5 Last Minute Italian Appetizers You Can Make In Under 20 Minutes (VIDEO)

Are you looking for some last minute Italian appetizers that will wow your guests? I’m going to show you how to make 5 easy appetizers under 20 minutes using store-bought puff pastry. They’re so simple and so delicious, they’ll be gone in no time!

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Entertaining guests can be a daunting task, but with a little creativity and some store-bought puff pastry, you can whip up a delectable array of Italian-inspired appetizers that are sure to impress. Today, we’ll explore 5 mouthwatering recipes that are not only easy to prepare, but also bursting with authentic Italian flavors.

Puff pastry, often perceived as a culinary challenge, is a versatile ingredient that can transform even the simplest ingredients into elegant and irresistible treats. With just a few pantry staples and under 20 minutes of your time, you’ll have a spread of appetizers that will have your guests clamoring for more.

So, let’s preheat the oven and embark on this culinary adventure, where simplicity meets sophistication, and store-bought puff pastry becomes the canvas for a delightful array of Italian-inspired appetizers.

NOTE — Do you prefer to use homemade puff pastry? Check out my recipe on how to make homemade puff pastry without a stand mixer.

1. Salmon Cannoli

Imagine the flaky, buttery goodness of ready-made puff pastry, expertly crafted into miniature cannoli shells. These little bites of heaven are filled to the brim with a decadent combination of velvety smooth Philadelphia cream cheese and the rich, smoky flavors of succulent smoked salmon. And to take things to the next level, we’ve added a sprinkle of freshly chopped chives, adding a burst of vibrant flavor and aroma. These mini puff pastry cannoli are the ultimate crowd-pleasers, perfect for any occasion where you want to impress your guests with a sophisticated yet effortless appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 1 puff pastry sheet, about g 300 (rectangular or round) (about 11 oz)
• Olive oil
• 1 egg
• 50 g Smoked Salmon (2 oz)
• 250 g Philadelphia cream cheese (8 oz)
• Chives to taste

Instructions:

To prepare Puff Pastry Salmon Rolls, start by making the cannoli. Roll out the puff pastry on a work surface, flatten it slightly with a rolling pin, and cut it into about ten strips, each around 2 cm (1 inch) wide. Grease some cannoli cylinders with olive oil and wrap each one with a strip of puff pastry. Place the cannoli on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, brush them with beaten egg and bake in the preheated oven at 220 °C (428 °F) for 10 minutes.

PRO TIP — If you don’t want to use cannoli cylinders, you can use pieces of bamboo cane like I do. Watch this video to see how to make cannoli with bamboo cane.

Once the Cannoli are baked, remove them from the oven and let cool. Meanwhile, cut the salmon into strips and mix chopped chives with the Philadelphia, working it with a spoon until you obtain a creamy mixture. Gently remove the cannoli from cylinders, being careful not to break the cannons. One by one, using a piping bag or a teaspoon, add the Philadelphia cheese into the cannoli without overfilling. Very gently, add a few strips of smoked salmon to each cannoli and garnish with fresh chopped chives.

2. Pesto and Fresh Tomato Mini Cups

These are delightfully crisp and flaky puff pastry cups, bursting with the vibrant flavors of basil-infused pesto and fresh, juicy diced tomatoes. It’s like a little taste of Italy in every bite! And the best part? They’re incredibly easy to whip up, thanks to the convenience of store-bought puff pastry. No need to spend hours in the kitchen – these appetizers come together in a snap, making them the perfect addition to any party or gathering.

Ingredients:

• 1 puff pastry sheet, about g 300 (rectangular or round) (about 11 oz)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• 3–4 tablespoons basil pesto
• 3–4 tablespoons diced cherry tomatoes
• A pinch of salt

Instructions:

Roll out the puff pastry and divide it into squares of about 10 cm per side using a pizza cutter. Place the puff pastry squares inside a muffin tin or simply in paper cupcake liners. Prick the bottom of the puff pastry with the tines of a fork so it does not rise too much during baking. Brush the surface of the puff pastry with egg yolk.

Bake in the oven at 180 °C (356 °F) for approximately 10–15 minutes, or until the puff pastry is well browned. Allow the baskets to cool, then gently press down on the bottom with your fingers. Fill each basket with a spoonful of pesto and a few cubed pieces of tomato.

3. Ham Breadsticks

Imagine flaky, buttery layers of pastry enveloping savory ribbons of mouthwatering Parma ham – it’s a match made in culinary heaven! These breadsticks are the ultimate crowd-pleasers, perfect for any gathering or just for satisfying those intense Italian cravings. The best part? They come together in a flash, so you can whip up a batch of these irresistible treats in no time. Get ready to be transported to the streets of Italy with every bite of these Parma ham puff pastry breadsticks!

Ingredients:

• 1 puff pastry sheet, about g 300 (rectangular or round) (about 11 oz)
• 100 g Parma ham (3.5 oz)
• 1 Egg

Instructions:

To prepare Puff Pastry Breadsticks with Ham, start by unrolling the puff pastry and cutting it into thin strips (about 2 cm or 1 inch). Cut the ham into strips as well, then proceed to roll it onto the puff pastry strips, creating spirals. Arrange the breadsticks well-spaced apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. In a small bowl, beat the egg yolk and brush the surface of the breadsticks.

Bake the ham breadsticks in a preheated oven at 220 °C (428 °F) and cook for about 10–15 minutes, until golden brown. Once baked, remove the puff pastry breadsticks with ham from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack before serving.

4. Ham and Cheese Swivels

Picture this: flaky, buttery puff pastry swirled around savory ham and gooey, melted cheese — it’s a match made in appetizer heaven! These little bites are incredibly simple to whip up, thanks to the convenience of store-bought puff pastry.

They’re perfect for snacking, dipping in marinara sauce, or even enjoying as a quick lunch on the go. Plus, they’re so easy to customize with different cheese and meat combinations – the possibilities are endless!

Ingredients:

• 1 puff pastry sheet, about g 300 (rectangular or round) (about 11 oz)
• 130 g thinly sliced ham (4.5 oz)
• 100 g cheese (Cheddar, Asiago, Fontina, etc…) (3.5 oz)

Instructions:

First, take the puff pastry and unroll it onto a flat surface. Arrange slices of prosciutto over the entire surface of the pastry, covering it completely. Next, take grated cheese and sprinkle it generously over the prosciutto slices. Once the filling ingredients are distributed, carefully roll up the pastry lengthwise into a tight cylinder, enclosing the prosciutto and cheese inside. As you roll, use your hands to gently press from the inside of the roll outwards. This will help distribute the filling evenly throughout the cylinder.

After rolling up the pastry, use a sharp knife to cut the cylinder into slices approximately 1.5 cm thick. Line up the slices on a baking sheet. Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F). Once heated, place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for around 20 minutes until golden brown. Finally, remove the baked pastry rolls from the oven using oven mitts. Transfer them to a wire rack or plate and allow them to cool slightly before serving.

5. Puff Pastry Mini Pizzas

Made with the convenience of ready-made puff pastry, these puff pastry mini pizzas are an absolute game-changer. Imagine biting into a crispy, flaky crust topped with tantalizing Italian flavors – a burst of tomato sauce, melted cheese, and your favorite toppings. These bite-sized delights are perfect for entertaining, game nights, or whenever you need a quick and satisfying snack. The best part? You can customize them to your heart’s content, making them as simple or as loaded as you desire. With minimal effort and maximum taste, these puff pastry mini pizzas are sure to become a new favorite in your household.

Ingredients:

• 1 puff pastry sheet, about g 300 (rectangular or round) (about 11 oz)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• 3–4 tablespoons tomato paste
• 50 g mozzarella (1.8 oz)
• Green olives
• Diced salami

Instructions:

Unroll the puff pastry and cut out circles 5-6 cm in diameter using a glass or a cookie cutter. Arrange the circles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the small pizzas with a drizzle of oil, then add a half teaspoon of tomato paste. Bake in a hot oven at 200°C (392°F) for 10 minutes.

Remove your soft pizza bites from the oven and top with mozzarella cheese, olives, and/or salami slices. Return to the oven for another 5 minutes to melt the cheese.

Watch the Video Recipe of These 5 Last Minute Italian Appetizers