Description
These Cheesy Bacon Ranch Puffs are delicious bite-sized appetizers featuring a creamy ranch-flavored cream cheese filling mixed with crispy bacon, all nestled in flaky puff pastry and topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for parties or a savory snack, they bake quickly to golden perfection in under 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 pound bacon, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Ranch seasoning (or to taste)
Dough
- 1 sheet puff pastry (half a package, thawed)
Topping
- 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- Green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Soften Cream Cheese: Set the cream cheese on the counter for at least 30 minutes until softened and easy to mix.
- Cook Bacon: While the cream cheese softens, cook the bacon until crisp. Chop into small pieces if not pre-chopped for easier mixing and bites.
- Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 400°F (205°C) to prepare for baking the puffs.
- Mix Filling: In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cooked and chopped bacon, and ranch seasoning. Stir thoroughly and taste to adjust ranch seasoning as desired.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Unfold the thawed puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Gently flatten it with your hands or a rolling pin until it measures about 10 inches square.
- Cut Dough Squares: Use a pizza cutter to slice the puff pastry into 36 small squares.
- Line Muffin Pan: Spray a mini muffin pan with nonstick spray. Place two puff pastry squares in each muffin cup, offsetting them to create a layered cup shape.
- Fill Puffs: Using two spoons, spoon a generous amount of the cream cheese and bacon mixture into each puff pastry cup.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top of each filled puff.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 9-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and just beginning to brown. Remove and let cool slightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped green onions over the puffs before serving, adding a fresh pop of color and flavor.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is well softened for smooth mixing and easy spooning.
- Using a mini muffin pan helps shape the puffs into perfect bite sizes.
- Ranch seasoning amount can be adjusted to personal taste, starting with 1 teaspoon and adding more if desired.
- These puffs are best served warm but can be made ahead and reheated briefly before serving.
- For a crispier bacon texture, cook bacon in the oven or a skillet until very crisp before chopping.
