Get ready to delight your taste buds with this irresistible Everything Bagel Salmon Cream Puffs Recipe, a perfect bite-sized treat that combines flaky, buttery puff pastry with tangy cream cheese filling, smoky salmon, and the unmistakable crunch and flavor of everything bagel seasoning. These elegant yet easy-to-make appetizers are guaranteed to impress your guests at your next gathering or elevate your everyday snack game with just the right balance of textures and flavors.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create this mouthwatering Everything Bagel Salmon Cream Puffs Recipe, you’ll only need a handful of simple ingredients, each bringing its own magic to the dish. From the creamy tang of cream cheese to the aromatic lemon zest and the savory everything bagel seasoning, these essentials make every bite sing.
- Puff pastry sheet: This provides the flaky, buttery base that puffs up beautifully when baked.
- Flour (for dusting): Helps prevent sticking while rolling out the pastry.
- Everything bagel seasoning: Adds that signature crunchy, savory flavor and texture.
- Cream cheese: The creamy filling heart of the puffs, giving a rich, smooth texture.
- Lemon juice: Brightens the cream cheese with fresh citrus zing.
- Lemon zest: Adds an extra layer of fresh lemon aroma and flavor.
- Salt: Essential for enhancing all those lovely flavors.
- Black pepper: Brings just the right hint of warmth and spice.
- Fresh dill sprigs: Provides a bright, herbaceous note that pairs wonderfully with salmon.
- Large egg: Used for creating the glossy, golden egg wash on the pastry edges.
- Heavy whipping cream: Lightens the egg wash to a perfect consistency.
- Smoked salmon: The star protein in the dish, thinly sliced for delicate ribbons of flavor.
- Capers (optional): Add salty, briny pops that complement the salmon beautifully.
How to Make Everything Bagel Salmon Cream Puffs Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Puff Pastry
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup. If your puff pastry is frozen, allow it to thaw for about 30 minutes at room temperature, or 5 minutes if refrigerated. This resting step is crucial to make rolling out the pastry smooth and effortless.
Step 2: Roll and Cut the Pastry
Lightly dust your work surface with flour to keep the dough from sticking. Unfold the puff pastry and use a rolling pin to gently roll it into a 10 by 12-inch rectangle. Then, cut the dough into twelve to fifteen circles, about 2 ½ inches in diameter. To create a charming raised edge for the filling, use a smaller 1 ½-inch cutter to lightly score a ½-inch border around each circle, being careful not to cut through the pastry completely.
Step 3: Apply Egg Wash and Seasoning
Whisk together the egg and heavy cream until smooth to create a rich egg wash. Brush the outer borders of your pastry circles to help the seasoning stick and produce a lovely golden hue during baking. Generously sprinkle about ½ teaspoon of everything bagel seasoning on each circle’s edges for that iconic crunchy flavor burst.
Step 4: Bake the Puff Pastry
Place your prepared pastry circles on the parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving some space between each. Bake them for 14 to 15 minutes, or until beautifully golden and puffed. Once out of the oven, press the center of each puff gently with the rounded end of a teaspoon to create a well ready to hold the luscious filling.
Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
While the puffs are baking, prepare the creamy filling by blending cream cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, black pepper, and fresh dill in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth and luscious, about 30 to 60 seconds, ensuring every bite will be perfectly flavored and silky.
Step 6: Assemble the Salmon Cream Puffs
Transfer the cream cheese filling to a zip-top bag, snip off one corner, and pipe about one tablespoon of the filling into each pastry well. Next, slice the smoked salmon into thin ½-inch-wide strips. Loosely fold or ruffle each piece into wavy ribbons, then nestle them gently onto the cream cheese, allowing the salmon to cradle the edges beautifully.
Step 7: Garnish and Finish
For the final flourish, top each cream puff with a few capers for a bright salty bite, a small sprig of dill, and a sprinkle of extra lemon zest if you desire. This adds freshness, color, and that perfect zing to complement the smoky richness of the salmon.
How to Serve Everything Bagel Salmon Cream Puffs Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh dill sprigs and lemon zest make perfect garnishes that enhance both the visual appeal and the flavor profile of these cream puffs. Don’t shy away from adding a few capers on top—they bring bursts of briny goodness that elevate the overall taste experience.
Side Dishes
Serve these elegant appetizers alongside a crisp green salad or a light cucumber and radish salad to balance the richness. A chilled glass of sparkling wine or a light white wine pairs wonderfully, making the whole meal feel bright and celebratory.
Creative Ways to Present
Try arranging these salmon cream puffs on a wooden board adorned with lemon wedges, some fresh dill sprigs, and small bowls of capers and extra seasoning for guests to customize their bites. For a party, you can even serve them on small wooden skewers or cocktail picks for easy, elegant handling.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, store the assembled cream puffs in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They are best enjoyed within 24 hours to maintain the crispness of the pastry and freshness of the filling and salmon.
Freezing
While the baked puff pastry shells can be frozen before filling, the assembled salmon cream puffs do not freeze well due to the delicate texture of the smoked salmon and cream cheese filling. Freeze shells separately for up to 2 months and fill fresh when ready to serve.
Reheating
To enjoy pre-baked puff pastry shells, warm them in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes to refresh their flakiness. Avoid reheating filled cream puffs to preserve the creamy texture and fresh flavors of the salmon and filling.
FAQs
Can I use fresh salmon instead of smoked salmon?
For this recipe, smoked salmon is best because of its rich, smoky flavor and delicate texture that pairs beautifully with the cream cheese filling. Fresh salmon lacks the smoke and saltiness and is better cooked separately.
Is there a vegetarian alternative to smoked salmon for this recipe?
If you’re looking for a vegetarian twist, thinly sliced roasted red peppers or marinated carrot lox can mimic the smoky and savory profile while keeping things meatless.
Can I make the cream cheese filling without a food processor?
Absolutely! Use a whisk or hand mixer to blend cream cheese with lemon juice, zest, and herbs until smooth. It might take a little longer, but the texture will still be creamy and delicious.
How do I keep the puff pastry from getting soggy?
Brushing the edges with egg wash before baking and piping the filling only after the pastry has cooled slightly helps maintain crispness. Also, avoid filling too early and serving immediately ensures the best texture balance.
Can I prepare these a day in advance?
You can bake the puff pastry shells a day ahead and store them in an airtight container. Add the filling and salmon just before serving for the freshest flavor and texture.
Final Thoughts
This Everything Bagel Salmon Cream Puffs Recipe is one of those special dishes that feels fancy but is so approachable to make at home. The harmony of flavors and textures will have everyone asking for seconds. I encourage you to try it – it’s a wonderful way to bring a little wow factor to your appetizer lineup or elevate your next brunch with a truly memorable bite.
Print
Everything Bagel Salmon Cream Puffs Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12-15 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Everything Bagel Salmon Cream Puffs are a delightful appetizer featuring flaky puff pastry topped with a creamy lemon-dill cream cheese filling, smoked salmon, and classic everything bagel seasoning. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, these elegant bites are garnished with capers, fresh dill, and lemon zest for a burst of flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Pastry
- 1 puff pastry sheet
- Flour (for dusting)
- 2–3 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream
Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (plus more for serving)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill sprigs (plus more for serving)
Toppings
- 3 ounces smoked salmon (cut into thin slices)
- 2 tablespoons capers (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the pastry.
- Thaw puff pastry: If using refrigerated puff pastry, let it rest for 5 minutes at room temperature; if frozen, allow 30 minutes to thaw before rolling.
- Roll out puff pastry: Lightly dust a cutting board with flour, unfold the puff pastry sheet, and roll it into a 10- x 12-inch rectangle to achieve an even thickness.
- Cut into circles: Use a 2 ½-inch round cookie cutter to cut twelve to fifteen circles from the pastry. With a smaller 1 ½-inch cutter, gently score a ½-inch border around each circle without cutting all the way through, creating a frame on each puff.
- Make egg wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and heavy whipping cream until smooth to create the wash that will help the pastry edges brown and hold seasoning.
- Season circles: Arrange the pastry circles on the baking sheet spaced apart, brush the outer edges with the egg wash, then sprinkle each with about ½ teaspoon of everything bagel seasoning for that signature flavor.
- Bake in oven: Bake the pastry circles at 375°F for 14-15 minutes, or until golden brown and fully cooked. Once out of the oven, gently press the center of each puff with the rounded end of a teaspoon to form a shallow well for the filling.
- Make cream cheese filling: While the pastry bakes, combine the cream cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, black pepper, and fresh dill in a small food processor or blender. Blend until smooth, about 30-60 seconds, ensuring a creamy and flavorful filling.
- Pipe filling: Transfer the cream cheese mixture into a plastic zip-top bag, cut off one corner, and pipe roughly 1 tablespoon of filling into the center of each cooled puff pastry circle.
- Add smoked salmon: Thinly slice the smoked salmon into ½-inch wide strips. Fold or ruffle each piece into a wavy shape and gently place them on top of the cream cheese filling, forming an attractive, delicate arrangement.
- Top and serve: Garnish each cream puff with a few capers, a small sprig of fresh dill, and an extra pinch of lemon zest to enhance freshness and presentation. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can prepare the cream cheese filling ahead and refrigerate, but assemble the puffs just before serving to keep the pastry crisp.
- Capers add a nice briny contrast but are optional; feel free to omit if preferred.
- Ensure puff pastry is properly chilled to achieve the flakiest layers.
- Use freshly grated lemon zest for the brightest citrus flavor.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese and heavy cream with suitable non-dairy alternatives.
