Christmas Tree Mini Pizzas with Puff Pastry

Christmas Tree Mini Pizzas

These mini pizzas are individual puff-pastry trees, folded into tapered zigzags around wooden skewers rather than cut into flat shapes. Pizza sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni show between the layers, while Parmesan and herbs finish the golden pastry.

Keep the filling thin and the pastry cool as you shape the trees. Loose folds give the pastry room to puff and help the centers bake through before the outside gets too dark.

Ingredients for Christmas Tree Mini Pizzas

• 2 thawed puff pastry sheets (about 17 ounces total; 480g), cool but pliable
• 1/3 cup pizza sauce (85g)
• 1 cup shredded low-moisture mozzarella (110g)
• 2 ounces pepperoni (55g), cut into narrow strips
• 1 large egg, beaten with 1 teaspoon water
• 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan (10g), plus a little more for serving
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or basil
• 8 short wooden or bamboo skewers, about 6 inches long

Extra pizza sauce for dipping is optional. Use only a thin smear inside the pastry; too much sauce can leave the folds soggy.

How to Make Christmas Tree Mini Pizzas

1. Preheat the oven: Heat to 400°F (205°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment. If using wooden skewers, soak them briefly while the oven heats. The pastry should unfold without cracking but still feel cool.
2. Cut and fill: Cut each pastry sheet into four long, even strips. Spread each with a very thin layer of pizza sauce, then add a modest line of mozzarella and pepperoni. Keep the filling inside the strips and leave the center path as clear as possible for the skewer.
3. Shape the trees: Thread a skewer through the end of each strip. Fold the pastry back and forth around the skewer, making each fold wider toward the base. Leave a short handle below the tree and keep the folds loose, not compressed.
4. Chill and brush: Space the trees apart on the baking sheet. If the pastry has softened or the folds slump, chill the shaped trees for about 10 minutes. Brush the exposed pastry lightly with egg wash without letting it pool on the pan.
5. Bake: Bake uncovered, starting to check at 16 minutes. The trees will usually take 18 to 22 minutes, depending on fold thickness, tree size, and oven. Look for puffed, golden to deep golden outer ridges, cheese bubbling in spots, and inner folds that look flaky rather than pale or doughy. Rotate the sheet once if your oven browns unevenly.
6. Rest and finish: Let the trees rest on the baking sheet for 3 to 5 minutes so the cheese settles and the pastry firms. Sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley or basil. Serve warm, with extra pizza sauce for dipping if desired.

How to Fold the Pastry Trees

The skewer keeps the zigzag layers aligned, while progressively wider folds create the tapered tree shape. Keep the pastry cool enough to hold those folds, but pliable enough to thread without tearing. Leave small gaps between layers so heat can reach the pastry inside.

How to Keep the Inner Folds Baked Through

The exposed edges can brown before the pastry near the filling is done. Check between the folds before removing the trees from the oven. If the tops are getting dark while the centers still look pale, loosely tent the trees with foil for the rest of the bake.

Christmas Tree Mini Pizza Variations

• Pesto and mozzarella: Replace the pizza sauce with a very thin layer of pesto. Its oil and moisture can soften the pastry if you use too much.
• Meat-free: Omit the pepperoni and keep the sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan, and herbs. Avoid adding wet vegetables to the folds.

Another melting cheese can replace the mozzarella, but avoid very wet cheeses that could soften the pastry.

How to Store and Reheat

For the best texture, serve the trees the day they are baked. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container; the pastry will lose some crispness. Reheat in a toaster oven or conventional oven until warmed through and crisped somewhat.

You can prepare the sauce, cheese, and pepperoni ahead. Keep the pastry cold and assemble the trees close to baking so the filling does not soften the folds.

Nutrition

Approximate nutrition per serving, based on 1 tree out of 8: 335 calories, 11g protein, 22g fat, and 30g carbohydrates. Approximate nutrition per 100g: 330 calories, 11g protein, 21g fat, and 30g carbohydrates. Values vary by puff pastry brand and ingredient choices.