Caprese Puff Pastry Bites
These Caprese Puff Pastry Bites marry flaky pastry with homemade walnut-basil pesto, juicy tomato, and melty mozzarella. Finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze and fresh basil, they’re an irresistible appetizer for gatherings or elegant snacking.
Ingredients
For the Homemade Pesto:
- ¼ cup walnuts
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Pinch of pepper
- 3 –4 cloves garlic
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
For the Puff Pastry Bites:
- 1 sheet store-bought puff pastry
- ½ –¾ cup homemade pesto
- 2 –3 Roma tomatoes cut into 9 slices
- 9 slices fresh mozzarella same size as tomatoes
- 9 small basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
- 1 egg + splash of water for egg wash
- Garlic salt & extra parmesan for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make pesto: blend walnuts, salt, and garlic until sandy.
- Add basil and lemon juice, pulse.
- Stream in oil, blend until smooth. Fold in parmesan.
- Roll out puff pastry and cut into 9 squares.
- Add pesto, tomato, and mozzarella to each.
- See full steps with tips & photos → https://p4pd.org/caprese-puff-pastry-bites/
Notes
- Store cooled bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat in a 350°F oven until warm and crisp.
- You can swap walnuts for pine nuts or almonds in the pesto.
- If you’re short on time, swap homemade pesto for ½ cup of your favorite store-bought pesto.