Vol au vents are a puff pastry appetizer that sounds fancy but are actually easy to make. These vol-au-vents are filled with cream cheese and herbs for a quick and easy appetizer that can be made in no time!
Make your own garlic, herb, and cheese-filled vol au vents as a canape, finger food, or appetizer for your next party!
A Vol Au Vent is a hollow case of puff pastry that is also known as a patty case. Two circles of puff pastry are cut out and stacked with one hole in the middle. They are then baked and stuffed with filling making them a quick party food that everyone can enjoy.
In this recipe, I use storebought pastry to save on time and to make it easy. The garlic and herb filling is made with simple ingredients like cream cheese, Italian herbs, and bell pepper making it creamy and flavorful.
These beautiful pastry cups come together from start to finish in 30 minutes or less.
Serve them at your next party along with Tomato Onion Salad, Mini Baked Potatoes, or Caponata alla Siciliana served on bruschetta.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
You’ll use storebought pastry which makes the process very simple. No need to spend time in the kitchen rolling out tedious pastry dough!
You can even find pre-cooked vol-au-vent cases in some larger grocery stores.
The filling is made with simple ingredients you can find anywhere and still packs a lot of flavors.
They’re a great appetizer to make when you’re short on time or have unexpected guests coming over.
They are versatile and can be filled with sweet or savory fillings of your choice.
Light in texture, this appetizer will not be too filling for guests.
Ingredients & Tools
- Puff Pastry Shells - Most grocery stores carry premade puff pastry cups in the frozen section which makes this recipe convenient and easy. Otherwise, you'll need puff pastry (homemade or store-bought - I buy mine).
- Cream Cheese - This makes up the creamy base of the filling and has a great texture and tangy flavor.
- Dried Italian Herbs - This mix of herbs pairs perfect with cream cheese.
- Garlic Powder - Infuses a light garlic flavor throughout the filling that’s not overpowering.
- Red Bell Pepper - Adds texture, freshness, and crunch.
- Basil Leaves - The addition of fresh basil gives the filling a beautiful green color and fresh herb flavor.
Step By Step Tutorial
- Roll out the puff pastry, then cut out small 2" circles. Lay half of them onto a baking sheet and brush with beaten egg. Cut out smaller circles from within the remaining circles (to make rings), then lay those over the full circles on the baking sheet. Brush with egg and bake at 400F/200C for 12 minutes or until risen and golden.
>> Alternatively, cook the store bought vol-au-vent pastry cups according to package instructions.
- While the pastry is cooking, stir the herbs and garlic powder into the cream cheese.
- Cut thin strips of bell pepper, then dice into small cubes.
- Allow the vol-au-vent pastry shells to cool slightly, then put the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag to fill the cases.
- Top with a few pieces of bell pepper and a small sprig or slice of basil.
Tips
To make filling the pastry cases easier, use a piping bag or a fill a plastic bag and cut off the tip. You can also use teaspoons to fill the vol au vents.
The pastry needs to be cooled completely before filling as you do not want the cream cheese to melt over the puff pastry.
The filling can be made up to 2 days in advance if stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
If the center of the pastry puffed up in the oven, use a knife to cut them out or push them down to create a hollow space for filling.
Serving Suggestions
Makes great company at a party with this Classic Gin Rickey Cocktail.
Serve next ro a plate of crackers with a bowl of French Onion Dip.
Looks wonderful next to a colorful Fruit Platter.
Variations
Fill them with Vegan Smoked Salmon and cream cheese to serve at brunch.
Add a bit of spice to the filling by using some cayenne pepper with the dry seasonings. Or try using Baharat Spice Blend, Old Bay Seasoning, Everything Bagel Seasoning, or Shawarma Seasoning.
Make them a sweet treat by filling them with Nutella Dip and topping them with fresh fruit.
For a filling that is creamy and light in texture, use sour cream or Greek yogurt in place of the cream cheese.
Storage
Storing: The filling can be stored for 2-3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Do not bake the puffed pastry until you’re ready to serve.
Freezing: This recipe is not freezer friendly as the filling and cooked pastry do not freeze well.
FAQs
It translates to flight in the wind which signifies how light the pastry is.
Most do! For the most part, they can be located in the frozen section along with the frozen desserts and pie crusts.
You can purchase layers of puff pastry and cut them yourself using a round-shaped cookie cutter.
More Appetizers You’ll Enjoy
📖 Recipe
Herb and Cheese Vol au Vents
Equipment
Ingredients
- 24 puff pastry cases/shells
- 14 ounces (400g) cream cheese
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian herbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 red bell pepper
- Basil leaves
Instructions
- Cook the vol-au-vent pastry cups according to package instructions.
- Meanwhile, stir the herbs and garlic powder into the cream cheese.
- Cut thin strips of bell pepper, then cut into small cubes.
- Allow the vol-au-vent cases to cool slightly, then put the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag (or use teaspoons) to fill the cases.
- Top with a few pieces of bell pepper and a small sprig or slice of basil.
- Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Dionne
These were perfect for my next family gathering. I love the size - perfect for grabbing! Used store bought pastry cases so they were soooooooo easy!
Toni
These are really amazing appetizers! So delicious but really easy to make!
Mahy
This is the first time I see these cuties, but definitely not the last one lol. I mean, they look absolutely stunning!
Casey
What a cute and EASY snack and finger food! Looks so fancy but super easy to make!
Natalie
These cheese appetizers look amazing Kate! This will be perfect for my friends' gathering next week, thanks!