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A savory puff pastry star appetizer featuring creamy ricotta, thin prosciutto slices, and melting mozzarella, perfect for festive occasions.

  • Total Time: 40-45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 round sheet thawed puff pastry (approximately 10–12 inches diameter)
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese (drained if watery) or cream cheese
  • 8 slices thinly sliced prosciutto (or ham/salami as alternatives)
  • 16 small cubes of mozzarella or other melting cheese (fontina, gruyere, or Swiss)
  • 16 small cubes of mozzarella or other melting cheese for inner triangles
  • 16 black or green olives (whole or halved) to secure star points
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk or cream (for brushing)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame or poppy seeds (for sprinkling)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Lay the thawed round puff pastry sheet on parchment paper.
  3. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, make 8 cuts from the edge toward the center, stopping about 2 inches short of the middle.
  4. Rotate the pastry and make 8 more cuts between the first ones, creating 16 points.
  5. Spread 1 cup ricotta cheese evenly over the base of the pastry, leaving a small border around the edges.
  6. Place a folded slice of prosciutto and a cube of melting cheese at the wide end of each large wedge where the point starts.
  7. Gently pull the tips of each large wedge toward the center, covering the filling, and press lightly to seal the edges, forming a star shape.
  8. For the smaller inner triangles, add a small cube of cheese on each, fold their tips outward over the cheese, and secure each point with an olive.
  9. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon dried oregano over the ricotta filling.
  10. Brush the entire pastry with milk or cream for golden color.
  11. Sprinkle sesame or poppy seeds over the top.
  12. Transfer the star on parchment paper to a baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before baking.
  13. Bake for about 25-30 minutes until puffed, golden, and fragrant.
  14. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

Ricotta adds light creaminess; cream cheese offers a richer taste., Thinly sliced cured meats such as prosciutto, ham, or salami can be used., Choose a firm melting cheese that won’t make pastry soggy., Olives help keep star points secured and prevent popping during baking., Milk or cream brushing adds a golden sheen and crispy texture., Chilling assembled pastry before baking ensures puffing and better layers., Make-ahead tip: assemble and refrigerate a few hours ahead; bake fresh., Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the fridge up to 2 days; reheat in oven for crispness., Freeze assembled star flat on parchment paper for longer storage; bake from frozen adding a few extra minutes.

  • Author: Laura
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Cuisine: Italian-inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: Approximately 250 calories per serving
  • Fat: 15g per serving
  • Carbohydrates: 20g per serving
  • Protein: 12g per serving