Italian Appetizer Bites

Elevate your next gathering with these irresistible Italian Appetizer Bites! Featuring golden, flaky puff pastry squares stuffed with melty mozzarella, savory pepperoni, juicy cherry tomatoes, and briny black olives, these mini bites are bursting with classic Italian flavors. Topped with fresh basil and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese mixed with fragrant Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and a touch of salt and pepper, they offer a perfect balance of texture and taste. Simple to prepare in just 35 minutes, these delectable hors d'oeuvres are ideal for holiday parties, game day spreads, or any occasion that calls for a crowd-pleasing treat. Serve them warm and watch as they disappear in seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 50/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 2 sheets Puff pastry sheets
• 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 24 pieces Pepperoni slices
• 0.5 cup Black olives, sliced
• 12 pieces Cherry tomatoes, halved
• 12 pieces Fresh basil leaves
• 1 large Egg
• 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

Unroll the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface and cut each sheet into 12 equal squares, yielding 24 squares in total.

Step 3

Place the puff pastry squares onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.

Step 4

In a small bowl, whisk the egg with a fork to create an egg wash. Lightly brush the edges of each puff pastry square with the egg wash.

Step 5

Sprinkle the grated mozzarella cheese evenly onto the center of each square, leaving the edges clear for folding.

Step 6

Next, place a slice of pepperoni on top of the mozzarella for each puff pastry square.

Step 7

Add a small slice of black olive and a cherry tomato half on top of the pepperoni.

Step 8

Tear a fresh basil leaf in half, and place each piece on top of the toppings to add a fragrant herbal layer.

Step 9

In a separate small bowl, mix the grated Parmesan cheese with the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the assembled bites.

Step 10

Carefully fold the corners of each pastry square towards the center, pinching gently to secure the toppings within.

Step 11

Brush the tops of the folded pastries with the remaining egg wash to ensure a golden, shiny finish after baking.

Step 12

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the pastries are puffed and golden brown.

Step 13

Remove from the oven and allow the bites to cool slightly on the baking sheet before serving.

Step 14

Serve warm and enjoy your flavorful Italian appetizer bites!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	574.4 grams (574.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1610

Total Fat 121.70g	156%
Saturated Fat 43.70g	219%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.00g
Cholesterol 395mg	132%
Sodium 4192mg	182%
Total Carbohydrate 73.50g	27%
Dietary Fiber 8.00g	29%
Total Sugars 6.20g
Protein 58.50g	117%

Vitamin D 54IU	269%
Calcium 1017mg	78%
Iron 10mg	53%
Potassium 751mg	16%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 67.5%

Protein: 14.4%

Carbs: 18.1%