If you’re looking for an adorable appetizer or snack for the holidays, then you’ll love these mini puff pastry Christmas trees. I make mine in the air fryer because it’s quick and easy, but you can bake them in the oven too. Fill them with your choice of sweet or savory filling for a tasty treat!
Layers of puff pastry dough are stuffed with sweet or savory fillings, then shaped like a Christmas tree and baked until they’re golden brown and delicious.
I’ll go over both options for fillings, and some additional ideas as well, so you can make them to suit your personal tastes!
While I prefer to cook my mini trees in the air fryer, you can also bake them in the oven. I just use the air fryer since it’s generally quicker, and keeps my oven open for other items on the holiday menu.
These little trees make a perfect festive appetizer or snack during the holidays, and they’re both kid and adult approved, making them great for entertaining!
Ingredients List
1 sheet puff pastry dough (thawed if frozen)
For Savory Filling:
3 Tbsp basil pesto
2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
For Sweet Filling:
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Equipment Note: You will also need some skewers (soaked in water) for this recipe. I use bamboo skewers trimmed to fit in my air fryer, but you can use whatever works for your setup.
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
Alternative sweet fillings include: about ½ cup of Nutella or fruit preserves. You may also add some chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts (about ¼ cup) if you’d like
For savory fillings, you could use tomato pesto instead of basil, spinach and ricotta, caramelized onions and gruyere, or even sliced pepperoni and mozzarella!
Or, cover both sweet and savory with something like fig jam and goat cheese!
Optional toppings could include powdered sugar or icing on the sweet variety, or a cheese star cutout or olive topper on the savory versions
If you’d like to stand your trees upright for serving, use candies such as Rolo to serve as the base, or a block of cheese for savory options
Step By Step Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F, and roll out your puff pastry dough on a flat surface
Spread your chosen filling(s) evenly over the dough, getting it all the way to the edges
Use a pizza cutter (or similar) to cut the dough lengthwise into approximately 1” wide strips (I got about 8 per sheet)
Grab a strip and fold it back and forth in an accordion pattern, getting progressively narrower as you go (to make it look like a tree). I usually do about 3” for the base layer, and then reduce by an inch for each subsequent layer. You want about 4 layers total to give it that tree shape
Poke a skewer through each dough accordion, starting at the bottom and going up through the top (it should stick out at least 1” at the top to allow for expansion)
Place the trees into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, allowing space between them for expansion (feel free to line the baskets with parchment for easier cleanup)
Cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for 10 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown
Add toppings or decorations as desired, and serve warm
Alternate Oven Directions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C)
Place the trees onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper at least 1” apart
Bake for 15 minutes, or until dough is golden brown
Remove to a wire rack to cool
Pairing Suggestions
Beverages
Hot Chocolate: The warmth of hot chocolate beautifully complements the buttery texture of puff pastry trees, creating a delightful sweet contrast. Try my Peppermint RumChata Hot Chocolate for a seasonal treat!
Mulled Wine: The aromatic spices in mulled wine harmonize with the holiday flavors of the pastries, offering a cozy and traditional pairing. My easy Microwave Mulled Wine recipe is the perfect pairing!
Festive Cocktails: Eggnog, gingerbread martinis, or other holiday-themed cocktails add a touch of celebration to the snack time. Try a Peppermint Bark Mimosa or a Cranberry Orange Margarita for seasonal drink options!
Accompaniments
Dips and Sauces: Serve alongside cranberry sauce, ranch dressing, chocolate ganache, or caramel dips for a flavor-enhancing dip option.
Fresh Fruit Platter: A side of fresh fruit like berries, grapes, or apple slices can balance the richness of the pastries.
Recipe FAQs
What Are the Best Fillings for Mini Puff Pastry Christmas Trees?
Popular fillings include Nutella, chocolate ganache, fruit preserves, almond paste, or a mix of chopped nuts and sugar.
Experiment with different flavors to suit your preferences.
Can I Prepare Mini Puff Pastry Christmas Trees in Advance?
Absolutely! You can assemble the trees and refrigerate them on baking sheets covered with plastic wrap up to 24 hours in advance.
Bake them right before serving for a freshly baked experience.
How Do I Store Leftover Mini Puff Pastry Christmas Trees?
Store the cooled pastries in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.
For longer freshness, refrigerate them for up to a week.
Can I Freeze Mini Puff Pastry Christmas Trees Before Baking?
Yes, you can freeze unbaked assembled trees on a baking sheet until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag.
Bake directly from frozen, adjusting the baking time as needed. Usually, this is about 2 extra minutes in the air fryer, and you may need to flip them once to help with excess moisture.
What Are Some Alternative Decorations for Mini Puff Pastry Christmas Trees?
Aside from the traditional icing, consider using colored sugar, crushed candy canes, or edible glitter for a festive touch.
You can also add a “tree topper” in the form of cheese cut like a star or an olive. For sweet trees, try a marshmallow, fruit cut into a star shape, or some excess dough shaped and baked.
Can I Make Gluten-Free Versions of These Treats?
Yes, opt for gluten-free puff pastry to make these treats gluten free. Ensure that your chosen fillings and decorations are also marked as gluten free.
Note that the texture and baking time may vary slightly with different products, so check frequently during cooking to ensure you can adjust accordingly.
Recipe Pro Tips
I highly recommend leaving the skewers in after cooking. While they will be structurally set, it tends to make them look less like trees if you remove them
Make sure to wrap the layers tightly to form a nice tree shape. I’ve had to re-wrap some of mine because they look more like pancakes than trees, so don’t be afraid to re-do it!
You can also double the puff pastry and sandwich the filling in between two layers if preferred. It’s less messy this way as everything is sealed in, but I personally find the dough to filling ratio is “off” in this scenario. This method is nice, though, if you plan to use shredded cheese, to keep it in place
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store cooled pastry trees in an airtight container or ziploc bag at room temperature for 2-3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week
They are delicious at room temperature, but if you’d like to reheat them (especially if you refrigerated them), just air fry at 325°F for 2-3 minutes, until warmed and re-crisped
These super adorable mini puff pastry Christmas trees are the perfect snack or appetizer for your holidays. You can even prep them up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate them, and cook them when you’re ready to munch. I love convenient options!
Fill them with either sweet or savory fillings (or offer both)! I’m a big fan of the cinnamon sugar filling, but honestly they’re all delicious!
The air fryer does a great job of turning these pastry trees out quickly, taking just 10 minutes to cook a batch. That saves you time compared to the oven, as well as keeping it open for Christmas dinner. However, they come out great in the oven too, so it’s your call!
Mini Puff Pastry Christmas Trees (Air Fryer or Oven)
These mini puff pastry Christmas trees are the perfect appetizer or snack for the holiday season. Bake them in the air fryer or oven for a sweet or savory treat!
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F, and roll out your puff pastry dough on a flat surface
13 Ounce puff pastry sheet
Spread your chosen filling(s) evenly over the dough, getting it all the way to the edges
3 Tbsp prepared basil pesto, 2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese, ¼ Cup brown sugar, 1 Tsp cinnamon
Use a pizza cutter (or similar) to cut the dough lengthwise into approximately 1” wide strips (I got 8 per sheet)
Grab a strip and fold it back and forth in an accordion pattern, getting progressively narrower as you go (to make it look like a tree). I usually do about 3” for the base layer, and then reduce by an inch for each subsequent layer. You want about 4 layers total to give it that tree shape
Poke a skewer through each dough accordion, starting at the bottom and going up through the top (it should stick out at least 1” at the top to allow for expansion)
Place the trees into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, allowing space between them for expansion (feel free to line the baskets with parchment for easier cleanup)
Cook on the air fry setting at 350°F for 10 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown
Add toppings or decorations as desired, and serve warm
Alternate Oven Directions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C)
Place the trees onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper at least 1” apart
Bake for 15 minutes, or until dough is golden brown
Remove to a wire rack to cool
Notes
Alternative sweet fillings include: about ½ cup of Nutella or fruit preserves. You may also add some chopped nuts, such as pecans or walnuts (about ¼ cup) if you’d like
For savory fillings, you could use tomato pesto instead of basil, spinach and ricotta, caramelized onions and gruyere, or even sliced pepperoni and mozzarella!
Or, cover both sweet and savory with something like fig jam and goat cheese!
Optional toppings could include powdered sugar or icing on the sweet variety, or a cheese star cutout or olive topper on the savory versions
If you’d like to stand your trees upright for serving, use candies such as Rolo to serve as the base, or a block of cheese for savory options
I highly recommend leaving the skewers in after cooking. While they will be structurally set, it tends to make them look less like trees if you remove them
You can also double the puff pastry and sandwich the filling in between two layers if preferred. It’s less messy this way as everything is sealed in, but I personally find the dough to filling ratio is “off” in this scenario. This method is nice, though, if you plan to use shredded cheese, to keep it in place
Store cooled pastry trees in an airtight container or ziploc bag at room temperature for 2-3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week
They are delicious at room temperature, but if you’d like to reheat them (especially if you refrigerated them), just air fry at 325°F for 2-3 minutes, until warmed and re-crisped
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, chosen filling (I used savory here), any sauces or toppings added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
