How to make bacon and cheese turnovers
If you’re in the mood for a delicious and satisfying treat, look no further than bacon and cheese turnovers. These flaky pastries are filled with a tasty combination of crispy bacon and melted cheese, making them the perfect indulgence for any time of day.
Whether you’re hosting a brunch with friends or simply want to enjoy a savory snack, making bacon and cheese turnovers is easier than you might think. With just a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking skills, you can whip up a batch of these mouthwatering treats in no time.
The key to the perfect bacon and cheese turnover lies in the quality of the ingredients. Look for thick-cut bacon that’s been smoked for maximum flavor. As for the cheese, opt for a variety that melts well, such as cheddar or mozzarella.
To start, you’ll need to cook the bacon until it’s nice and crispy. This can be done on the stovetop or in the oven, depending on your preference. Once the bacon is cooked and cooled, crumble it into small pieces and set it aside.
Next, it’s time to prepare the pastry. You can use store-bought puff pastry for convenience, or if you’re feeling adventurous, try making your own. Roll out the pastry into a thin sheet, and cut it into squares or circles, depending on your preference.
Once you have your pastry cutouts ready, it’s time to assemble the turnovers. Place a spoonful of the crumbled bacon and a sprinkle of cheese in the center of each pastry square or circle. Fold the pastry over to form a triangle or turnover shape, and seal the edges with a fork.
At this point, you can either bake the turnovers right away or freeze them for later use. If you’re baking them right away, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and place the turnovers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown and crispy.
Once out of the oven, allow the bacon and cheese turnovers to cool for a few minutes before serving. These delectable pastries can be enjoyed on their own or served with a side of salad for a more complete meal.
In conclusion, making bacon and cheese turnovers is a delicious and satisfying culinary endeavor. With a few key ingredients and some simple cooking techniques, you can create a delectable treat that will impress your friends and family. So why not give it a try and enjoy the mouthwatering combination of bacon and cheese wrapped in flaky pastry?
Preparation
Before you begin making bacon and cheese turnovers, gather all the necessary ingredients and equipment:
- 1 package of puff pastry dough, thawed
- 6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup of shredded cheese (cheddar or Swiss work well)
- 1 egg, beaten
- Rolling pin
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Pastry brush
Once you have everything ready, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Take the thawed puff pastry out of the refrigerator and allow it to come to room temperature for 10-15 minutes. This will make it easier to work with.
While the pastry is coming to room temperature, cook the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until they are crispy. Remove them from the skillet and place them on a paper towel to drain excess grease. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces and set aside.
Next, lightly flour your work surface and roll out the puff pastry into a large rectangle, about 1/8 inch thick. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the pastry into smaller rectangles, about 3×4 inches each. You should get around 8 rectangles from one sheet of puff pastry.
Place a spoonful of shredded cheese and some crumbled bacon onto one half of each pastry rectangle, leaving a small border around the edge. Brush the beaten egg around the edges of the pastry, then fold it in half over the filling and press the edges firmly to seal.
Transfer the filled turnovers onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops with additional beaten egg for a golden and glossy finish. Bake the turnovers in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are puffed up and golden brown.
Once they are done, remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the turnovers to cool for a few minutes before serving. These bacon and cheese turnovers are best enjoyed fresh and warm, making them a perfect savory option for breakfast or brunch. Enjoy!
Collect the ingredients
Before you start making bacon and cheese turnovers, gather all the necessary ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the pastry:
2 cups all-purpose flour |
1/2 teaspoon salt |
1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed |
1/4 cup cold water |
For the filling:
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled |
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese |
1/4 cup diced onions |
1/4 teaspoon black pepper |
Make sure to have all these ingredients on hand before proceeding with the recipe. Having everything organized will make the cooking process much smoother.
Preheat the oven
To begin making bacon and cheese turnovers, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Preheating the oven ensures that it is at the right temperature when you are ready to bake the turnovers, allowing them to cook evenly and thoroughly.
Step 1:
First, take out the baking sheet and line it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This will prevent the turnovers from sticking to the baking sheet and make the cleanup process easier.
Step 2:
Gently unroll the puff pastry sheets and cut them into squares or rectangles of your desired size. This will be the base for each individual turnover. Keep in mind that the size of the pastry will determine how much filling you can add.
Step 3:
Once the puff pastry is cut, place a generous amount of grated cheese and cooked bacon onto each pastry piece. Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese and seasonings to customize the turnovers to your taste.
Step 4:
Next, carefully fold each pastry square over the filling to create a triangular turnover shape. Using a fork, press the edges of the pastry together to seal the turnover and prevent any filling from leaking out during baking.
Step 5:
Transfer the assembled turnovers onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart to allow for even cooking. Brush the tops with a beaten egg to give the turnovers a shiny and golden appearance.
Step 6:
Place the baking sheet with the turnovers into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 18-20 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up and golden brown. Keep an eye on the turnovers to ensure they do not overcook and become too crispy.
Pro tip: Serve the bacon and cheese turnovers warm for maximum flavor and enjoy them as a delicious appetizer, snack, or even for breakfast.
Following these simple instructions and preheating the oven will result in delicious homemade bacon and cheese turnovers that are crispy on the outside and ooey-gooey on the inside.
Make the dough
To start making the bacon and cheese turnovers, you need to prepare the dough. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
1. Gather the ingredients: You will need 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 cup of cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes.
2. Combine the dry ingredients: In a mixing bowl, mix the flour and salt together. Make sure they are well-combined.
3. Add the cold butter: Add the cold cubes of butter to the flour mixture. Use your hands or a pastry cutter to cut the butter into the flour. Continue until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Add the cold water: Gradually add about 1/4 cup of cold water to the flour mixture. Use a fork to mix everything together. Add more water a tablespoon at a time, if necessary, until the dough comes together and is slightly sticky.
5. Shape the dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Use your hands to gently knead the dough a few times until it forms a smooth ball. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
6. Roll out the dough: After the dough has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and place it on a floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough out into a large rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick.
7. Cut the dough: Use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to cut the rolled-out dough into smaller squares or rectangles, about 6-8 inches in size. These will be the individual turnovers.
Now that you have prepared the dough, you can move on to stuffing it with delicious bacon and cheese filling.
Measure out the ingredients
Before you start making your bacon and cheese turnovers, it’s important to measure out all of the ingredients you’ll need. This ensures that you have everything ready and organized, making the cooking process much smoother.
Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- 1 sheet of puff pastry: Make sure it’s thawed if you’re using frozen pastry.
- 4 strips of bacon: Choose bacon that is crispy and flavorful.
- 1 cup of cheddar cheese: Grated or sliced cheddar works well.
- 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard: Adds a tangy flavor to the turnovers.
- 1 egg: This will be used as an egg wash to give the pastry a golden color.
Once you have all of the ingredients measured out and ready, you can move on to the next step of the recipe.
Mix the dough
To make these delicious bacon and cheese turnovers, the first step is to mix the dough. This simple dough is made with flour, butter, salt, and water. Follow the steps below to create the perfect dough:
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold water
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Mix well.
- Add the chilled and cubed butter to the mixture.
- Using your hands or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add the cold water to the mixture, a little at a time, while continuing to mix.
- Continue to mix until the dough forms a ball and all the ingredients are well combined.
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Once the dough is ready, shape it into a flat disk and wrap it in plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes.
After chilling, your dough is ready to be rolled out and filled with the delicious bacon and cheese mixture. Follow the remaining steps in the recipe to complete your savory turnovers.
Prepare the filling
Before you can start assembling the turnovers, you will need to prepare the filling. Here’s how:
- Cook the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Once cooked, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off excess oil.
- Meanwhile, finely chop the onion and mince the garlic cloves. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a separate skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant and translucent.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked bacon, sautéed onion and garlic, shredded cheddar cheese, and a pinch of black pepper. Stir well to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
- Set the filling mixture aside for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together while you prepare the pastry dough.
Once the filling is ready, you can move on to the next step of making the delicious bacon and cheese turnovers.
Cook the bacon
First, cook the bacon until it is crispy and golden brown. Place the bacon slices in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, or until they are evenly cooked and crispy. Use tongs to flip the bacon slices halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Remove the cooked bacon from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate. This will help absorb any excess grease. Let the bacon cool for a few minutes and then chop it into small pieces. Set aside the chopped bacon for later use in the turnover filling.
While the bacon is cooking, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it is ready when you assemble the turnovers. Cooking the bacon on the stovetop allows you to control the level of crispness and ensures that it stays crispy after baking in the turnovers.
Be sure to save some of the bacon grease in the skillet, as you will use it later to cook the onions for the filling. The bacon grease adds a delicious flavor to the turnovers and enhances the overall taste. If you prefer a lighter option, you can drain some of the bacon grease and use a healthier oil instead.
Cooking the bacon is an essential step in making bacon and cheese turnovers, as it not only provides the savory bacon flavor, but also adds a crispy texture to the filling. Follow these steps to ensure perfectly cooked bacon for your delicious turnovers.