The holidays are HERE, and I am fully leaning into all things cozy, cheesy, and FUN in the kitchen. And friends… this Spinach & Artichoke Puff Pastry Christmas Tree is truly one of the cutest and most delicious holiday appetizers you will ever make. It’s festive, gorgeous, incredibly easy, and always the first thing to disappear at a party.

If you love cheesy pull-apart bread, warm dips, or anything shaped like a Christmas tree (aka me every December), you’re going to fall in love with this recipe. It uses simple, store-bought puff pastry, a creamy spinach–artichoke filling, and just a touch of garlic to create the perfect golden, flaky holiday showstopper.

This recipe feels elevated and impressive, but takes 20 minutes of hands-on work. It’s family-friendly, crowd-friendly, picky-eater-approved, and so much fun to twist into branches. My kids LOVE this one, both eating it and helping twist the little branches. It’s one of those recipes that makes the whole house smell amazing and feels like a holiday tradition as soon as you make it.

Let’s bake something holiday-magical! 🎄✨

Why You’ll Love This Spinach & Artichoke Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

• Festive & fun: Shaped like a Christmas tree! Perfect centerpiece for your holiday spread.
• SO easy: Store-bought puff pastry makes this recipe fast and approachable.
• Crowd favorite: Creamy, garlicky spinach-artichoke filling everyone knows and loves.
• Make-ahead friendly: Assemble ahead and bake when guests arrive.
• Kid-approved: The flavor is cozy, cheesy, and not too spinach-y (you know the vibes).

Serve it at Christmas Eve, holiday parties, family gatherings, or girls’ nights. And make a double batch because “one tree” is never enough.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 1 cup chopped spinach (fresh or frozen, squeezed dry)
• 1/2 cup chopped artichoke hearts
• 1/2 cup cream cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Pinch salt & pepper
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Make the filling: Combine spinach, artichokes, cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Shape the tree: Roll your puff pastry slightly. Cut into two large identical triangles (Christmas tree shape).
4. Fill it: Spread your spinach-artichoke mixture on one of the triangles.
5. Top it: Place the second triangle on top and gently press edges to seal.
6. Create branches: Slice branches on both sides of the tree, leaving the center intact. Twist each strip.
7. Brush + bake: Brush with egg wash and bake for 18–22 minutes or until golden and puffy.
8. Serve warm and watch it disappear!

Tips for the BEST Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

• Thaw your puff pastry completely — cold puff pastry cracks when unfolded.
• Drain your spinach WELL. Excess water = soggy tree.
• Use a chef’s knife or pizza cutter for sharp, clean cuts.
• Don’t overfill. Too much filling makes twisting harder.
• Brush with egg wash for that perfect golden bakery-style finish.
• Add chili flakes if you like a little kick!

How to Serve This Puff Pastry Christmas Tree for Holiday Hosting

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how effortlessly it fits into any holiday menu. Whether you’re hosting a cozy Christmas movie night with your kids, putting together a festive appetizer spread for friends, or bringing a dish to a potluck, this tree truly shines. It looks beautiful on the table and invites everyone to gather around and pull off a warm, flaky “branch.” It’s the kind of food that makes people smile before they even take a bite.

Here are a few ways to serve it beautifully:

Create a Simple Holiday Appetizer Board

Place the puff pastry tree in the center of a large wooden board and surround it with small bowls of extras:

• Cranberry sauce
• Marinara
• A creamy ranch or garlic dip
• Fresh herbs
• Cherry tomatoes
• Sliced apples or pears
• Crackers or toasted baguette

Guests can build little festive bites, and it makes your food spread feel instantly more abundant.

Serve It With Soup or Salad

If you’re serving this as part of a holiday dinner, pairing it with a bright, fresh salad or a warm bowl of soup balances the richness of the pastry. I love it alongside my Red & Green Chopped Salad or with a comforting tomato basil soup. It turns a simple recipe into something worthy of a special winter evening.

Perfect For Kids and Adults Alike

My kids especially love pulling off the branches (and stealing the crispy edges). It’s one of those dishes that looks fun, feels fun, and encourages everyone to linger around the food, which is exactly what the holidays are about. It’s also mild and cozy, so even picky little eaters usually go back for another piece.

Brunch Friendly!

This is a sneaky-good addition to a Christmas brunch menu. The creamy spinach-artichoke filling is savory enough to balance sweet brunch dishes like cinnamon rolls or fruit salads. Add a little bowl of scrambled eggs or fresh berries on the side and you have the easiest brunch ever.

Storing & Reheating

If you have leftovers, which rarely happens around here they store wonderfully.

To Store:

Place cooled pieces in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.

To Reheat:

Warm in a 350°F oven for 6–8 minutes.
This brings the pastry back to life and makes it crisp and flaky again.
(Microwaving works in a pinch, but the pastry won’t be as crisp.)

To Freeze:

You can freeze the unbaked assembled tree on a sheet pan. Once solid, wrap tightly and store for up to 2 months.
Bake from frozen, adding 5–8 minutes to the bake time.

Variations to Try

Once you know this method, you can make a Christmas tree out of almost anything! Here are a few ideas my family loves:

Pesto & Mozzarella Christmas Tree

Bright, aromatic, and so simple.

Pizza Puff Pastry Tree

Marinara, mozzarella, pepperoni — the kids devour this one.

Jalapeño Popper Tree

Cream cheese, cheddar, jalapeños, and bacon for a little spice.

Sweet Nutella Tree

Skip the savory filling and use Nutella for a dessert version!

These little variations make this recipe one you can use all season long, brunch, parties, classroom events, cozy nights in, you name it.

Holiday Hosting Made Easy

One of the reasons I love sharing recipes like this is because they take the stress out of holiday cooking. Puff pastry is so forgiving, and the filling comes together in minutes. You can prep it ahead, bake it right before guests arrive, and suddenly your home feels warm, inviting, and festive.

During such a busy time of year, kids activities, school events, shopping, holiday schedules it feels good to have a recipe that delivers joy without a ton of effort. This is one of those dishes that makes you look like you did the most… when really, it was so simple.

I hope this becomes one of those recipes that brings a little extra sparkle to your holiday season. 💛✨

Serving Suggestions

Pair your Spinach & Artichoke Christmas Tree with:

• My Red & Green Christmas Chopped Salad for color & freshness
• A bowl of holiday honey butter baked carrots
• Cranberry sauce on the side for dipping (trust me!)
• A festive charcuterie board
• Tomato soup for a cozy moment

Make-Ahead Instructions

YES! This is an amazing prep-ahead holiday appetizer.

To prep ahead:
Assemble the entire tree (including twists), place on a parchment-lined tray, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

To freeze:
Assemble, freeze solid, then wrap well. Bake from frozen, adding 5–7 extra minutes.

Your holiday hosting just got 100x easier. 🎄💁🏻‍♀️

Affiliate Favorites (Tools I Use & Love)

• 🥄 My favorite baking sheet – perfect for puff pastry!
• 🔪 The chef’s knife I use daily
• 🍴 Silicone pastry brushes (for the perfect egg wash)
• 🎄 Holiday serving board for that Pinterest-perfect presentation

Other recipes to try:

• Cheesy Garlic Pull-Apart Christmas Tree Bread
• Red & Green Christmas Chopped Salad
• Reindeer Crunch Snack Mix
• Spinach & Cheese Puff Pastry Pinwheels
• Easy Tri Tip in the Oven

Final Thoughts

This Spinach & Artichoke Puff Pastry Christmas Tree is truly a holiday MUST. It’s easy, festive, cheesy, and instantly puts everyone in a Christmas mood. I’ve made so many versions of puff pastry trees, and this one is hands-down the most flavorful and most impressive, with minimal effort.

If you make this recipe, tag me on Instagram @kayscleaneats I LOVE seeing your holiday creations!! 🎄💛 And if you’re hosting this year, do yourself a favor and double the recipe… your guests will not be chill about how good this is.

FAQ

Can I use frozen spinach?

Yes! Just thaw it fully and squeeze out ALL the liquid so your pastry stays crispy.

Can I assemble this ahead?

Absolutely, this is one of the best make-ahead recipes for the holidays. Refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

Can I use a different cheese?

Yes ! Mozzarella makes it melty, but you can also use fontina, Monterey jack, or a mix.

What other fillings work?

Pesto, bacon & cheddar, caramelized onion & feta, pizza filling, or jalapeño popper filling!

How do I reheat leftovers?

Bake at 350°F for 6–8 minutes to re-crisp the puff pastry. Avoid microwaving.