Shrimp and Dill Puffs Recipe

Learn how to make these homemade shrimp and dill puffs with buttery, flaky pastry encasing a creamy seafood filling. This easy baking recipe creates the best bite-sized appetizers with foolproof puff pastry and fresh seafood. Perfect for entertaining or special occasions!
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Prep Time:
40 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Serves:
24 puffs
An overhead shot of golden-brown puff pastry bites arranged on a slate serving board, with several cut open to reveal the creamy pink shrimp filling studded with bright green dill. Shot in soft natural light that highlights the flaky, multilayered pastry texture, with a light dusting of sea salt visible on top. In the background, a small bowl of lemon aioli for dipping, a scatter of fresh dill sprigs, and lemon wedges add vibrant color contrast. A glass of chilled white wine sits partially in frame, suggesting the perfect appetizer pairing.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 sheet (320g) all-butter puff pastry, thawed but still cold</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">300g cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined and finely chopped</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">100g cream cheese, softened</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tablespoon lemon zest</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tablespoon lemon juice</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 green onions, finely sliced</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 small garlic clove, minced</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/4 teaspoon black pepper</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/4 teaspoon sea salt</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water (egg wash)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Sea salt flakes for sprinkling</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">5cm (2-inch) round cookie cutter</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Pastry brush</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Baking sheets</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Parchment paper</li></ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Prepare all ingredients before beginning. Pat the chopped shrimp very dry with paper towels - this is crucial as excess moisture will make your pastry soggy. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, chopped shrimp, fresh dill, lemon zest, lemon juice, green onions, minced garlic, black pepper, salt, and cayenne if using. Stir gently until well incorporated, being careful not to mash the shrimp pieces. The acid from the lemon juice helps balance the richness of the cream cheese while brightening the seafood flavor.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>On a lightly floured surface, roll out the cold puff pastry to about 3mm thickness. Working quickly while the pastry is still cold (this preserves the layers that create flakiness), use your round cutter to cut out approximately 48 circles. The cold butter in puff pastry creates steam during baking, which pushes the dough layers apart to create that beautiful flaky texture.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Place half of the pastry circles on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 3cm apart. Spoon a small teaspoon of the shrimp filling into the center of each circle, leaving a 1cm border around the edge. Be careful not to overfill or the filling will leak during baking.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Lightly brush the borders of the filled pastry circles with egg wash. This creates a seal between the pastry layers. Place the remaining pastry circles on top of the filling and gently press the edges to seal, being careful not to trap air bubbles which could cause the puffs to open during baking.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Use the tines of a fork to crimp the edges firmly, creating both a decorative pattern and ensuring a tight seal. Brush the tops with egg wash for a golden, glossy finish, and use a small sharp knife to cut a tiny vent in the top of each puff to allow steam to escape.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Sprinkle the tops with a small amount of sea salt flakes and chill the assembled puffs in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before baking. This resting time allows the gluten in the dough to relax and helps the puffs maintain their shape during baking.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the puffs have risen and turned a beautiful golden brown. The internal temperature should reach at least 74°C (165°F) to ensure food safety with the seafood filling.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Allow the puffs to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack. They're delicious served warm or at room temperature. If not serving immediately, reheat in a 180°C (350°F) oven for 5 minutes to restore crispness.</li></ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Shrimp and Dill Puffs Recipe?

These elegant appetizers combine all-butter puff pastry with a filling of chopped cooked shrimp, cream cheese, fresh dill, lemon zest and juice, green onions, garlic, and seasonings. They're finished with an egg wash and sea salt flakes.

How to cook Shrimp and Dill Puffs Recipe at home?

Learn how to cook Shrimp and Dill Puffs Recipe by combining chopped shrimp with cream cheese and seasonings, then sandwiching between puff pastry circles. Seal the edges, brush with egg wash, and bake at 200°C for 18-20 minutes until golden and flaky. The key is keeping the pastry cold during preparation to achieve maximum rise and flakiness.

Can I make seafood puffs ahead of time for a party?

Yes! You can prepare these puffs up to the point of baking, then freeze them on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to an airtight container for up to 1 month. Bake from frozen, adding 5-7 minutes to the cooking time - perfect for stress-free entertaining.

What can I serve with puff pastry appetisers for a dinner party?

Pair these elegant puffs with complementary items like a lemon aioli dip, a crisp white wine (Sauvignon Blanc works beautifully), a simple green salad, or other finger foods like stuffed mushrooms or crudités. For presentation, serve on a slate board with fresh herbs and lemon wedges.

How do I prevent soggy bottoms when making pastry bites with seafood?

Thoroughly pat the chopped shrimp dry with paper towels before mixing with other ingredients. Avoid overfilling the pastry circles, ensure edges are properly sealed, and don't skip the chilling step before baking. The tiny vent cut in the top allows steam to escape, helping maintain crispness.

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I served these at my dinner party and everyone raved about them!", "name": "Flaky exterior, creamy shrimp inside!", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Akira Tanaka", "datePublished": "2024-05-28", "reviewBody": "I've made many appetizers over the years but these shrimp and dill puffs truly impressed my guests. The instructions were clear and the result was restaurant-quality. The sea salt on top adds the perfect finishing touch.", "name": "Dinner party showstopper every time!", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Sophia Rodriguez", "datePublished": "2024-05-25", "reviewBody": "I couldn't stop making these! The combination of buttery pastry with the creamy shrimp filling is irresistible. I've already made them twice this week and my family keeps asking for more. Definitely worth the effort!", "name": "Made these twice already this week!", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Aiden O'Malley", "datePublished": "2024-05-22", "reviewBody": "These shrimp puffs put my local restaurant's appetizers to shame! I never thought I could make something this sophisticated at home, but the recipe was surprisingly manageable. The chilling step really does make a difference in achieving perfect puffs.", "name": "Better than restaurant appetizers!", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Elena Popović", "datePublished": "2024-05-19", "reviewBody": "The fresh dill in these puffs brings such a wonderful brightness to the shrimp filling. I was worried the flavors might clash, but they complement each other perfectly. Take the time to properly dry the shrimp as suggested - it makes all the difference in the texture!", "name": "Dill complements shrimp perfectly!", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } } ] }
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