Do not let that fancy French name trick you.
These 17 vol-au-vent recipes are actually incredibly simple to pull off in your own kitchen. You are basically dealing with puff pastry shells that act as deep pockets for delicious fillings like Brie, shrimp, or Nutella.
If you did not grow up eating these (lucky you!), ask your parents about these flaky little appetizers. I bet they enjoyed plenty of them back in the day. No party in the 80s was complete without a big platter of them.
Since you can stuff them with sweet or savory ingredients, it makes total sense that they are back in style.
1. Vanilla Blueberry Vols-Au-Vent
This sweet treat tastes just as delightful as it looks. You fill these pastries with vanilla pudding and top them with fresh blueberries and orange peel. It creates a heavenly mix of airy pastry and refreshing filling.
If you need to prep these in advance, bake and cool the shells first. Then brush the insides with some melted white or dark chocolate. Once that layer hardens, it acts as a barrier to keep the pudding from making your pastry soggy.
2. Turkey Vol au Vent Shells
Take a second to admire how stunning this appetizer looks. It is amazing how a simple sprinkle of pomegranate arils can make a dish look absolutely breathtaking. This snack tastes just as scrumptious as it appears.
Inside that buttery shell sits a creamy sauce packed with diced turkey, mushrooms, and green peas. This is another excellent way to use up your leftover turkey after the holidays.
3. Shrimp Etouffee Vol au Vents
Here sits another dish with a complex name that you should not fear. We already know what the pastry part is, so let’s talk about etouffee. It is a French word meaning smothered.
That describes this Cajun and Creole dish perfectly since it features rice covered in a thick tomato sauce and shellfish. Combine that hearty mixture with a light pastry shell for a stunning seafood appetizer. You will want to make this one over and over.
4. Puff Pastry Baskets with Nutella
Any dessert involving Nutella is pretty much guaranteed to be a winner. These pastry shells are no exception to that rule. You simply fill flaky puff pastry baskets to the brim with chocolate hazelnut spread and nothing else.
It is a very straightforward concept. Despite the simplicity, this dessert tastes out of this world. Just ask any kid who has tried one.
5. Strawberry Vol-Au-Vent Dessert
Goodness gracious, this strawberry dessert is a total beauty. Imagine a strawberry and whipped cream parfait layered inside a cronut style puff pastry cup instead of a glass. I know that I am already drooling just thinking about it.
I love how the sweet tart filling balances the savory buttery casing. They create a perfect harmony of flavors together. You only need four ingredients to make this happen, though it looks like you spent hours baking.
6. Mushroom and Sausage Vols-au-Vent
These might not look quite as fancy as some other options, but check out that ingredient list. You get ground sausage, onions, diced cremini and portobello mushrooms, cream cheese, and parmesan all mixed with herbs and spices. Talk about flavor impact.
It is a delicious abundance that will satisfy every salty craving you have. Also, here is a fun fact for you: the plural is vols-au-vent rather than vol-au-vents.
7. Poached Pear Vol au Vents
This recipe might appear extravagant, but poaching pears is actually one of the easiest ways to make a fancy dessert. You simply let the fruit simmer in a spiced white wine bath until it becomes tender. Then you whip up a quick pastry cream to serve with it.
Stack everything together on a plate for a truly impressive presentation. It really is that easy.
8. Bouchée à la Reine (Vol-au-Vent)
Classic versions of this dish typically use a pureed poultry filling. While that sounds fine, let us go ahead and use bacon instead. Everything tastes better with bacon anyway.
Throw some meaty mushrooms and rich crème fraîche into the mix for good measure. Cook those ingredients all together and your bacon appetizer is ready to serve.
9. Shrimp Vol-au-Vent
I should mention straight away that you do not need to make puff pastry from scratch for any of these recipes. Store bought frozen pastry works perfectly, and many large stores sell pre-made shells too. Now that we have cleared that up, I highly recommend starting with this succulent shrimp recipe.
The cups burst with sweet plump shrimp and refreshing creamy cocktail sauce. Combine that with the flaky buttery shell and you have a treasure trove of textures and flavors. This finger food is ideal for your next elegant cocktail party.
10. Creamy Leek and Mushroom Vol au Vents
Sweet oniony leeks meet earthy mushrooms in this wonderfully savory recipe. Leeks add a fantastic garlicky note that pairs so well with the fungus.
I also really love the added pop of color you get here. This dish is completely vegetarian, but it packs so much flavor that no one will even miss the meat.
11. Escargot con Funghi in Vol-au-Vent
Look no further if you need an appetizer that will truly wow your guests. This escargot and mushroom dish adds an immediate air of sophistication to any celebration.
If you have never tried escargot before, this is the perfect time to start. Forget the fact that they are land snails and just dig in.
The recipe is surprisingly easy to make, so do not be afraid even if it is your first time cooking snails. Just be sure to use plenty of garlic butter.
12. Prawn and Avocado Vol-au-Vents
This recipe is your ticket if your goal is to impress classy party guests. First of all, look how pretty these appetizers turn out. They definitely nail that elegant look.
As for the taste, I have just one word: phenomenal. Flaky buttery pastries get filled with sweet prawns and creamy avocado tossed in a savory spiced mayo dressing.
13. Cream Cheese And Smoked Salmon Vol Au Vents
Smoked salmon and cheese make for the ultimate breakfast combination. That classic pairing also works incredibly well as a light and luxurious appetizer. I know I will never say no to this salty and smoky fusion of flavors regardless of the time of day.
It tastes excellent with bagels and bread, but yes, it is even better in puff pastry. Serve these at brunch or your next party and watch them fly off the plate.
14. Chicken and Mushroom Vol-au-Vent
You cannot beat chicken and mushrooms if you are in the mood for something earthy and creamy. A rich buttery roux makes this recipe extra special and adds a level of luxury you won’t want to share.
The mix of tender chicken, meaty mushrooms, and flaky pastry creates a genuinely exquisite bite.
15. Homemade Mushroom Vols Au Vent
Garlic mushrooms will always be a big hit with guests. You might want to watch your fingers when adding a cream sauce to the mix because I doubt these will last very long.
It is not complicated to make and you can use whichever mushrooms you prefer. You could even toss in some chopped chicken if you wanted a protein boost. This should be at the top of your list as far as mushroom appetizers go.
16. Brie and Cranberry Vol-au-Vent
These bite sized pastries will make your taste buds go wild if you love a sweet and savory profile as much as I do. You fill them to the brim with a blend of tart cranberry sauce and melty creamy Brie.
It does not stop there. A crunchy pistachio garnish adds even more texture and flavor to these cups. This is the perfect recipe to make on Boxing Day using all that leftover cranberry sauce.
17. Beef, Red Wine & Mushroom Vol-Au-Vents
Transform tender beef and meaty mushrooms into an even more stunning filling for your pastry shells. All you need is a splash of red wine, some heavy cream, and a sprinkling of thyme for garnish.
It tastes like eating a hearty savory meat pie but with a flakier crust. The filling is absolutely irresistible.