Indulge your taste buds with these delicious puff pastry asparagus and ham wraps. With minimal prep, five main ingredients and just 25 minutes of baking, you can make a batch of these flaky, cheesy parcels in no time.
An assemble-and-bake recipe
These cheesy ham and asparagus bundles are quick and easy. Nothing needs pre-cooking—not even the asparagus. Simply assemble and bake for straightforward party snacks, a light lunch or a stylish starter.
The puff pastry bakes up buttery, flaky and crisp. Garlic-and-herb cream cheese gives a gentle tang and savory background, while the ham brings a salty, slightly smoky contrast to the fresh crunch of asparagus. A final sprinkle of grated cheese melts into a satisfying, gooey topping.
These wraps are generously sized, with asparagus laid diagonally across each square of pastry—perfect for a starter or light lunch. To serve as canapés, cut the pastry into smaller squares and halve the ham and asparagus before assembling.
Don’t be fooled by how decadent they taste—these ham and cheese asparagus puffs are extremely simple. If you can unroll ready-made puff pastry, you can make these in minutes.
Here’s how to make them:
What you will need
Equipment
Baking tray lined with baking parchment makes for easy cooking and cleanup. A sharp knife will cut the pastry and a silicone pastry brush is handy for the egg wash. If you buy a block of cheese, keep a grater to hand.
Ingredients
This recipe uses five main ingredients (seven if you include the egg and sesame seeds for finishing). The quantities shown make six wraps; double the ingredients to make more.
Puff pastry — shop-bought for speed. If using store-bought pastry, let it come to room temperature briefly before unrolling so it doesn’t crack, but don’t leave it out so long that it becomes too soft to work with.
Ham — sandwich ham works well thanks to its shape; you can substitute prosciutto or serrano for a more refined flavour.
Cream cheese — garlic-and-herb-flavoured portions are convenient. Use about 1 teaspoon per wrap if using a tub.
Asparagus — use fresh spears. Tinned asparagus becomes very soft after baking and won’t give the desired texture.
Grated cheese — mature cheddar works perfectly, but any easily melting cheese is fine.
Egg — beaten, for sealing the pastry and encouraging a golden finish.
Sesame seeds — optional, for a decorative finish.
What to do
Assembly is quick: prepare, fold and bake for 25 minutes until puffed and golden. Step-by-step:
Snap the woody ends off the asparagus by bending each spear; the tough end will break away cleanly. Keep the trimmed ends for stocks or soups.
Unroll the puff pastry and cut it into six roughly equal squares. If starting from a block, roll to about 1/8 inch thickness.
Spread about 1 teaspoon of garlic-and-herb cream cheese diagonally across each square.
Top each cheese-covered square with one slice of ham, folded in half.
Place three asparagus spears inside each slice of ham, arranging two tips one way and the third the opposite way so the filling sits neatly on the pastry.
Sprinkle a little grated cheese over each ham-wrapped bundle.
Brush the corners of the pastry with beaten egg.
Fold the pastry corners over the filling, brush any exposed pastry with egg and optionally sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Place the assembled parcels on a baking sheet lined with baking parchment. If you don’t have parchment, lightly oil the sheet to prevent sticking.
Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C / 400°F for about 25 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and golden. Allow to cool briefly before serving.
Puff pastry asparagus and ham wrap FAQs
Do not freeze the unbaked wraps; the moisture from the asparagus can affect the pastry after thawing. You can freeze the baked wraps in an airtight container for 2–3 weeks. Reheat on a baking sheet in a hot oven for a few minutes to crisp them up—avoid microwaving, which makes the pastry soggy.
Yes. Assemble up to 24 hours ahead, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When ready to bake, add the egg wash and bake as directed.
They’re best eaten the same day, but you can store baked wraps in a covered container overnight and reheat in a hot oven. They’re also enjoyable at room temperature.
Save for later
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Related recipes
If you like these asparagus and ham wraps, you might also enjoy other easy starters and puff-pastry snacks.
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Crispy arancini (Italian rice balls)
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Chicken livers in a creamy red pepper sauce
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Creamy mushroom tarts – with puff pastry
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Cheese and sweetcorn samosas
📋The recipe
Puff pastry asparagus and ham wraps with cheese
Indulge your taste buds with these delicious puff pastry asparagus and ham wraps. With minimal prep, five ingredients and only 25 minutes of cooking time, you can whip up a batch in no time.
Equipment
- Baking tray
- Baking parchment (optional)
- Sharp knife
- Silicone pastry brush
- Cheese grater
Ingredients
- 11 ounces / 320 g roll puff pastry
- 6 slices sandwich ham
- 6 teaspoons garlic and herb cream cheese
- 18 asparagus spears
- 1/4 cup / 30 g cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 small egg, beaten
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Snap off the woody ends of the asparagus spears.
- Unroll the puff pastry and cut into six roughly equal squares. If using a block, roll to about 1/8 inch thickness.
- Spread 1 teaspoon of cream cheese diagonally across each pastry square.
- Place a folded slice of ham on each square.
- Arrange three asparagus spears inside each slice of ham (two tips one way, the third the other).
- Sprinkle a little grated cheese over each bundle.
- Brush pastry corners with beaten egg.
- Fold the corners over to enclose the filling, brush exposed pastry with egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds if using.
- Transfer to a lined baking sheet and bake at 200°C / 400°F for about 25 minutes, until puffed and golden.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Freezing: Freeze only the baked wraps in an airtight container for 2–3 weeks. Reheat briefly in a hot oven to crisp. Avoid microwaving.
Make ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance, cover and refrigerate. Egg wash and bake when ready.
Nutrition
Per serving (approx.): 469 kcal. The nutrition details are approximate and intended as a guide.