Shrimp Avocado Cheddar Pockets

Golden flaky pastry pockets filled with tender shrimp creamy avocado and a hit of sharp cheddar these Shrimp Avocado Cheddar Pockets make effortless appetizers or a quick meal you can serve warm from the oven I love how the zesty filling contrasts with buttery pastry so every bite bursts with creamy and savory goodness

One time I served these at a backyard barbecue and my friends finished them before the main course even hit the table Everyone asked for the recipe right away

Ingredients

• Medium shrimp peeled deveined and chopped: choose fresh or thawed shrimp with a natural briny scent for best texture and flavor
• Sharp cheddar cheese shredded: adds depth and gooey richness go for a block you shred yourself instead of pre-shredded for better meltiness
• Ripe avocado diced: creamy contrast look for avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure but are not mushy
• Spring onions finely chopped: bring a mild sharpness and color fresh onions should have vibrant greens and crisp white bases
• Small clove garlic minced: a subtle background aroma choose firm cloves that are not sprouting for the best taste
• Fresh cilantro chopped optional: lively herbal layer only use bright leafy bunches
• Juice of one lime: keeps avocado green and adds tang fresh lime is best for fragrance
• Puff pastry thawed: flaky golden wrap pick a brand that uses real butter for superior taste and layers
• Smoked paprika: smoky depth opt for a Spanish variety for true warmth
• Ground black pepper: balances richness freshly cracked for more aroma
• Salt: enhances other flavors sea salt or kosher is best for even seasoning
• Egg beaten: for brushing ensures crisp deeply golden tops freshest eggs give the best glossy finish

Instructions

Preheat the Oven and Prepare Pan:

Set your oven to 200 Celsius or 400 Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper so the pockets bake evenly and do not stick

Mix the Filling:

In a mixing bowl combine shrimp avocado cheddar spring onions garlic cilantro lime juice smoked paprika black pepper and salt Gently toss so the avocado stays in chunks and the cheese is evenly distributed

Prepare and Portion the Pastry:

On a lightly floured surface roll out your puff pastry into a rectangle and cut it into eight equal portions about ten by twelve centimeters each even sizing helps them cook uniformly

Fill Each Pocket:

Spoon a generous two to three tablespoons of filling into the center of every pastry piece keeping filling away from the edges so it will not leak out as it bakes

Seal the Pockets:

Fold each rectangle over the filling to make a neat pocket then press the edges with a fork this locks in the moisture and adds a decorative finish

Brush and Arrange:

Lay out the filled pockets on your prepared tray and gently brush the tops with beaten egg this step is key for deep color and crunch

Bake to Perfection:

Slide the tray into your hot oven bake for eighteen to twenty minutes until the pastry puffs up and turns golden brown a well baked pocket will feel crisp and flake under gentle pressure

Cool and Serve:

Let the pockets rest on the tray for a few minutes before moving them to a serving platter the filling will set up making them easier to eat

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I always look forward to the cheddar in this recipe its tangy sharpness holds up so well against the tender shrimp and creamy avocado My kids especially love poking at the gooey cheese inside We once made a double batch for family movie night and there was not a crumb left

Storage Tips

Once cooled store pockets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days Rewarm them in the oven or an air fryer for a few minutes to restore the crispiness rather than using the microwave so they do not turn soggy

Ingredient Substitutions

If you do not have sharp cheddar try another melting cheese like Monterey Jack or Gouda Cooked crab or diced cooked chicken can be swapped for shrimp for variety in flavor or dietary needs You can also use a store bought pie crust for a sturdier texture though the flavor will change

Serving Suggestions

Serve these pockets with tangy salsa fresh green salad or a light soup on the side They also work beautifully as part of a brunch spread with other small bites like mini quiches or fruit skewers

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Whenever I spot perfect avocados at the market this is the recipe I come back to It is simple to customize and always disappears fast no matter who you serve it to