Save A festive, crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring golden, flaky mini sausage rolls arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree—perfect for holiday gatherings.
I first served these mini sausage rolls at a Christmas gathering and they were an instant hit with family and friends.
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 joy to our family holiday get-togethers and starts conversations around the table.
Variations
For a vegetarian version, replace the sausage meat with a mushroom-lentil filling or vegetarian sausage.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these mini sausage rolls with cranberry sauce, sweet chili dip, or extra honey mustard on the side for dipping.
Storage Tips
You can assemble and chill the rolls ahead of time, then bake them just before serving to save time on the day.
Save 
This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and adds festive charm to any holiday gathering.
Questions & Answers
- → What kind of pastry is best for these rolls?
Ready-rolled puff pastry works best, providing a flaky and golden crust that complements the savory filling.
- → Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble and chill the rolls before baking. Bake them just before serving for optimal freshness.
- → What alternatives exist for the filling?
Vegetarian sausage meat or a mushroom-lentil mix can be used as alternatives to pork sausage for different dietary preferences.
- → How do I achieve the Christmas tree shape?
Arrange the mini rolls on the baking tray in rows stacked from top to bottom, forming a triangular tree outline, then decorate with rosemary and a cherry tomato or cheese star on top.
- → What dips pair well with these rolls?
Honey mustard is a classic pairing, but cranberry sauce or sweet chili dip can also complement the savory flavors nicely.