — 150 g (5 oz)
- Hard cheese — 120 g (4 oz)
- Egg, for brushing — 1
- Whole grain mustard — 1 tsp (optional)
- Fresh herbs — 10 g (optional)
- Sesame seeds — 1 tbsp (optional)
- Ground black pepper — a pinch
How to make it
- Thaw the puff pastry according to the package instructions. Preheat the oven to 200 °C (392 °F) and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- For the filling: grate the cheese on the coarse side of a box grater and cut the ham into small cubes. Mix with the mustard and chopped herbs, then season lightly with pepper.
- Roll the pastry to about 2–3 mm thick and cut into 10–12 cm squares.
- Spoon 1–1.5 tbsp of filling into the center of each square. Fold into turnovers and pinch the edges tightly to seal.
- Transfer the turnovers to the baking sheet, brush with beaten egg, and sprinkle with sesame seeds if using.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, until deeply golden and crisp.
- Let rest for 3–5 minutes, then serve hot.
Nutritional value per serving
| Calories | 380 kcal |
| Protein | 15 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Carbohydrates | 26 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
📹 Watch the video recipe on our Telegram channel: @alwaysyummy
Tips and variations
- Ham-free filling: use sautéed mushrooms, spinach with feta, or shredded mozzarella with sun-dried tomatoes.
- Cheese: choose good melting cheeses such as gouda, emmental, or mozzarella; for extra depth, add a pinch of Parmesan.
- For deeper browning, brush with a mixture of egg and 1 tbsp milk.
- Freezing: assemble the turnovers and freeze them in a single layer; bake from frozen, adding 3–5 minutes to the baking time at 200 °C (392 °F).
- Serving: they pair beautifully with yogurt sauce, tomato salsa, or sour cream with dill.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace the ham with something else?
Yes — cooked chicken, turkey, sautéed mushrooms, spinach with feta, or even cream cheese all work well. The key is to keep the filling from being too wet.
How do I bake them in an air fryer?
Cook at 180 °C (356 °F) for 10–12 minutes, until golden brown. Arrange the turnovers in a single layer and check for doneness around the 10-minute mark.
Can I assemble the turnovers ahead of time?
Yes — keep the uncooked turnovers in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours, covered with plastic wrap. For longer storage, freeze them and bake without thawing.