Radish & Cucumber Puff Pastry Bites

Radish & Cucumber Puff Pastry Bites come together so quickly they'll become your favorite party appetizer! A great addition to spring parties and brunches.

Disclosure: This post is written in partnership with Dandy® Produce. As always, all opinions here are my own. 

There was a time when I identified "complex" with "good" as far as recipes go. The more steps, pots, pans, ingredients -- the better. {This time period was "B.C."... Before Child.}

I still like getting involved with detailed recipes when I have the time {and patience}, but I've learned that sometimes simple is just as good, if not better, than complicated when it comes to recipes. Especially when you're looking for recipes to round out a menu for entertaining.

Too many times I've found myself scrambling at the last minute trying to pull together a party menu while guests are enjoying themselves, leaving me a frazzled, stress-ball of a mess. And then I had an epiphany: Most people are happy to eat anything they didn't have to make themselves, whether that means a gourmet spread, appetizers that came frozen in a box from the wholesale warehouse or a well-appointed cheese plate that took nothing more than a little arranging on a board.

With that realization, I've opened up a little place in my heart for store bought, shortcut ingredients that help make entertaining both easy and delicious!

Easter may be over, but the next few months will be filled with other springtime celebrations from Mother's Day to birthdays. These Radish & Cucumber Puff Pastry Bites are effortless and eye-popping with minimal work thanks to a handful of store bought helpers.

You can't go wrong with seasonal, fresh produce that naturally shines in recipes, especially when the recipe only contains a handful of ingredients. Dandy® Radishes happen to add a crisp, flavorful element to springtime recipes, but also add instant visual appeal with their ruffle-cut Coins and Ministicks, which means even less work to make dishes picture perfect! Here, they give a burst of color and crunch to these appetizers, lending extra appeal to refreshing cucumber slices, creamy herbed cheese, spicy arugula and a flaky pastry base.

The puff pastry was quickly cookie-cut before baking for decorative flair, then smeared with soft herbed cheese -- two more secret weapon ingredients you should always have on hand for last-minute entertaining! These pretty party bites give the illusion of excessive prep work without the time commitment. {Really crunched for time? Use your favorite buttery crackers as a base. They'll still taste great and save you about 20 minutes of work.}

Ready to entertain? What if I told you there's a chance you could add $100 Visa gift card to your party budget?! Simply head over to and download this FREE ebook to get more Dandy® radish recipes and ideas. You'll be automatically entered to win one of five gift cards!

What are you favorite ways to use seasonal spring produce in your party recipes?

Radish & Cucumber Puff Pastry Bites

The Kitchen Prep

Radish & Cucumber Puff Pastry Bites come together so quickly they’ll become your favorite party appetizer! A great addition to spring parties and brunches.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 25 mins

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 18 bites

Ingredients

  

• 1 box store bought puff pastry
• 1 box herbed cheese such as Boursin
• ½ cup arugula
• 18 slices English cucumber
• 18 Dandy Fresh Radish Coins

Instructions

 

• Prepare a baking pan by lining with a sheet of parchment paper. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Thaw puff pastry dough according to package directions. Unfold and carefully punch out 9 pieces from each sheet of dough using a decorative {or round} cookie cutter.
• Place each piece on prepared baking pan leaving about an inch or so between each piece. Top with another sheet of parchment paper, then place another baking pan on top. {This will keep the puff pastry from rising too high.} Bake for 14-15 minutes or until crisp and golden brown. Remove from baking pan and cool completely.
• When the puff pastry cut outs are cool, spread about a tablespoon of cheese onto each piece. Top with a few leaves of arugula, a slice of cucumber and a radish coin. Skewer with a pick. Serve immediately.