Quick Puff Pastry Danubio

The quick puff pastry Danubio is a delicious appetizer that combines the convenience of puff pastry with the goodness of an Italian classic. Perfect for those short on time but not wanting to compromise on serving a tasty and scenic dish. The Danubio is a collection of soft filled dough balls, usually stuffed with savory ingredients like cured meats and cheeses, but it can be personalized according to your tastes. The air fryer cooking makes this recipe even faster and lighter, without compromising the crispness and golden color of the pastry.

The air fryer is a revolutionary appliance that allows you to achieve crispy and golden frying using very little oil, making the puff pastry Danubio healthier compared to the traditional version. Additionally, thanks to its fast cooking time, you can prepare the Danubio in reduced time, perfect for unexpected guests or a last-minute appetizer.

Preparing the quick puff pastry Danubio is simple and requires few ingredients: two sheets of puff pastry, filling of your choice (e.g., ham and mozzarella). The result is a fragrant, golden, and inviting Danubio, with a warm and gooey filling that captures you from the first bite. Ideal as an appetizer, finger food, or a standalone dish, the quick puff pastry Danubio is versatile and suitable for any occasion. Try this recipe and let yourself be surprised by its simplicity and irresistible taste!

If you’re looking for other Danubio recipes, don’t miss:

  • Difficulty: Very easy
  • Cost: Very inexpensive
  • Preparation time: 15 Minutes
  • Portions: 20 pieces
  • Cooking methods: Air frying
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Seasonality: All seasons
91.55 Kcal
calories per serving
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  • Energy 91.55 (Kcal)
  • Carbohydrates 5.38 (g) of which sugars 0.11 (g)
  • Proteins 3.05 (g)
  • Fat 6.43 (g) of which saturated 1.88 (g)of which unsaturated 4.24 (g)
  • Fibers 0.17 (g)
  • Sodium 100.90 (mg)

Indicative values for a portion of 17 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.

* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov

Ingredients for Quick Puff Pastry Danubio

  • 1 sheet puff pastry
  • 3.5 oz provola cheese
  • 1.8 oz cooked ham
  • 1 oz grated parmesan

Tools

  • Baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Cookie cutter

How to Make Quick Puff Pastry Danubio

  • To prepare the quick puff pastry Danubio, unroll the puff pastry and use a 2.5-inch diameter cookie cutter to cut out the discs. You will get 20. Do not re-knead the scraps: if you don’t want to throw them away, use them for another recipe, like turnovers.

  • Place a bit of cooked ham and a piece of provola cheese, which you have previously cut, in the center of each disc. Close the balls by pinching the bottoms tightly.

  • Place the balls on a baking pan lined with parchment paper, 8 inches in diameter: they don’t necessarily have to be all touching because they will expand a little during cooking.

  • Bake in a fan oven at 320°F for 20 minutes (the air fryer is also fine) or in a static oven at 356°F for 20 minutes. Remove the baking pan from the oven, sprinkle the balls with grated parmesan, and put them back in the oven for another 2 minutes at 392°F. Serve very hot!

Storage

The quick puff pastry Danubio is best enjoyed hot and fresh. You can consume it within 24 hours, but it won’t be as good as fresh. If you want, you can prepare it and freeze it before baking. You can also prepare it and keep it in the fridge for a few hours before baking.

FAQ

  • Can I use another type of dough instead of puff pastry?

    Yes, you can use shortcrust pastry or savory pie crust as an alternative to puff pastry. The shortcrust pastry will give a crunchier result, while the savory pie crust will be more crumbly.

  • What are some filling suggestions?

    The filling can be customized based on your tastes. Some ideas include:
    Spinach and ricotta
    Salami and provolone
    Sautéed mushrooms and fontina
    Tuna and olives

  • Can I make a sweet Danubio instead of a savory one?

    Absolutely yes! You can transform the Danubio into a sweet version using fillings like:
    Jam and nuts
    Nutella and hazelnut crunch
    Cream and chocolate chips
    Apple and cinnamon

  • Is it possible to prepare the Danubio in advance?

    Yes, you can prepare the filled dough balls and store them in the refrigerator for a few hours before baking. Alternatively, you can freeze them and bake directly from frozen in the air fryer or in the oven, slightly increasing the cooking time.

  • Can I bake the Danubio in the oven instead of the air fryer?

    Yes, you can bake the Danubio in the oven. Preheat the oven to 356°F and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the Danubio is golden and crispy.

  • How can I decorate the Danubio?

    You can decorate the Danubio with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, chopped herbs, or even with grated parmesan. Lightly brush with a little oil or milk before adding the seeds to help them stick better.

  • Is the Danubio suitable for children?

    Yes, the Danubio is generally very well-received by children, especially if filled with simple ingredients that they enjoy, like ham and cheese. You can omit or reduce salt and spices if cooking for the little ones.

  • What can I do if I don’t have an air fryer?

    If you don’t have an air fryer, the Danubio can be easily baked in the oven following the same instructions for temperature and time.

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