These sweet and savory palmiers are a super easy appetizer to make when expecting last minute company! Rolled puff pastry dough filled with a creamy Dijon spread, bacon and spicy cheddar cheese finished with maple syrup! Your guests will rave over these!
These sweet n' spicy palmiers are a delicious puff pastry appetizer that your guests will love! They are made with store-bought puff pastry dough which I always like to keep in my freezer for last minute appetizers.
I spread a creamy dijon sauce onto the puff pastry dough. Then I sprinkled some maple bacon and habanero cheese on top. Easy and packed with flavor!
What Are Palmiers?
Also called pig's ears or elephant ears, palmiers are a French pastry folded into a palm leaf shape. They are made using puff pastry dough and can be filled with a variety of ingredients. Palmiers can also be made into a sweet dessert instead of savoury.
Instructions
Making palmiers is surprisingly easy. To get that distinctive shape, you need to fold your dough a specific way.
Start your palmiers with a rectangular or square sheet of puff pastry dough. Fill the dough with whatever ingredients you prefer, then fold.
Step 1: Fold in half lengthwise.
Step 2: Fold in half again lengthwise again.
Step 3: Refrigerate. This step is important and will help to keep your palmiers in tact.
Step 4: Cut into pieces and lay on baking sheet. The typical width is about ½".
Step 5: Bake until golden brown.
Other Ingredients You Can Use
Puff pastry is so versatile you could really add ANYTHING inside your palmier. Just make sure the flavors go well together! Here are some other substitutions or alternatives you can use:
- Don't have or like bacon? Add ham, prosciutto or chicken instead!
- Vegetarian? Remove the bacon and just add more cheese!
- Add honey instead of maple syrup.
- Use ANY cheese you have on hand! Cheddar, Monterey jack, mozzarella, feta, Parmesan, etc.
- Use seasoning to kick up the flavor! I suggest garlic, onion, cayenne, chili powder, oregano, etc.
- Use fresh herbs inside! I suggest parsley, thyme, dill or cilantro.
You may like these other puff pastry recipes:
Marghetita Pizza With Puff Pastry
Herby Garlic Puff Pastry Pinwheels
Honey Dijon Pigs In A Blanket With Puff Pastry
Maple Pork Bites Wrapped In Bacon
Sweet n' Spicy Bacon Palmiers (with Puff Pastry)
Ingredients
- 1 17-18 oz. Box Refrigerated Puff Pastry Dough (2 sheets)
- 14 oz. Maple Bacon (8-10 strips)
- 8 oz. Spicy Cheddar Cheese (with Habanero or Jalapeno)
- 2 tablespoon Mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon Dijon
- ⅓ Cup Maple Syrup
Instructions
- Cook bacon and chop up into small pieces. (You can do this all at once and very easily in the oven. Add your bacon to a wire rack and bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes.)
- Unfold both sheets of defrosted puff pastry dough and lay onto a nonstick surface like parchment paper or a silicone mat. (It sticks very easily to the counter.) You can do this one sheet at a time if you want.
- Add your Dijon and mayonnaise to a small bowl and mix together. Spread half of the Dijon mayo spread onto each sheet.
- Shred your cheese and top both sheets evenly with the cheese. Crumble your cooked bacon and sprinkle bacon pieces evenly over each sheet. Using a rolling pin or your hands, press down the bacon and cheese into the puff pastry dough so it sticks to the dough.
- Next, time to make the palmier shape! Carefully fold each pastry sheet IN HALF LENGTHWISE. (Take the right and left sides and folding them inward so they meet in the middle.) Repeat again folding the folded part in half lengthwise. Finish by "closing the sandwich". Fold the two folds so they close giving you the 'elephant ears'. (See photo above!)
- Let the folded dough chill in the fridge for at least an hour or overnight.
- Cut each folded dough into ½" slices and lay cut-side down onto a lightly greased or non-stick baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 8-10 minutes.
- When palmiers come out of the oven, brush maple syrup generously onto each palmier. Serve immediately.
Tried the recipe? I'd love to hear your thoughts below!