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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Garlic and Cheese Vol au Vents

    Published: Jun 23, 2022 by Kate Hackworthy · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe
    Tray of vol au vents.
    Wooden board of vol au vents.

    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!

    Table with a tray of vol au vents.

    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.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients & Tools 
    • Step By Step Tutorial
    • Tips 
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Variations
    • Storage 
    • FAQs
    • More Appetizers You’ll Enjoy
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    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. 

    Close up of a vol au vent with herb and garlic cream cheese filling.

    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

    1. 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.
    Mixing herb, garlic and cream cheese filling, and cutting peppers.
    1. While the pastry is cooking, stir the herbs and garlic powder into the cream cheese.
    1. Cut thin strips of bell pepper, then dice into small cubes.
    Baking and filling pastry cases.
    1. Allow the vol-au-vent pastry shells to cool slightly, then put the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag to fill the cases.
    Filling and topping the vol au vents.
    1. 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

    What does Vol-au-vent mean in French? 

    It translates to flight in the wind which signifies how light the pastry is.

    Do grocery stores sell pastry cups?

    Most do! For the most part, they can be located in the frozen section along with the frozen desserts and pie crusts. 

    What if I can’t find premade pastry cups?

    You can purchase layers of puff pastry and cut them yourself using a round-shaped cookie cutter.

    More Appetizers You’ll Enjoy

    • Herb and Garlic Stuffed Mushrooms
    • Mini Mexican Street Corn
    • Mac & Cheese Balls
    • Baked Polenta Fries

    📖 Recipe

    Table with a tray of vol au vents.

    Herb and Cheese Vol au Vents

    Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
    These vol-au-vents are filled with cream cheese, garlic, and herbs for an easy appetizer that can be made in no time!
    5 from 7 votes
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    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Appetizer
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24
    Calories 189 kcal

    Equipment

    • Baking sheet
    • Bowl
    • Piping bag

    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

    Calories: 189kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 3gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 111mgPotassium: 48mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 378IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg

    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.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

    More Appetizer Recipes

    • Zucchini and Corn Fritters
    • Zucchini Chips
    • Easy Baked Polenta Fries
    • Broad Bean Salad
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dionne

      July 01, 2022 at 2:32 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    2. Toni

      June 27, 2022 at 2:57 pm

      5 stars
      These are really amazing appetizers! So delicious but really easy to make!

      Reply
    3. Mahy

      June 24, 2022 at 3:27 pm

      5 stars
      This is the first time I see these cuties, but definitely not the last one lol. I mean, they look absolutely stunning!

      Reply
    4. Casey

      June 24, 2022 at 1:42 pm

      5 stars
      What a cute and EASY snack and finger food! Looks so fancy but super easy to make!

      Reply
    5. Natalie

      June 24, 2022 at 11:51 am

      5 stars
      These cheese appetizers look amazing Kate! This will be perfect for my friends' gathering next week, thanks!

      Reply

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    Popular recipes

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    Easter Recipes

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    Check out my Veggie Desserts Cookbook, full of tasty desserts with vegetables!

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