Best. Appetizer. Ever.

Caramelized Pineapple, Ham and Cheese Turnovers | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

I know, bold statement, but seriously these cute little turnovers are to die for. Sweet, cheesy, savory, buttery… just all kinds of deliciousness. I think the combo of caramelized pineapple, swiss cheese and puff pastry is just maybe the best thing ever.

SO GOOD.

Everyone, and I really mean EVERYONE, was into these. Someone even said they’d be really nice just to have around to snack on. I agree, they’re perfect for snacking, or to eat as a lite meal. I like them best as an appetizer, but all three will work.

Caramelized Pineapple, Ham and Cheese Turnovers | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvestCaramelized Pineapple, Ham and Cheese Turnovers | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvestCaramelized Pineapple, Ham and Cheese Turnovers | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

For someone who never used to be a ham person, I’ve really gotten into it in the last year. I know that a lot of people really love ham, but growing up it was rarely ever presented to me so I just assumed I didn’t like it. That all changed last year though when I finally made my first ham (please excuse the ugly photos, ham is not a very pretty subject). I mean, whoa! So much yummy flavor. I loved it, the family loved it… we are slowly but surely becoming ham people.

Anyway, I baked a ham the other week and had so many leftovers (possibly the best part about baking a ham is the leftovers) that I decided I needed to make a fun appetizer out of them. Clearly pineapple and cheese needed to be involved, and since I’m on a puff pastry kick, well I couldn’t think of a better way to hold this all together. And that is how these cute little turnovers were made.

Honestly, these triangles are heaven. Simple, delicious heaven. I know that’s pretty dramatic, but it’s true.

Caramelized Pineapple, Ham and Cheese Turnovers | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvestCaramelized Pineapple, Ham and Cheese Turnovers | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Speaking of heaven, I have some extremely sad news regarding the family chickens. Sadly nine of our eleven chickens were attacked by two foxes last night and they did not make it. I never thought I could be so sad about chickens, but you guys, it’s REALLY sad. Not only that their lives are gone just like that, but dad finally had them laying eggs and doing all the right things (he was having some issues with the chickens eating the eggs and brooding). As much as the chickens grossed me out, they had become a part of the family and now they are just gone. It’s just so sad.

The two chickens left are from our original light-colored Buff Orpington chicks. They are so traumatized they will not leave their house. We are not 100% sure as to how the foxes got into the coop, but we have decided we are getting a full on house with a roof and a door that locks for them to go into at night. Then there will be no way for any predators to get them.

It’s Colorado, in the mountains, so we knew this was a possibility, BUT my dad had them in a pretty safe coop. Unfortunately it was just a super snowy night and the foxes must have climbed in and broken into the one house housing nine of the chickens. I woke up and saw them out there eating the chickens. That was not fun.

UGH. It’s still a bad picture painted in my head. Those poor little chickens. 🙁

R.I.P.

Caramelized Pineapple, Ham and Cheese Turnovers | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Okay, sorry for all the sadness. Let’s try to put our focus back on these Caramelized Pineapple, Ham and Cheese Turnovers.

Honestly, you guys HAVE to make these this holiday season, or really any season. Just make them! They are easy, you can even prepare them in advance and bake them just before serving. AND they are hand-held which makes eating them a breeze. Trust me on this, you guys really have to make these.

Plus, they’re cute, and we all know that cute food is always fun and yummy!

Oh and I almost forget to tell you, there are also caramelized onions. YESSS. Life is complete!

Caramelized Pineapple, Ham and Cheese Turnovers | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest
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4.07 from 29 votes

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

The Recipe

Caramelized Pineapple, Ham and Cheese Turnovers.

By halfbakedharvest

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cheese, ham, pineapple, turnovers

Best. Appetizer. Ever.

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 18 TURNOVERS
Calories 306 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 sweet onion sliced thin
  • 2 cups fresh pineapple cubed + 1 cup pineapple juice
  • pinch of salt + pepper
  • 2 sheets frozen puff pastry thawed
  • 1/2 cup dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
  • pinch of cayenne to taste
  • 12 slices of ham thinly sliced (omit for vegetarian version)
  • 12 slices swiss cheese
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 2 tablespoons poppy seeds

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the butter. Add the onions and cook about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until softened. At this point you want to slowly add the pineapple chunks and the pineapple juice, a little at a time, letting everything cook into the onions. Slowly add more until until you've added all the pineapple chunks and juice. Cook until the onions are caramelized to your liking and the pineapple juice has evaporated. Remove from the heat.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  3. Roll out the puff pastry sheets and cut each sheet into 9 squares (18 squares total). Place squares on a piece of wax paper or parchment paper (this will prevent sticking). In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard and worcestershire sauce. Brush the mustard mix lightly on each square of puff pastry.
  4. Divide the onion/pineapple mixture among the 18 squares, top with ham and swiss cheese. Don't overfill, otherwise it will be very difficult to seal the edges.
  5. Brush egg wash around the perimeter of each pastry square and carefully fold dough over filling to create triangles. Pinch the edges closed to create a good seal. Generously brush the top of each turnover with egg wash, sprinkle with poppy seeds. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly golden. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of chopped fresh thyme and flaky sea salt.
Caramelized Pineapple, Ham and Cheese Turnovers | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

P.S. Christmas Eve is in just ONE week. WHOA. Time to start planning your appetizers.

Caramelized Pineapple, Ham and Cheese Turnovers | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest