How To: Turn Anything in Your Pantry into a Bomb Appetizer with This Simple Formula

You never know when the mood for a party will hit, and lazy summer days are perfect for hosting impromptu gatherings in the backyard. That's why it's always important to be prepared with plenty of drinks, cool snacks, and ingredients for crowd-pleasing appetizers.

Keep puff pastry stocked in your freezer and you can have fuss-free appetizers faster than you can say, "Oh, I wasn't expecting you. Thanks for dropping by!" Puff pastry appetizers look fancy and taste great, but let's be honest: an eight-year-old could make these tasty starters. So grab a kid, and start making these simple hors d'oeuvres!

The Formula

Naturally, puff pastry is your base and star ingredient. Just select a cheese of your choice, add a fruit and/or vegetable, and top with a flavor booster like nuts, herbs, or a drizzle of sauce. These four key components ensure that your appetizer has the perfect balance of taste and texture.

Step 1: Pick a Cheese

Any cheese will work, but I tend to prefer soft cheeses that provide an even spread.

• cream cheese
• goat cheese
• feta
• Brie
• ricotta
• cheddar
• Gouda
• mozzarella
• Parmesan (while not a soft cheese, its "meltability" makes it good for this use)

Step 2: Select Fruits or Vegetables

Pick out one or two vegetables or fruits to layer on top of your puff pastry and cheese.

• tomatoes
• mushrooms
• blueberries (pickled or fresh)
• apricots (fresh or dried)
• onions
• peppers
• cucumbers
• apples
• pears
• spinach (frozen or fresh)

Step 3: Add in Herbs, Nuts, or Sauce

The add-ins are my favorite part of the appetizer as they tie everything together. You can't go wrong with fresh herbs or honey (my personal favorites).

• slivered almonds
• crumbled pistachios
• capers
• balsamic reduction
• honey
• olive oil
• mint
• basil
• rosemary
• parsley
• dill

Step 4: Assemble & Bake

Once you've selected your ingredients, preheat the oven to 300°F and start putting together your finger food. Make diamonds, triangles, roll-ups, pinwheels, and mini cups for a selection of shapes.

I made six unique appetizers by selecting an item or two from each of the lists above. The beauty of these easy starters is that you can make a bunch of them at once, with no need for individual batches. It's a multitasker's dream come true.

1. Cream Cheese + Jalapeños + Honey

Spoon a thin layer of cream cheese over a sheet of puff pastry, add sliced jalapeños, fold, and bake. Drizzle with a little honey after they come out of the oven and devour. A little sweet, a little hot, and a whole lot delicious!

2. Mozzarella + Tomato + Basil + Balsamic

My husband calls these tasty bites "pizza bombs." Wrap puff pastry halfway around halved cherry tomatoes and mozzarella before baking. Sprinkle shredded basil leaves and a balsamic reduction over the rounds when they come out of the oven. It's like a tiny, fresh pizza that looks like the Italian flag.

3. Feta Cheese + Cucumber + Mint

The combination of mint, cucumber, and feta will have you thinking you are on a Greek island. Bake your puff pastry ahead of time and add chunks of cucumber afterwards to avoid soggy dough. You can make individual molds with ease using mini muffin tins. Just serve with a shot of ouzo and your guests will be saying "Opa!" in no time.

4. Ricotta + Apricot + Honey

If you obsess over ricotta toast like I do, this apricot and honey bite with ricotta will be your new favorite. The texture of warm baked apricot and honey resembles a jam consistency you won't be able to resist.

5. Cream Cheese + Mushroom + Green Onion

Combining savory cream cheese, green onion, and mushroom is a must. If you are really into onions (like me), top with more fresh scallions after the pastry comes out of the oven; the color contrast is really appealing.

6. Ricotta + Blueberry + Almonds + Honey

Plump, juicy blueberries over ricotta-slathered puff pastry with a honey drizzle and toasted almonds will tantalize your taste buds. I could eat this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The next time you are in a hurry and want delicious starters, grab a box of puff pastry, see what's in your garden or refrigerator, and get creative! Chances are you have everything you need for a party—just get some guests, and you're good to go!

• Follow Food Hacks Daily on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
• Follow WonderHowTo on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+

More Puff Pastry Wizardry:

• I Love Puff Pastry—Here's Why You Should, Too
• These Impressive Pastries Are Actually Super Easy to Make
• Skip the Official Recipe: Here Are the Faster & Easier Way to Make Cronuts