Save A festive, crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring golden, flaky mini sausage rolls arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree—perfect for holiday gatherings.
This recipe has been a hit at every holiday gathering I've hosted, always disappearing fast.
Ingredients
- Pastry: 2 sheets (approx. 500 g) ready-rolled puff pastry
- Filling: 400 g quality pork sausage meat, 1 small onion, finely chopped, 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp ground black pepper, 1/2 tsp salt
- Assembly & Finish: 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash), 2 tbsp sesame seeds or poppy seeds (optional), fresh rosemary sprigs (for decoration), 1 cherry tomato or star-shaped cheese slice (for the tree topper)
- Dipping Sauce: 4 tbsp wholegrain or Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
- Step 2:
- In a bowl, mix sausage meat, onion, parsley, Dijon mustard, thyme, salt, and pepper until evenly combined.
- Step 3:
- Unroll the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Cut each sheet lengthwise into 4 strips (total 8 strips).
- Step 4:
- Divide the sausage mixture into 8 equal portions. Spread one portion along the length of each pastry strip, forming a sausage shape.
- Step 5:
- Roll the pastry over the filling to enclose it, pinching the seam to seal. Place seam-side down and cut each long roll into 3 equal pieces, yielding 24 mini rolls.
- Step 6:
- Arrange the mini rolls on the prepared baking tray in a Christmas tree shape: start with 1 at the top, then 2 beneath, 3 below, and so on, forming rows (6 at the base), with 2 at the bottom as the trunk.
- Step 7:
- Brush each roll with beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if desired.
- Step 8:
- Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until golden and puffed.
- Step 9:
- Mix mustard and honey for the dipping sauce.
- Step 10:
- Once baked, cool slightly. Decorate with fresh rosemary sprigs as branches and a cherry tomato or cheese star at the top. Serve with the honey mustard dip.
Save This recipe always brings my family together during the holidays with smiles and full plates.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, use vegetarian sausage meat or a mushroom-lentil filling. You can assemble and chill the rolls ahead, then bake just before serving. Serve with extra dips like cranberry sauce or sweet chili.
Required Tools
Large baking tray, parchment paper, mixing bowl, sharp knife, pastry brush
Nutritional Information
Calories per serving (1 mini roll): 120, Total Fat: 8 g, Carbohydrates: 8 g, Protein: 4 g.
Save These mini sausage rolls are guaranteed to be the star of your festive appetizer table.
Recipe Guide
- → What pastry is best for the sausage rolls?
Ready-rolled puff pastry sheets provide the perfect flaky and golden texture for these sausage bites.
- → Can I prepare the sausage rolls in advance?
Yes, you can assemble and chill the rolls beforehand, then bake them fresh just before serving.
- → What flavors are in the filling?
The filling combines pork sausage with finely chopped onion, fresh parsley, Dijon mustard, thyme, salt, and pepper for a well-rounded taste.
- → How is the Christmas tree shape formed?
Mini sausage rolls are arranged in rows that widen from top to bottom, topped with rosemary sprigs as branches and a cherry tomato or cheese star at the peak.
- → Are there vegetarian alternatives for the filling?
Yes, a vegetarian sausage meat or mushroom-lentil mixture can be used in place of pork for a meat-free option.
- → What dipping sauce complements these bites?
A honey and wholegrain or Dijon mustard sauce pairs beautifully, adding a sweet and tangy note.