Experience the ultimate comfort food with our incredibly delicious bacon and cheese turnovers. These golden, flaky puff pastry pockets, bursting with savory bacon and gooey melted cheese, are truly a delight for the senses. Elevate your culinary experience further by serving them with our irresistible homemade honey mustard sauce – a pairing that will leave your taste buds wanting more!
Looking for the perfect lunch companion? While a classic cauliflower cheese soup makes a wonderful and satisfying meal, we believe we’ve found an even better combination. Imagine pairing a hearty soup with a warm, homemade savory turnover, fresh from the oven!
Forget the usual soup and sandwich combo; let’s upgrade to something truly special. How about a creamy bowl of broccoli soup with smoked gouda alongside a freshly baked, homemade savory turnover? It’s a culinary experience that promises both warmth and indulgence.
The Magic of Homemade Puff Pastry (or Smart Shortcuts!)
The secret to an exceptional turnover lies in the pastry itself. Flaky pastry, especially puff pastry, thrives on freshness. While making puff pastry from scratch can be a rewarding endeavor, it’s also wonderfully convenient to use good quality, ready-rolled pastry. The great news? These delicious turnovers come together in under 30 minutes, proving that gourmet taste doesn’t always require hours in the kitchen.
Using ready-rolled puff pastry is a game-changer for busy cooks. In many regions, like the UK, you can find pre-rolled sheets that are perfectly thin, often around 6cm or 1/4 inch thick. If you’re in the US or elsewhere, always check the thickness of your pastry. If it’s too thick, a quick, gentle roll on a lightly floured surface will bring it to the ideal dimension, ensuring your turnovers bake up light and airy, not dense.
The Irresistible Filling: Bacon and Cheese
At the heart of these pastries lies a classic and undeniably delicious combination: bacon and cheese. This simple yet effective duo creates a filling that’s both comforting and packed with flavor. As the turnovers bake, the bacon crisps gently within, while the cheese melts into a luscious, gooey blanket, encasing the savory meat in a warm embrace.
While bacon is our top recommendation for its smoky depth and texture, you can certainly experiment with other ingredients. If you prefer, high-quality ham can be a delightful substitute, offering a milder, equally satisfying flavor. We’ve tried both, and while ham is good, the distinct crispness and savory punch of bacon truly elevate these turnovers.
Creative Filling Variations to Explore
Beyond the classic, consider adding a touch of green to your savory pastries. Fresh asparagus spears, for example, pair wonderfully with ham and cheese, adding a fresh, slightly earthy note that cuts through the richness. Take inspiration from our delightful Ham and Cheese Asparagus Puffs for a similar concept.
The choice of cheese is also crucial. Cheddar cheese is a fantastic option due to its excellent melting properties and robust flavor, which complements bacon beautifully. However, don’t limit yourself! Any good melting cheese will work splendidly. Consider a sharp Gruyere for a nutty depth, a creamy Monterey Jack for mildness, or even a spicy pepper jack for an extra kick. Whether you use pre-sliced cheese or freshly grated, the goal is that perfect melt that binds the filling together.
And of course, if your sweet tooth is calling, we have you covered! Our delightful Apple Turnovers offer a comforting, sweet alternative, proving the versatility of puff pastry for both savory and sweet treats.
Expert Tips for Perfect Turnovers
- Pastry Perfection: Using ready-rolled puff pastry is a huge time saver and delivers consistently good results. As mentioned, if your pastry isn’t already 1/4 inch thick, gently roll it out on a lightly floured surface.
- Bacon Choice: For these turnovers, we recommend using smoked back bacon. It tends to be less fatty than streaky bacon, which is ideal since puff pastry is already rich with butter. To further manage fat content and ensure a neat fit, feel free to trim any thick strips of fat from the bacon slices and cut them to fit your pastry squares diagonally.
- Cheese Selection: Cheddar melts beautifully and provides a wonderful, sharp flavor. However, feel free to experiment with other good melting cheeses like Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or even a blend of cheeses for added complexity. Both cheese slices or grated cheese work well.
- Secure Sealing is Key: To prevent your delicious filling from leaking out during baking, it’s absolutely crucial to pinch the corners of your turnovers very well. After folding one corner over, brush the tip with beaten egg before folding the opposite corner to overlap. Use the tines of a fork to firmly press and seal the edges all around. This creates a strong bond and keeps the gooey cheese where it belongs.
- The Honey Mustard Difference: While delicious on their own, dipping these warm turnovers into a tangy-sweet honey mustard sauce takes them to an entirely new level. It’s an optional step but highly recommended for an unforgettable flavor experience.
Beyond Turnovers: More Puff Pastry Delights to Try
Puff pastry is an incredibly versatile ingredient, capable of transforming simple fillings into elegant and impressive dishes. Once you master these bacon and cheese turnovers, you’ll want to explore its full potential. Here are some other favorite puff pastry recipes that are sure to inspire your next culinary adventure:
- Chorizo Sausage Rolls: A spicy twist on a British classic, perfect for parties or a hearty snack.
- Puff Pastry Pizza Margherita: A quick and easy way to enjoy pizza with a deliciously flaky crust.
- Salmon en Croute (Salmon Wellington): An elegant dish that looks incredibly impressive but is surprisingly simple to make with puff pastry.
- Caramelised Onion and Boursin Tarts: A sophisticated appetizer or light lunch, marrying sweet caramelized onions with creamy Boursin cheese.
Bacon and Cheese Turnover
Julia Frey of Vikalinka
10 mins
15 mins
25 mins
6
Bacon and cheese, wrapped in golden puff pastry, make an amazing savoury turnover, especially when served with honey mustard sauce.
Ingredients
- 320g/11 oz puff pastry, I used ready rolled
- 6 slices smoked back bacon
- 6 slices cheddar cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
For the Honey Mustard Sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1/2-1 tsp white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 200C/400F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry into a ¼ inch thick rectangle or use as is if using ready-rolled pastry. Then cut into 6 equal size squares. Lay slices of bacon diagonally across each pastry square (trim bacon to fit if necessary, see photos for reference), then top each with a slice of cheese or 2 tablespoons of grated cheese.
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To form the turnover, bring one corner of the puff pastry over the filling. Brush the tip of this folded corner with beaten egg, then fold the opposite corner over, ensuring it overlaps the brushed tip. Press down firmly along the edges with a fork to create a secure seal. Arrange the sealed turnovers on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart. Brush the tops of all pastries with the remaining beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until they are puffed, golden brown, and cooked through.
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While the turnovers are baking, prepare the honey mustard sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, wholegrain mustard, mayonnaise, and white wine vinegar (start with 1/2 tsp and add more to taste) until smooth. Serve the warm turnovers immediately with the prepared honey mustard dipping sauce.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 32g |
Protein: 15g |
Fat: 31g |
Saturated Fat: 10g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 15g |
Trans Fat: 1g |
Cholesterol: 60mg |
Sodium: 598mg |
Potassium: 177mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 6g |
Vitamin A: 217IU |
Vitamin C: 1mg |
Calcium: 153mg |
Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bacon and Cheese Turnovers
Can I prepare these turnovers ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the turnovers, brush them with egg wash, and then refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking. For longer storage, freeze them unbaked on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
What kind of bacon is best?
We recommend smoked back bacon for its leaner profile and rich flavor, which balances well with the buttery puff pastry. If you prefer, streaky bacon can also be used, but you might want to pre-cook it slightly to render some of the fat and achieve a crispier texture within the turnover.
Can I use other cheeses?
Yes, any good melting cheese will work! Monterey Jack, provolone, mozzarella, or even a blend like a cheddar-jack mix would be delicious. Experiment with your favorites to find your perfect flavor combination.
How do I prevent the cheese from leaking out?
The key is a strong seal! Ensure you press the edges firmly with a fork after folding the pastry. The beaten egg wash along the seam also acts as a “glue” to help the pastry stick together during baking.
Can I make these sweet?
While this recipe focuses on savory turnovers, puff pastry is incredibly versatile for sweet fillings too! For a sweet treat, try filling them with apple pie filling, cherry compote, or a mix of cream cheese and fruit preserves. Check out our Apple Turnovers for inspiration.
Conclusion: Your New Favorite Savory Snack Awaits!
These bacon and cheese turnovers are more than just a snack; they’re a versatile, comforting, and utterly delicious creation perfect for any time of day. Whether you’re planning a quick lunch, an elegant appetizer, or a delightful brunch item, their golden, flaky crust and rich, savory filling are sure to impress. With our simple instructions and helpful tips, you’re well on your way to mastering this delightful pastry. Don’t forget that incredible honey mustard sauce for the perfect dipping experience!
So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and prepare to indulge in the crispy, cheesy, bacony goodness that is a homemade savory turnover. We promise, it’s a recipe you’ll revisit again and again!