Upgrade your cheese and pineapple toasties by making these chilli cheese and pineapple puffs in the air fryer instead. They're the perfect vegetarian starter or canape that will be ready within minutes and easily made-ahead.
Great for entertaining, for on-the-go snacks and adding to lunch boxes. Just 4 ingredients, easy assembly, 5 minutes in the air-fryer and you're good to go!
Sweet and tart pineapple cubes, salty cheddar cheese and the tiniest dollop of chilli sauce is encased in a beautifully flaky puff pastry. Only four ingredients but when put together, something truly magical happens.
Cheese and pineapple is ultimately British and reminiscent of childhood parties. This recipe is perfect for entertaining whether it is a BBQ, garden party or sit down meal.
To make these "chilli cheese", I have used a little homemade Schezwan sauce but you can easily replace this with so many other options.
other Air Fryer Puff Pastry recipes
Air Fryer Punjabi Samosa Puffs
Tandoori Paneer Tarte au Soleil
Rose and Pistachio Puff Pastry Cream Horns/Cones
Eggless Mille Feuille with White Chocolate Saffron Yogurt Cream
Ingredients
Puff Pastry - for these puffs you will need puff pastry. I like to use ready-made puff pastry for convenience but you can absolutely make your own at home.
I prefer ready-rolled sheets to blocks as it saves me from having to roll out the pastry. Here, I have used a single roll of puff pastry 320g that when laid out flat is approximately 35cm by 23cm.
Pineapple - you can use either fresh pineapple or tinned pineapple. Make sure if using tinned that the pineapple is well drained otherwise it will make the pastry soggy.
Cheese - I cut mature cheddar into small cubes but you can also grate the cheese for the same effect as the cheese will melt.
Schezwan Sauce - this is what gives the "chilli" to the cheese. Add a small spoon of this sauce to the top of the pineapple and cheese or spread it onto the pastry before topping with the cheese and pineapple.
For the glaze - as an alternative to egg, milk or water and honey are suitable egg free glazes.
How to make Pineapple and Chilli Cheese puffs in the air fryer
Follow these easy steps for perfectly flaky cheese puffs.
Prepare the filling by cutting pineapple into small cubes.
Now you want to prepare the pastry. Have it out of the fridge around 10-15 minutes before rolling it out flat.
Next, you want to cut the pastry into equal squares - I like to use a ruler for this. Here, I have cut the squares into 3x3 inches but you can make yours bigger if you prefer. 3x3 makes small bite-sized puffs.
I have used a pizza wheel but you can also use a sharp knife.
The next job is adding the filling. It is tempting to overstuff but please don't as you'll regret it later. Keep some space around the edges to allow the pastry to be folded.
Make sure your pineapple is fairly dry or else it will make the pastry soggy.
Now you want to make your parcels. Bring each corner of the square together to meet in the middle. Pinch the pastry together so that it sticks.
Brush some milk over the parcels as an egg-free glaze (not shown as a separate step here)
Place them gently in the air-fryer basket. You can use foil or parchment paper for the air fryer. You can also poke some holes into the foil or parchment to prevent it from flying around in the air fryer during cooking.
Keep a gap between the parcels to allow space to rise.
Air fry at 180 C for 5-7 minutes. You may need to adjust timings based on how your first batch turns out.
Remember to remove your basket from the air fryer once the pastry is cooked or else it will continue to brown.
Allow the pastry to cool slightly before taking off the parchment as some of the pastry make stick at the bottom.
How to make Pineapple Cheese Puffs in the oven
Pre-heat the oven to 200C.
Follow the same steps as above.
Place the assembled puffs onto a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Keep a gap of 3cm minimum between each puff as they will rise.
Place in the centre of the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. You may have to turn the baking tray half way through cooking to allow all puffs to bake evenly.
Once the puffs are golden-brown, remove from the oven otherwise they will continue to cook in the residual heat.
Serving Suggestion
These cute bite-sized puffs are delicious served warm but also taste fabulous cold/room temperature.
They'll look impressive loaded onto a large platter ready to be devoured during dinner parties or barbeques.
A cooling soft drink like this cardamom mojito is perfect to get the party started.
If you'd like to serve them with a sauce on the side, then this green coriander and mint chutney is great.
Other Pineapple recipes to try:
As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!
Don’t forget to follow me on social media using the buttons below – I can't wait to see you all there!
Air Fryer Puff Pastry Chilli Cheese and Pineapple Parcels
Equipment
- 1 Chopping board
- 1 pizza cutter/sharp knife
- 1 Air fryer
- 1 air fryer parchment paper
Ingredients
- 320 gram puff pastry 1 ready rolled sheet (approx. 13" x 9") or 35cm x 23cm
- 100 gram cheddar cheese grated (mature or mild)
- 150 gram pineapple finely chopped
- 4-5 tablespoon chilli sauce schezwan sauce
Instructions
- First preheat the instant pot vortex to 180C for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile prepare the puffs.
- Lay the ready rolled puff pastry on a smooth surface or a chopping board.320 gram puff pastry
- Cut equal squares using a pizza wheel or sharp knife. I made 12 pieces.
- Put 1 teaspoon of cheese, pineapple pieces and a tiny dollop of sauce on each square.100 gram cheddar cheese, 150 gram pineapple, 4-5 tablespoon chilli sauce
- Bring all four corners together.
- Brush it with milk or maple syrup.
- Once air fryer is pre heated carefully lay the parchment paper into the air fryer basket and add the puffs.
- Do not over crowd the basket by adding many puffs at the same time.
- Air fry 5-7 minutes or until nice and golden. Try 5 minutes for the first batch to how your parcels have cooked.
- Remove the air fryer basket from the air fryer immediately and take out the parcels carefully.
Notes
Top Tips for working with puff pastry in the air fryer
- Only take out the pastry between 10-15 minutes prior to using - this will also depend on how hot your kitchen is at the time. In reality, you may want to adjust this time
- You will know that the pastry is ready to work with as you unroll it. If you see a crack beginning to appear as you unroll, it is still too chilled - give it another few minutes
- Flour the worktop before placing the pastry on it - it will prevent the pastry from sticking as it warms
- If cracks form in your pastry, either roll over the crack gently or pinch back together using your fingers
- When cutting the puff pastry, use a sharp clean knife and cut through the pastry rather than drag the knife through. I used a pizza slicer which actually worked well for me
- If your pastry has come to room temperature, you can place it in the fridge for 20 minutes to chill it. This ensures a flakier puff when cooking as the layers remain separate.
- Add a glaze prior to baking - I use eggless alternatives only such as milk or a mix of water and honey.
- The pastry is well cooked when it is golden-brown all over. You may need to check the pastry periodically as it burns quickly but try to resist opening the oven/air fryer too many times as it can cause the pastry to collapse
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Share on Facebook Pin This Recipe
ramona says
Wow, when I saw the ingredients and combinations in this recipe, my mouth dropped open because of how delicious it looks and sounds! I am so excited to make this and taste the sweet and sour combination that this will give. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Hayley says
@ramona, you are so welcome, thanks take care
Tristin says
These puff pastries made the perfect appetizer! They cooked up perfectly browned and adorable in the air fryer.
Hayley says
@Tristin, thanks for the feedback, very nice to read that you liked them.
Kim says
So delicious! Great balance of sweet, savory, and a little spice. They were a huge hit at my party!
Hayley says
@Kim, its great to hear that these were enjoyed at your party. thank you, take care
Debbie says
These Air Fryer Puff Pastry Chilli Cheese and Pineapple Parcels are such a fun little appetizer. I am obsessed with using my air fryer so this was perfect for me . Such a wonderful combination of flavors.
Hayley says
@Debbie, yes and so easy to make too, thank a lot for your lovely feedback
Raksha says
Loved how these puff pastry with cheese and pineapple turned out in the air fryer. Pineapple and cheddar combination turned great in taste and the flavours were amazing. This recipe is a keeper.
Hayley says
@Raksha, thank you, so glad you liked it
Tammy says
That sweet and salty combo is just unbeatable and wrapped together in a buttery, flakey pastry?? Yes, please! These look so beautiful and delicious ^_^
Hayley says
@Tammy, i totally agree with your comment, this turned out so nice, thanks.
Veronika says
I always thought that making pastries would take hours to make because they look so good. I was shocked by how easy these were to make and the pineapple went really well with the cheddar. Yum!
Hayley says
@Veronika, so pleased to hear that it was so easy for, thanks
Gloria says
I need to make some appetizers for Father's Day. These look delicious. I just happen to have some puff pastry in the freezer too.
Hayley says
@Gloria, hope you hada a great fathers day, take care thanks
Freya says
I love any air fryer recipes and this one is particularly good! I loved them warm but they’re great cold too!
Hayley says
@Freya, yes air fryer is very useful in the kitchen glad you like this recipe,thanks
Bernice says
What?! This is such a genius idea! I have leftover pineapple salsa in the fridge and some queso fresco too. What a wicked combination and of course, you can make anything in an air fryer!
Hayley says
@Bernice, thanks for the compliments, enjoy making it.