Looking for an easy fall appetizer? These Apple Butter and Cheddar Puff Pastry Bites are buttery, flaky, cheesy, and filled with delicious apple butter flavor. With just a handful of ingredients, these bite-sized appetizers come together quickly and are perfect for holiday entertaining, cocktail parties, or an afternoon snack!

Apple Butter and Cheddar Puff Pastry Bites on a plate.

If you’re looking for an easy fall appetizer that’s a little sweet, a little savory, and completely delicious, you’re going to love these Apple Butter and Cheddar Puff Pastry Bites!

As you might know, I’m a big fan of combining sweet and savory flavors, and apple butter with sharp cheddar is such a good pairing. The sweetness of the apple butter works beautifully with the sharpness of the cheese, and a little fresh thyme brings everything together. Add some buttery, flaky puff pastry, and you’ve got yourself one delicious little bite!

What I especially love about this recipe is how simple it is. You only need a handful of ingredients, and once the puff pastry is thawed, everything comes together in minutes. They look a little fancy, but they’re not much work. That’s my kind of recipe!

These are wonderful for fall entertaining, whether you’re hosting a party, having a few friends over for cocktails, or just wanting something a little special to snack on. They’d be a lovely addition to a Thanksgiving appetizer spread.

Let me show you how easy they are to make!

three Apple Butter and Cheddar Puff Pastry Bites served on a plate.

TABLE OF CONTENTS hide

1 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

2 Ingredients

3 How To Make

4 Frequently Asked Questions

5 Can I make these ahead of time?

6 More Fall Appetizers You’ll Love

7 Apple Butter and Cheddar Puff Pastry Bites

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Sweet and savory. The combination of sweet apple butter and sharp cheddar is SO good. Neither flavor overpowers the other, and the fresh thyme adds just the right finishing touch.
Easy to make. Store-bought puff pastry does most of the work here. A little filling, a quick trip to the oven, and you’re finished!
Perfect for fall. Apple butter is one of my favorite ways to bring a little fall flavor into a recipe. These feel especially fitting for this time of year.
Great for entertaining. These little bites look lovely on a serving platter and are easy to pick up and enjoy. No forks or plates required!

Looking for more fall appetizer recipes? You’re in luck; I have a selection of fabulous fall appetizers that do not disappoint.

platter of Apple Butter and Cheddar Puff Pastry Bites.

Ingredients

One of the best things about this recipe is the short ingredient list. There’s nothing complicated here, but everything works together to create something really delicious.

Puff pastry: Store-bought frozen puff pastry makes this recipe incredibly easy. Just be sure to thaw it according to the package directions before getting started. You want it pliable enough to unfold and roll without cracking, but still nice and cold.
Apple butter: This brings that wonderful apple flavor and a little sweetness. Homemade or store-bought apple butter will work beautifully.
Sharp white cheddar cheese: I love sharp cheddar here because its bold flavor balances the sweetness of the apple butter. I recommend shredding your own cheese if possible.
Fresh thyme: Just a little thyme adds a lovely savory, herbal flavor. Also, it makes them look extra pretty when you sprinkle a few leaves over the top before serving.
Egg and water: These get whisked together to create a simple egg wash, which helps the exposed puff pastry turn beautifully golden brown.
Flaky sea salt: This is optional, but I love how a tiny sprinkle of salt finishes everything off and brings out the sweet and savory flavors.

white plate filled with Apple Butter and Cheddar Puff Pastry Bites.

How To Make

These really couldn’t be much easier! You’ll just need a mini muffin pan, your ingredients, and a few minutes to put these Apple Butter and Cheddar Puff Pastry Bites together.

I’ve also included the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below.

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan.
Unfold the thawed puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface. Gently roll it into an approximately 10×15-inch rectangle.
Cut the pastry into 24 equal squares, each measuring approximately 2 1/2 inches.

Gently press one square of pastry into each cup of the prepared mini muffin pan, allowing the corners to extend slightly above the edges.
Spoon about 1 1/2 teaspoons of apple butter into each pastry cup.

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Divide the shredded cheddar evenly among the cups, adding about 1 tablespoon to each.
Sprinkle each bite with a few fresh thyme leaves.

puff pastry squares with cheese in muffin tin.

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Lightly brush the exposed edges of the puff pastry with the egg wash.
Bake for 14 to 17 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Let the bites cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before carefully removing them and transferring them to a serving platter.
Garnish with additional fresh thyme and a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt, if desired. Serve warm.

plate with three Apple Butter and Cheddar Puff Pastry Bites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! You can cut the puff pastry into squares and press them into the muffin pan ahead of time. Keep the pan covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to add the filling and bake.

I recommend waiting to add the apple butter and cheese until shortly before baking so the pastry doesn’t become soggy.

Can I use a different kind of cheese?

Absolutely! Sharp white cheddar is my favorite for this recipe, but regular sharp cheddar works just as well. You could also experiment with Gruyère for something a little different.

Whatever you choose, I recommend using a cheese with enough flavor to stand up to the sweetness of the apple butter.

How do I store leftovers?

If you happen to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

To reheat, place them on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for about five to eight minutes, or until warmed through. The oven will help bring back some of that lovely crispness in the puff pastry.

I would skip the microwave if possible, as it tends to make puff pastry soft rather than flaky.

Apple Butter and Cheddar Puff Pastry Bites on a white plate.

More Fall Appetizers You’ll Love

I love having a few easy appetizer recipes like this in my back pocket, especially during the fall and holiday seasons. Sometimes you want to put out something a little special without spending a ton of time in the kitchen, and these are perfect for that.

If you give these Apple Butter and Cheddar Puff Pastry Bites a try, I’d love to hear what you think. Please leave a comment and 5-star review below. ‘

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Apple Butter and Cheddar Puff Pastry Bites

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: apple butter, cheddar cheese, puff pastry

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 17

Total Time: 37

Servings:

Calories: 103kcal

Ingredients

1 sheet frozen puff pastry thawed
3/4 cup apple butter
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves plus more for garnish
1 large egg
1 tablespoon water
Flaky sea salt optional

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan.
Unfold the thawed puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface. Gently roll it into an approximately 10×15-inch rectangle.
Cut the pastry into 24 equal squares, each measuring approximately 2 1/2 inches.
Gently press one square of pastry into each cup of the prepared mini muffin pan, allowing the corners to extend slightly above the edges.
Spoon about 1 1/2 teaspoons of apple butter into each pastry cup.
Divide the shredded cheddar evenly among the cups, adding about 1 tablespoon to each.
Sprinkle each bite with a few fresh thyme leaves.
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Lightly brush the exposed edges of the puff pastry with the egg wash.
Bake for 14 to 17 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Let the bites cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before carefully removing them and transferring them to a serving platter.
Garnish with additional fresh thyme and a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt, if desired. Serve warm.