Cheesy Apple Bacon Bundles are a mouthwatering appetizer that strikes the perfect balance of rich cheesiness, subtle sweetness, a touch of saltiness, and a burst of tang, all wrapped up in golden puff pastry.
These apple bacon cheese puff pastry bites are the ideal finger food for game days, cocktail parties, and holiday get-togethers.
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Quick and Easy Fall Appetizers
I love fall! Not only for the cooler temps and changing leaves but it's time for football and easy fall appetizers! And these apple bacon bundles are the ultimate party starter - seriously delicious and totally addictive! These little bites are like a flavor explosion in your mouth. Imagine crisp, sweet apple slices getting cozy with smoky bacon and gooey cheese, all tucked inside a warm, flaky puff pastry blanket. It's like a flavor party that's happening in your hands!
And I don't mess around when it comes to my appetizers. Whether it's game time, casual get-togethers, or holiday parties these savory bacon bundles are sure to be a hit.
However, each appetizer I make has to fulfill a few important requirements. One, they've got to be easy to prepare, two, they've got to be easy to eat with one hand and third, they have to be hearty enough for the biggest fan's appetite.
My Puff Pastry Pizza Twists, Pizza Pockets with Biscuits, and Meatball Sliders have proven that they check off every box and, luckily, these cheesy Apple Bacon Cheese Puff Pastry Bites have joined the team!
Why You'll Love These Apple Bacon Cheese Puff Pastry Bites
You can hold these puff pastry bites in one hand - the perfect party food!
Plenty of cheesy taste with fontina, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
This flaky pastry is light and holds in all the salty bacon, crispy apple, and melty cheese.
They're easy to make with simple ingredients.
Great for any and all get-togethers and the perfect last minute appetizer.
Ingredients
- Puff Pastry - store-bought puff pastry is best as it makes this recipe quick and easy. Thaw before using.
- Bacon - Cook the bacon slices in the oven at 400°F for 20-30 minutes.
- Mustard - store-bought or try this easy to make Homemade Mustard
- Fontina cheese - adds a buttery flavor and melts well
- Mozzarella cheese - melts extremely well and puts the ooey in gooey!
- Apple - Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Jonagold are best (see how to choose the perfect apple)
- Egg - for browning as well as helping the bundle stay together while baking
- Parmesan cheese - adds a sharp tang along with its cheesy flavor
How to Make Cheesy Apple Bacon Bundles
- Thaw a sheet of puff pastry then cut the puff pastry sheet into 9 squares. I used a pizza cutter and it worked perfectly.
- Brush the pastry with mustard using a pastry brush.
- Place puff pastry squares on a silicone mat or a large baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. Layer the squares with fontina cheese, a fresh apple slice (use a mandolin or a very sharp knife to get a very thin slice so you can easily fold the pastry), crumbled salty bacon pieces (make it even easier and buy a package of bacon bits), and shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Brush egg wash (made of a whisked egg and a teaspoon of water) on 2 corners of the puff pastry dough and fold the corners over the ingredients.
- Brush the top of the puff pastry bundle with more egg wash. This wash not only helps it brown nicely but also helps hold the bundle together as it cooks.
- Sprinkle the top of each of the puff pastry bites with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake at 400°F for 16-18 minutes or until golden brown.
Serve warm with an extra bowl of mustard for dipping. The subtle heat that the mustard brings to these puff pastry appetizers enhances all the flavors making it the perfect combination. You won't want to do without it.
Now, take a bite of this warm, delicious appetizer. Flaky, oozing with cheese, tangy from the mustard, OK you get the picture. It's definitely end-zone dance material!
So if you want to kick up your appetizer game and have your guests raving, give these Apple Bacon Bundles a shot - they're like a flavor-packed high-five for your taste buds!
Best Apples for Bacon & Apple Puff Pockets
The best apple to use that pairs well with the bacon and the cheese is a sweeter apple that will hold its texture while baking. I like to use Honeycrisp apples as they seem to retain their crispness best. I've tried this recipe with a tart apple, like Granny Smith, and the tartness overshadows the bacon and cheese flavors.
Variations
- Cheese: change out the fontina and mozzarella for a sharp cheddar cheese.
- Apple: Mix it up a little, add a pear for a milder flavor, and omit the mustard. A dab of fig jam is a tasty option.
- Bacon: Try using leftover baked ham or even spicy pepperoni.
How to Store, Freeze and Reheat Leftovers
These cheesy bundles are best made right before serving or earlier on the day of serving. Puff pastry tends to absorb moisture from the filling and can become soggy.
To Store: Place leftover apple bacon bundles in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
To Freeze: Once cool, place in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag and freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight prior to reheating. They will keep 2-3 months.
To reheat: Place the puff pastry bites on a cookie sheet and reheat in a 425°F oven for 5-10 minutes or until warmed through.
More Appetizers for the Season
Pigs in a Blanket Wreath brings a touch of the holidays to a classic favorite.
Air Fryer Pizza Bites are quick and easy with all the flavors of your favorite pizza in bite-sized form.
Crispy Baked Chicken Wontons are an easy-to-make finger food filled with chicken & vegetables and baked to a crispy finish.
Cream Cheese Caramel Apple Dip is a little bit sweet and a little bit savory.
Find more easy appetizer recipes here on 2CM!
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Bacon Apple Cheese Bundles
Ingredients
- 1 package puff pastry thawed
- 9 slices bacon cooked & crumbled
- 4 teaspoons Colman's Prepared Mustard
- 8 ounces Fontina cheese shredded
- 6-8 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 large apple sliced very thin then halved
- 1 egg beaten
- Garnish: Parmesan cheese grated (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Unfold thawed puff pastry sheets.
- Cut sheets along fold then each rectangle into thirds to make 9 squares from each sheet. I use a pizza cutter which works extremely well.
- Spread about ¼ teaspoon mustard on each square of puff pastry. You can put on more or less depending on your tastes.
- Place a little fontina cheese on top of the mustard, followed by a half slice of apple. I used a mandolin to slice mine as it slices it evenly and the perfect thickness.
- Sprinkle with crumbled bacon (about ½ slice of bacon per bundle) and top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Note: Make sure that the bundles are not overfilled as it will cause the puff pastry to open and lay flat when baked.
- Whisk egg with about 1 teaspoon of water to use as an egg wash. This will also aid in keeping the bundle together.
- Bring 2 opposite sides of the bundle up over the top of the filling, dab with a little egg wash, then press them lightly together. I bring the edges that are opposite from the points of the apple. Continue with the remaining bundles.
- Move bundles to prepared baking sheets. I usually put 9 on each sheet.
- Brush all the bundles with more egg wash. This will create a nice glossy golden brown finish once baked. Finish with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan, if desired.
- Place in the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes before plating the appetizers for guests.
- Serve with additional mustard for dipping.
Notes
Nutrition
This post has been updated with new photos and more helpful information. It was first published on October 11, 2018.
