The savory puff pastry shells are a perfect Christmas appetizer, an elegant and easy-to-make finger food, ideal for aperitifs, buffets, and parties. This version with cocktail sauce, shrimp, and mini mozzarellas is scenic and perfect when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. The shell shape makes them irresistible, while the central pearl turns them into a refined appetizer, suitable for special occasions.
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- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 10 Minutes
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 6Pieces
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Christmas, All Seasons
Ingredients
To prepare the puff pastry shells, you will need:
- 1 sheet puff pastry (rectangular)
- as needed milk
- 3.5 oz shrimp (in brine)
- as needed cocktail sauce
- as needed mini mozzarella balls
Tools
- Molds
Steps
Unroll the puff pastry and fold it in half.
With the help of a shell-shaped cutter (I used a ravioli cutter) cut out the shapes.
Place the shells on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and gently press the top part to define the shape.
Brush with a little milk.
With a knife, without cutting deeply, gently score the surface creating the typical shell lines.
Bake in a static oven at 356°F for 18-20 minutes, until golden brown.
Once baked, let them cool completely, then gently open them with a knife.
At this point, they are ready to be filled: stuff them with a mix of shrimp and cocktail sauce and finish with a mini mozzarella in the center, creating the “pearl” effect.
Advice
Fill the shells only just before serving to keep them crispy.
You can replace the cocktail sauce with cream cheese or ricotta cream.
They are also perfect with smoked salmon or tuna.
If you have leftover puff pastry, turn it into quick savories or desserts: zero waste, maximum yield.
If you can’t use it immediately:
wrap it well in plastic wrap
store in the fridge for up to 24 hours
Storage
The unfilled shells can be stored for 1 day in an airtight container at room temperature.
Once filled, it’s best to consume them the same day.
