Prosciutto Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundles

These puff pastry bundles take less than 30 minutes from start to finish. And if you’re kids are itching for a project, this might be the perfect way for them to help out in the kitchen!

 

How to make Parmesan and Asparagus Bundles:

The best part about this recipe (besides how tasty it is) is how easy it is to make! You’ll unroll your puff pastry sheets and cut right along the seams, no measuring or guessing. Just follow the lines!

Next, you’ll roll out each rectangle just slightly larger.

Then cut each rectangle into 3 rectangles. This will give you 18 rectangles total between the two sheets of puff pastry.

Each rectangle of puff pastry gets a slice of prosciutto folded in half.

Then add a couple spears of asparagus.

And finally a tablespoon of shredded Parmesan cheese.

You’ll wrap the puff pastry into a little bundle.

Brush with egg wash and bake on a parchment-lined sheet pan for about 15 minutes.

Garnish with Kosher salt if desired and enjoy!

Why you’re going to love these little bundles of joy:

• They’re SO easy. Yes, you’ll have to use the rolling pin just a teeny tiny bit and the bundles do take just a bit of time to assemble. But with only 8 ingredients (including salt and pepper!) this is a simple appetizer to throw together for your next family get-together!
• You can make them ahead of time. Who doesn’t love a good make-ahead appetizer, amiright?! Assemble these the day before your party and pop them in the fridge. Bake them up fresh the day of and no one will be the wiser!
• The flavors are AMAZING. The salty prosciutto and Parmesan balance the flaky, buttery puff pastry crust and the crisp, yet tender asparagus just brings the whole dish together.

What is prosciutto? Where can I find it?

Prosciutto is cured Italian ham that is sliced very thin. It is completely cooked through (although the texture may make you think otherwise) and has a salty flavor from the curing process.

Prosciutto can be found at most local grocery stores. It may be near the salami, pancetta and mortadella. Some grocery stores will have a specialty meat and cheese section too that will usually include prosciutto.

What can I substitute for prosciutto?

Thinly sliced deli ham would be a great substitute for prosciutto in this dish. Traditionally sliced deli ham will be a little thick for this delicate dish, but would work in a pinch.

Capicola, which is an Italian cured ham with a bit more spice than prosciutto, would work as well.

Pancetta or bacon would be fine, but make sure you cook it before wrapping it up in the bundles.

Where can I find puff pastry?

You’ll find puff pastry in the freezer section of your local grocery store near the desserts. It comes in sheets or cups – you’ll want the sheets for this recipe. Pepperidge Farm is my go-to brand as it tastes great and is reasonably priced.

What can I substitute for puff pastry?

You could substitute crescent rolls for the puff pastry in this dish if you’re in a pinch. But, I’ve found that the crescent rolls are a bit heavier and greasier than the delicate buttery puff pastry dough, so that is something to keep in mind.

Puff pastry is definitely the way to go if you’re looking for a simple, yet elegant appetizer.

Tips for making the best puff pastry bundles:

• Thaw the puff pastry in the fridge overnight. Puff pastry comes frozen so it will need to be thawed. The fridge is the best place to do this as it will thaw evenly and remain cold the entire time. Some recipes recommend thawing on the counter for 40 minutes which you can do if you’re in a pinch, but it’s best to plan ahead and thaw the night before.
• Puff pastry works best when it’s cold. It’s easier to handle when it’s cold and it bakes up nice and puffy when it’s cold. This means you’ll have to work quickly when making these. I like to keep one sheet of puff pastry in the fridge while I work with the other. Then while I’m baking the first round of bundles, I’ll roll out and assemble the rest.
• Try to handle the puff pastry as little as possible to help it remain as cold as possible. You can even run your hands under cold water (and then dry them off of course) before handling the puff pastry so that your hands don’t warm it up too much. This would be especially helpful if you’re working in a hot kitchen on a warm day.
• If you’re making these puff pastry bundles ahead of time, make them according to the recipe directions, but skip the egg wash. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover them tightly with saran wrap, and refrigerate them immediately. When you’re ready to bake them, remove the saran wrap, brush on the egg wash, and bake them according to the recipe directions.

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This post was originally published in May of 2018. It was updated in June of 2019 to include process shots, detailed instructions, and tips for making the best puff pastry bundles every single time!