Puff pastry ham braid in the airfryer
Crispy puff pastry braid with a creamy filling of ham, cream cheese and fresh vegetables. The puff pastry ham braid bakes golden in the airfryer in under 20 minutes and is perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Knife
- 1 Mixing bowl
- 1 Rolling pin
- 1 Bagepapir (til airfryer)
- 1 Brush
Ingredients
Puff pastry
275 g puff pastry 1 roll, thawed
Ham filling
- 200 g diced ham E.g. smoked pork loin or cooked ham
150 g cream cheese Plain
1 pcs red pepper Cut into small cubes
2 pcs spring onions Finely chopped
75 g grated cheese E.g. cheddar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp salt and pepper Freshly ground
Egg wash and topping
1 pcs egg Beaten, for brushing
1 tbsp poppy and sesame seed mix Or sesame seeds
Instructions
Preparation
- Cut 1 pcs red pepper into small cubes, and finely chop 2 pcs spring onions.
- Stir 150 g cream cheese until soft in a mixing bowl together with 1 tsp Dijon mustard and 1 tsp salt and pepper. Fold in 200 g diced ham, 75 g grated cheese and the chopped vegetables, until the filling is even.
- Roll 275 g puff pastry out on a piece of baking paper cut to fit the airfryer basket, and shape the dough into a rectangle about 25 x 30 cm.
- Spread the filling in a strip down the middle of the dough, leaving about 3 cm of bare dough at each end.
- Cut diagonal strips in the dough along both sides of the filling, and fold the strips alternately over each other so the braid is plaited. Pinch the ends together firmly so the filling doesn't leak out.
- Brush the whole braid with 1 pcs egg, and sprinkle 1 tbsp poppy and sesame seed mix evenly over the top.
Cooking in the airfryer
- Preheat the airfryer to 180 °C (fan).
- Lower the braid into the basket on the baking paper, and bake it at 180 °C for 18 minutes. Turn the baking paper half a turn after 10 minutes, so the braid bakes evenly.
- Check that the braid is golden brown and dry underneath. If the dough is still pale, bake it for another 2-3 minutes at 180 °C.
- Let the braid rest for 5 minutes outside the basket, so the puff pastry sets and the filling becomes firm enough to slice.
Serving
- Cut the braid into diagonal slices, and serve it warm.
Notes
Tips for the perfect result:
Keep the puff pastry cold right up until it goes into the airfryer — cold dough rises higher and becomes crisper. If the filling has become warm, let it cool in the fridge before you fold the braid, so the dough doesn't turn soft. Variation:
Swap the ham for smoked chicken or fried mushrooms, and use garlic cream cheese instead of plain. A couple of tablespoons of sun-dried tomatoes in the filling gives a real flavour boost. Serving:
Serve the ham braid warm in diagonal slices with a green salad and a dressing of crème fraîche, lemon juice and chives. Portion size:
If your airfryer is smaller, you can divide the dough in two and make two short braids, baked in two batches at the same temperature and time.
Keep the puff pastry cold right up until it goes into the airfryer — cold dough rises higher and becomes crisper. If the filling has become warm, let it cool in the fridge before you fold the braid, so the dough doesn't turn soft. Variation:
Swap the ham for smoked chicken or fried mushrooms, and use garlic cream cheese instead of plain. A couple of tablespoons of sun-dried tomatoes in the filling gives a real flavour boost. Serving:
Serve the ham braid warm in diagonal slices with a green salad and a dressing of crème fraîche, lemon juice and chives. Portion size:
If your airfryer is smaller, you can divide the dough in two and make two short braids, baked in two batches at the same temperature and time.
Nutrition
Calories: 550kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 21gFat: 38gSaturated fat: 20gPolyunsaturated fat: 2gMonounsaturated fat: 8gTrans fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 140mgSodium: 1150mgPotassium: 260mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1250IUVitamin C: 48mgCalcium: 195mgIron: 1.3mgNet carbohydrates: 27g
