These delicious Puff Pastry Hearts are the perfect dessert to make for Valentine’s Day or any day for someone special! They’re flaky, golden, customizable, and ready in under 20 minutes. Fill them with hummus, pesto, your favorite sweet spread, or even a mix of both. Whether you want a fun Valentine’s Day recipe or a simple party appetizer, these puff pastry hearts check all the boxes!
Why you’ll love These Puff Pastry Hearts
- Made with store-bought puff pastry to make these super easy!
- They only a few ingredients, but are packed with flavor & super flakey.
- Perfect for Valentine’s Day, bridal showers, or quick snacks
- Can be made savory or sweet
These are truly one of those recipes that look fancy but require minimal effort!
Recipe video
Ingredients You’ll Need
The full recipe is at the bottom of the post, but here’s an overview!
- Puff pastry: Use whatever fits your dietary needs! I’ve had trouble finding a dairy-free/gluten-free option with great ingredients but Sweet Loren’s does have a decent one! Dufour also carries a great regular & gluten-free option with good ingredients, however they’re not dairy-free.
- Hummus (any flavor)
- Pesto (classic basil or any variety): I love using my homemade superfood pesto!
- Optional sweet fillings:
- Nutella: my homemade nutella recipe is delicious!
- Jam
- Almond butter
- Cinnamon sugar butter
- Cookie butter
- Egg wash (1 egg whisked with a splash of water)
Steps to Make Puff Pastry Hearts
The full instructions & measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post! Here’s an overview:
1. Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
2. Cut the Puff Pastry Into Hearts
Lay the sheet of puff pastry out flat. Cut it in half vertically and horizontally – you should have 4 squares. Then cut each square into 4 smaller squares. Use a cookie cutter to cut a heart shape out of the center in half of the squares. Use a fork to poke holes in the remaining halves. Then brush the squares with holes with egg wash. Lastly, place the heart squares on top of the whole squares.
3. Add Your Filling
Place a small spoonful of hummus or pesto inside the hearts. You can also add tiny chopped tomatoes and parmesan.
5. Freeze & Bake!
Pop the tray in the freezer for 10 minutes. Then bake straight from the freezer (I baked mine according to the box instructions. Depending on the puff pastry you use, this could vary!). Just be sure to flip the pan half way through for even browning! When they’re golden, they’re done!
7. Serve Warm
Top with fresh basil. These taste incredible right out of the oven! Serve on a cute board for a fun serving option!
Savory Puff Pastry Heart Filling Ideas
For appetizers, these savory fillings are chef’s kiss:
- Hummus + roasted red peppers
- Sun-dried tomato pesto
- Caramelized onions + goat cheese
- Spinach dip
- Cream cheese + herbs
They make the perfect handheld bite for Valentine’s Day dinner, brunch boards, or girls’ night.
Sweet Puff Pastry Hearts Filling Ideas
If you want to go the dessert route, try these:
- Nutella
- Raspberry jam
- Cinnamon sugar butter
- Lemon curd
- Strawberry compote
- Cookie butter
- Dust with powdered sugar after baking for an extra fancy touch!
Tips for the Flakiest Puff Pastry
- Keep your puff pastry cold for maximum puff! I freeze mine for 10 minutes prior to baking.
- Use a heart cookie cutter for a perfect heart cut-out!
- Don’t use too much filling—you don’t want the filling to ooze out.
- Rotate your baking tray halfway through for even browning
- Serve right away from optimal texture!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can these be made ahead? Yes! Assemble the hearts, place them on a tray, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Can I freeze them? Freeze unbaked hearts on a tray. Once frozen, store in a bag. Bake from frozen—just add 2–3 extra minutes.
More healthy recipes to try
- Healthier caramel corn
- Dill pickle salsa
- Avocado Guacamole Deviled Eggs
- Smashed potato salad
- German potato salad
- Homemade superfood pesto
- Healthy homemade crackers
Puff Pastry Hearts
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry (gluten-free or regular!)
- 1 egg, whisked (for egg wash)
Savory Filling
- hummus (any flavor)
- pesto *I linked my homemade recipe in the notes
- fresh tomato, basil, etc.
Sweet fillings
- nutella *linked my healthy nutella in the notes!
- top with fresh strawberries (after baking)
- jam
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.Lay the sheet of puff pastry out flat. Cut it in half vertically and horizontally – you should have 4 squares. Then cut each square into 4 smaller squares. Use a cookie cutter to cut a heart shape out of the center in half of the squares. Use a fork to poke holes in the remaining halves.
- Then brush the squares with holes with egg wash. Lastly, place the heart squares on top of the holed squares.
- Place a small spoonful of hummus & pesto inside the heart cut out (just don't add too much!). You can also add tiny chopped tomatoes and parmesan.
- Pop the tray in the freezer for 10 minutes. Then bake straight from the freezer (I baked mine according to the box instructions. Depending on the puff pastry you use, this could vary!). Just be sure to flip the pan half way through for even browning! When they're golden, they're done!
- You can top them with some fresh basilThese taste incredible right out of the oven! Serve on a cute board for a fun serving option.
