Cheese and Bacon Turnovers may not be everyone’s first choice when thinking about a quick wee snack to make at home. But it’s time for that to change.
We believe that when you want a tasty treat that delivers such a massive amount of flavour, you can’t go wrong with cheese and bacon turnovers.
We know, we know, usually, they’re something you might buy from a high street bakery; we’re looking at you, Greggs.
But cheese and bacon turnovers are so simple and such a classic flavour combination; why would you not make them at home?
Much like our Scotch Pie and Forfar Bridies recipes!
What are Cheese and Bacon Turnovers?
Cheese and bacon turnovers combine three classic ingredients, cheese, bacon and pastry, and create one of life’s perfect savoury snacks.
We’re not sure if it’s a UK thing though, but for those that may not have enjoyed a cheese and bacon turnover we’ll do our best to describe them for you. Their deliciousness is simple and comes from the combination of the main ingredients.
The taste of melted cheese and the salty smokiness of the bacon combine perfectly on the square of crisp, golden puff pastry that they rest on. The corners of the square are turned over, surrounding the contents creating the perfect snack and giving it its name.
Every bite is delicious, but don’t just take our word for it.
You may think we’re overselling something so simple, but they are a little bit special when they’re made right, like ours. And, sometimes, the simple things need to be celebrated!
Where did Cheese and Bacon Turnovers originate?
Like many of our recipes, cheese and bacon turnovers have been with us so long that their origins are lost. Well, at least they are to us.
The combination of cheese and bacon is certainly not a new thing though. Both cheese and bacon have a history that is thousands of years old.
We can assume at some point, since Claude Gelée accidentally created puff pastry in France around 1645, someone decided to bring all three things together.
Making the cheese and bacon turnover potentially over 350 years old!
What a happy accident that must have been!
Cheese and Bacon Turnovers here in the UK
We may not know where they originated from, but we do know that bakeries across Britain have been selling cheese and bacon turnovers to a very willing public for as long as anyone can remember.
Greggs, a nationwide chain of bakeries here in the UK, has sold cheese and bacon turnovers, or wraps as they call them, for decades. We prefer to shop local, but Greggs do make an excellent turnover if you’re out and about!
That being said, with such simple ingredients and taking no time at all to get from fridge to plate, why wouldn’t you make your own Greggs cheese and bacon wrap? Fake it while you make it?
Plus, it’s cheaper to make your own. You can make a batch that will last a few days, though ours never seem to.
Things you need to make the Cheese and Bacon Turnovers
- Baking sheet or baking tray
- Parchment paper
- Pastry brush
- Sharp knife
- Chopping board
Ingredients needed to make the Cheese and Bacon Turnovers
- 375g pastry (one pack of ready-rolled pastry)
- 6x Smoked bacon rashers or 12x streaky bacon rashers
- 100g Grated strong cheddar cheese
- 1 whisked egg
Bacon
When it comes to the type of bacon you use, it is really down to you. You can use unsmoked or smoked, streaky or normal rashers. You can also use bacon medallions if you wish.
We didn’t pre-cook the bacon as we think it gets long enough in the oven, but if you like really crispy bacon, then precook the bacon before adding it to the pastry and carry on with the method.
Cheese
We like to use a good strong mature cheddar cheese for more flavour, but you can experiment with the cheese of your choice.
Just be aware of how long each cheese takes to melt. You don’t want to end up with a puddle of cheese and uncooked pastry!
Pastry
We’re not going to lie. We’ve never made our own pastry for these. We just buy premade, ready-rolled-out puff pastry. One pack is perfect for 6 turnovers.
The joy of a cheese and bacon turnover is their ease. Making puff pastry would undoubtedly add to the time it takes to make them!
Egg
The egg is simply used for glazing the pastries before they are put in the oven, but milk will do an equally good job if eggs aren’t for you.
How to make the Cheese and Bacon turnovers – Step-by-step method
First, you will need to preheat the oven to 210 degrees or 190 if you are using a fan-assisted oven. Then, line your chosen baking tray with parchment paper so the pastries don’t stick.
Take the pastry of your choice, and either divide it or roll it out so that you can cut it into 6 equal squares. You can use a knife or even a pizza cutter for ease. Then add them to your large baking sheet. Some pre-rolled pastry comes with its own sheet, so you can leave it on that.
Lay the bacon of your choice diagonally on the pastry. If you are using streaky bacon, you may want to add two pieces of bacon per square of pastry. Then sprinkle a liberal amount of cheese over the bacon.
Fold one corner of the pastry square into the centre of the square, use a small amount of water on the top of the corner and then fold the opposite corner into the centre, on top of the first one, to seal it together to create the turnover.
Brush egg wash on each pastry and then place them on your baking tray. Repeat this until you’ve made your six cheese and bacon turnovers.
Bake in your oven for 15-20 minutes until the pastry turns golden brown and the bacon is nicely cooked.
After removing from the oven, move to a wire rack so the bottom doesn’t go soggy.
How to serve the Cheese and Bacon Turnovers
Your cheese and bacon turnovers are best served warm and fresh out of the oven. Give them a little time on the wire rack to cool, then dive right in.
They’re also the perfect snack to enjoy on the go and can be eaten cold. If you need to warm them up, put them back in the oven for 10 minutes or in the microwave for 1 minute.
We suggest the oven for this as the microwave might make the pastry go slightly soggy.
Cheese and bacon turnovers are as versatile as you want them to be, beyond enjoying them as a snack. What about as part of a picnic or as a perfect breakfast on the go? Great for all you commuters. You don’t have to get a coffee and a bagel!
Variations of Cheese and Bacon Turnovers to try
Different cheeses
You can use whatever cheese you like for this recipe. If you like strong flavours, then mature cheddar is a great option, but you can also choose milder alternatives.
You can also look at various kinds of cheese. One of our favourite variations so far has been using Arran Cheddar with chilli; it packs a punch that is so good you’ll struggle not to go back for more!
Add a chutney or sauce
Another great option would be to spread some chutney or a sauce before adding your bacon. This could be as simple tomato sauce, HP or onion chutney, or even some mustard.
Dijon mustard provides a great burst of flavour, but don’t add too much; you’ll lose the flavour of the turnover!
Ultimately, it all depends on what flavours you enjoy. Try as many as you can, but do let us know in the comments which worked the best.
Make smaller turnovers
We have made six from the quantities shared above, but you can choose to make smaller turnovers if you wish. Ideal if you are just using bacon medallions or just want to chop your bacon into smaller pieces.
These quantities will easily make 8 or 12 smaller turnovers if you want but do make sure you adjust the cooking time. They won’t take as long in the oven.
FAQs
How do I store the cheese and bacon turnovers?
Let cheese and bacon turnovers cool completely, then add them to an airtight container. You can then store them in the fridge for up to two days. Then reheat or enjoy cold.
Are the cheese and bacon turnovers healthy?
Let’s be honest, pastry, bacon and cheese are not usually a combination that you would deem healthy, but in moderation, they are not too bad for you at all. You are looking at a calorie count of approximately 360.
Can you make this cheese and bacon turnovers recipe gluten-free?
This is all about the pastry, but you can make a gluten-free option by choosing to buy the free-from version in your local supermarket.
The pastry may have a different texture and flavour, but the bacon and cheese will certainly make up for it.
On a side note, do check your cheese is gluten-free. Most are, but be careful of any with additional ingredients.
Would the air fryer work for this recipe?
This is a great recipe to use the air fryer and will make flaky puff pastry turnovers. Pop them in batches into your air fryer basket and cook for 10-12 minutes.
We hope you enjoy making and eating your delicious cheese and bacon turnovers, do let us know what variations you come up with!
The Easiest Cheese and Bacon Turnovers Recipe
These Cheese and Bacon Turnovers are so easy to make and amazing to eat, they're a must-try for every household.
Ingredients
- 375g pastry (one pack of ready-rolled pastry)
- 6x Smoked bacon rashers or 12x streaky bacon rashers
- 100g Grated strong cheddar cheese
- 1 whisked egg
Instructions
- First, you will need to preheat the oven to 210 degrees or 190 if you are using a fan-assisted oven. Then, line your chosen baking tray with parchment paper so the pastries don’t stick.
- Take the pastry of your choice, and either divide it or roll it out so that you can cut it into 6 equal squares. You can use a knife or even a pizza cutter for ease. Then add them to your large baking sheet.
- Lay the bacon of your choice diagonally on the pastry. If you are using streaky bacon, you may want to add two pieces of bacon per square of pastry. Then sprinkle a liberal amount of cheese over the bacon.
- Fold one corner of the pastry square into the centre of the square, use a small amount of water on the top of the corner and then fold the opposite corner into the centre, on top of the first one, to seal it together to create the turnover.
- Brush egg wash on each pastry and then place them on your baking tray. Repeat this until you've made your six cheese and bacon turnovers.
- Bake in your oven for 15-20 minutes until the pastry turns golden brown and the bacon is nicely cooked.
- After removing from the oven, move to a wire rack so the bottom doesn’t go soggy.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 354Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 88mgSodium: 425mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 2gSugar: 11gProtein: 11g
These values are an indication only.
More easy recipes to try:
- Easy Cheese and Marmite Scones Recipe
- Simple Date Scone Recipe
- Easy & Authentic Scotch Pie Recipe
- Forfar Bridie Recipe – Scottish Handheld Meat Pies
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