Okay, if these Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Trees aren't the cutest things you've ever seen (and literally so easy) I don't know what is?! These are the best festive holiday appetizer or main dish that feels fun, cozy, and approachable for kids.
Made with flaky puff pastry, creamy Boursin cheese, and finely chopped veggies, this recipe comes together quickly and is a great way to offer vegetables in a low-pressure, holiday-friendly way. It’s perfect for Christmas parties, Christmas Eve, toddler snack boards, or a fun family appetizer everyone can share.
Why You’ll Love These Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
- festive and fun without being complicated
- soft, flaky texture kids can handle
- includes veggies without pressure
- uses store-bought puff pastry
- egg wash optional (easy to keep egg-free)
- great holiday appetizer for kids and toddlers
Your toddler would also love this veggie-packed sauce to pair with as a fun dip or even pair with veggie meatballs!
Jump to:
- Why You’ll Love These Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
- Ingredients You'll Need
- How To Make Your Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
- Helpful Hint For The Best Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
- Substitutions
- Variations
- Equipment
- Storing Your Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
- Tiff's Dietitian Tip
- FAQ
- Related
- Pairing
- Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Trees (kid-friendly holiday dinner)
Ingredients You'll Need
Here's what you'll need to make these savory puff pastry Christmas trees:
- puff pastry (2 sheets) – creates flaky layers and allows the filling to be sandwiched inside so the Christmas tree holds its shape while baking
- garlic & herb Boursin cheese – a creamy, spreadable base that adds flavor and helps bind the filling in a toddler-friendly way
- broccoli – finely chopped and lightly steamed to soften the texture and add veggies without overwhelming the dish
- carrot – grated for natural sweetness, festive color, and a soft texture once baked
- shredded mozzarella – melts easily, adds a familiar flavor for kids, and helps hold everything together
- olive oil or melted butter – brushed on top to help the pastry bake up golden and crisp
- optional egg wash or milk – helps with browning; milk works well if you need to keep the recipe egg-free
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Your Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Optional to lightly steam broccoli, then finely chop and pat dry. Mix with grated carrot and mozzarella. Roll out puff pastry and spread a thin layer of Boursin down.
- Step 2: Then sprinkle the veggie mixture evenly on top, lay the other puff pastry sheet on top, and cut into long strips (about 1-1½ inches wide).
- Step 3: Starting at one end, gently fold the pastry strip back and forth to form a zig-zag Christmas tree shape, wider at the bottom and tapering toward the top. Secure with food-safe picks if needed.
- Step 4: Place trees on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush with olive oil, melted butter, egg wash, or milk. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until puffed and golden. Remove picks before serving.
Helpful Hint For The Best Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
Keep the filling thin, pat veggies dry, and chill the shaped trees briefly if needed so they bake up flaky and hold their shape.
Substitutions
These savory puff pastry Christmas trees can totally be made gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free if needed!
- puff pastry: gluten-free puff pastry (like Sweet Loren's) works if needed (bake time may vary for different puff pastry)
- Boursin: swap with whipped cream cheese, ricotta, or a dairy-free cream cheese for a milder option
- mozzarella: use mild cheddar, Monterey Jack, or dairy-free shredded cheese
- broccoli: finely chopped spinach, zucchini (squeezed dry), or cauliflower all work well
- carrot: try finely grated sweet potato or butternut squash for a similar texture and sweetness
Variations
Feel free to make veggie swaps or added herbs to make these savory puff pastry Christmas trees your own creation!
- extra protein: mix a few spoonfuls of cottage cheese into the Boursin
- milder flavor: use plain Boursin or whipped cream cheese
- dairy-free: dairy-free cream cheese + skip mozzarella
- more veggies: finely chopped spinach or zucchini (squeezed dry)
Equipment
You’ll need a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, a sharp knife or pizza cutter for slicing the puff pastry into strips, a cutting board, a mixing bowl, and a spoon or spatula for spreading the filling. Food-safe picks or toothpicks are helpful for shaping the Christmas trees and keeping them secure while baking, just be sure to remove them before serving to younger toddlers.
Storing Your Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Trees
These savory puff pastry Christmas trees are best fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat briefly in the oven or air fryer to restore crispness.
Tiff's Dietitian Tip
Holiday foods don’t need to turn into nutrition stress. Fun, festive appetizers like this help kids engage with veggies without being asked to eat them. Remember, exploration builds comfort over time!
What should I pair with the puff pastry Christmas trees?
We loved pairing it with red lentil tomato soup for an iron + fiber + protein boost! Just blend a can of cooked lentils with tomato soup or veggie sauce and enjoy.
FAQ
Yes. Puff pastry is soft and flaky once baked and can be served to toddlers in small, manageable pieces. Always supervise closely and adjust portion size based on your little one's chewing skills.
Absolutely. Simply skip the egg wash and brush the pastry with milk or melted butter before baking. The trees will still puff and turn golden.
These are best served fresh, but you can prep the filling and cut the pastry strips ahead of time. Assemble and bake just before serving for the flakiest texture.
Pat the broccoli dry after steaming and keep the filling layer thin. You can also just add the grated broccoli raw! This helps the pastry bake up crisp and flaky.
Pair with fruit, yogurt, applesauce, or another familiar food. Dips like plain yogurt or cottage cheese can also make this appetizer more engaging for toddlers.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with these savory puff pastry Christmas trees:
Savory Puff Pastry Christmas Trees (kid-friendly holiday dinner)
Equipment
- Pizza Cutter
- scissors to cut broccoli
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry thawed
- 1 wheel garlic & herb Boursin cheese
- ½ cup finely chopped broccoli
- ¼-½ cup finely grated carrot
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella
- olive oil or melted butter
- melted butter or egg wash
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Place one sheet of puff pastry on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread the Boursin evenly over the pastry.
- Option to lightly steam the broccoli just until tender, about 2-3 minutes. Finely chop and pat dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Mix with grated carrot and shredded mozzarella.
- Sprinkle the broccoli, carrot, and mozzarella mixture evenly over the Boursin. Place the second sheet of puff pastry on top and gently press to seal.
- Cut into strips and then fold into Christmas tree form or cut into Christmas trees then press with a fork to seal.
- Brush lightly with olive oil, melted butter, egg wash, or milk. Bake for 16-20 minutes, until puffed and golden. Let cool slightly before serving.
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