CHRISTMAS TREES with PESTO and PARMESAN, 5-minute Christmas appetizer, incredibly tasty recipe perfect for Christmas lunch and festivities, a tasty and simple idea with puff pastry.
I was looking for a cute, simple, and quick idea to bring a Christmas touch to the table, and these were born: Christmas trees with pesto and parmesan with puff pastry, an incredibly tasty Christmas appetizer that can be made in minutes but makes an incredible impression.
Perfect for a holiday aperitif, Christmas lunch, or as a tasty idea for a savory buffet, these small trees are crispy on the outside, fragrant with pesto, and with that touch of melting parmesan that conquers everyone at the first bite.
Puff pastry is a wild card in the kitchen: with a single roll you can prepare many different variations, and the best part is it cooks in just a few minutes. The contrast between the golden pastry, the scent of Genoese pesto, and the strong taste of parmesan makes these savory trees irresistible.
They are so simple that you can even make them with kids, a fun way to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere in the kitchen without stress and with lots of creativity.
You can serve them as Christmas finger food, skewered on wooden sticks or arranged on a serving plate with rosemary sprigs for a scenic effect. And if you want to vary, try with red pesto, speck, ham, or creamy cheeses: every version is a celebration!
Join me in the kitchen today for Christmas trees with pesto and parmesan.
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 roll puff pastry (rectangular)
- 3.5 oz Genoese pesto
- 1 oz grated parmesan
- sliced almonds
Steps
Cut the pastry with a 2.75-inch cutter, pierce with a fork, and bake in the oven at 356°F for about 10-12 minutes or in the fryer at 338°F for 7-8 minutes, flipping them.
Remove from the oven and top with a thin layer of ready pesto, add a sprinkle of parmesan and almond slices.
Add some red currants for color and serve.
Bon appétit
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CHRISTMAS TREES with PESTO and PARMESAN 5-minute Christmas appetizer
Extra tips
Use ready-made rectangular puff pastry so it’s easier to cut and shape the trees.
For a ‘snow’ effect, sprinkle with a bit of parmesan or sesame seeds before baking.
If you want to prepare them in advance, you can bake and reheat them in the oven for a few minutes before serving.
They are also great in mini version as snacks for a Christmas aperitif.
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FAQ CHRISTMAS TREES with PESTO and PARMESAN 5-minute Christmas appetizer
How to store Christmas trees with pesto and parmesan?
Store them in an airtight container for 1-2 days, then heat them for a few minutes in the oven to make them crispy again.
Can I use another cheese instead of parmesan?
Of course! Try with grana, pecorino, or milder cheeses like scamorza or caciocavallo.
Can I make them without pesto?
Yes, you can replace it with a sun-dried tomato cream, olive tapenade, or herb butter for always new variations.
Can they be frozen?
Better not, cooked puff pastry tends to lose its crispiness: prepare only what you need.
Can I substitute puff pastry?
Of course, you can use brisée pastry or ready-made pizza dough.
