Looking for an easy holiday appetizer that feels a little fancy without a lot of fuss? These Butternut Squash, Ricotta & Sage Puff Pastry Bites are the perfect addition to your holiday entertaining menu! Made with Stahlbush Island Farms Frozen Butternut Squash, creamy ricotta, fresh sage, and toasted walnuts, each bite combines savory, seasonal flavors with golden, flaky puff pastry.
Roasting frozen butternut squash with olive oil and sage brings out its naturally sweet, earthy flavor, while creamy ricotta adds a delicious contrast. Toasted walnuts provide the perfect finishing touch, making these little pastries a crowd-pleasing appetizer for Thanksgiving, Christmas parties, holiday potlucks, or any festive gathering.
Best of all, using frozen butternut squash makes holiday prep simple. There’s no peeling or chopping required, so you can spend less time preparing ingredients and more time enjoying the celebration!
Why You’ll Love These Holiday Appetizers
Easy holiday entertaining: Simple ingredients come together to create an elegant appetizer that looks impressive on any holiday table.
Seasonal butternut squash flavor: Roasted squash, fresh sage, and creamy ricotta make a delicious combination for fall and winter gatherings.
Convenient frozen vegetables: Stahlbush Butternut Squash cubes help save time on prep without sacrificing seasonal flavor.
Perfect for sharing: These individual puff pastry bites are easy to serve at cocktail parties, holiday dinners, and potlucks.
A delicious mix of textures: Flaky pastry, tender squash, smooth ricotta, and crunchy toasted walnuts make every bite satisfying.
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Toss the Stahlbush Butternut Squash cubes with chopped fresh sage, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread the squash on a baking sheet and roast for about 20 minutes, or until fork-tender. Let the squash cool to room temperature before assembling the pastries.
Prepare the puff pastry: Increase the oven temperature to 400°F. Cut each thawed puff pastry sheet into four squares, creating eight squares total. Arrange the squares on a lightly floured surface or parchment-lined work area.
Fill and fold: Spoon a small amount of ricotta cheese into the center of each pastry square. Top with a spoonful of roasted butternut squash and a sprinkle of toasted walnuts. Fold each square into your desired shape, gently sealing the edges as needed.
Transfer the assembled pastries to two parchment-lined baking sheets. Brush the tops and exposed pastry edges with egg wash to help them bake up beautifully golden.
Bake at 400°F for 15–20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is puffed and golden brown. Let the pastries cool slightly before serving warm.
An Easy Appetizer for Your Holiday Table
Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner, planning a Christmas cocktail party, or bringing a dish to a holiday potluck, these Butternut Squash, Ricotta & Sage Puff Pastry Bites are an easy way to bring seasonal flavor to your menu.
With the natural sweetness of butternut squash, fragrant sage, creamy ricotta, and crisp puff pastry, this recipe delivers an elegant appetizer without complicated preparation. Keep Stahlbush frozen vegetables on hand to make holiday cooking a little easier, from impressive party bites to comforting side dishes and seasonal favorites.
Ready to make your holiday entertaining easier? Stock your freezer with Stahlbush Island Farms Frozen Butternut Squash and other vegetables, and enjoy convenient, delicious ingredients for all your seasonal recipes.