Apéro snacks

Baking for an apéro means making small bites that disappear in two mouthfuls yet look well thought out. Here you will find around 100 items for tartlets, filled pastry horns, cheese pastries and starters in glasses or moulds. The apéro is a Swiss classic, and with the right tin it works just as well at home.

Which tins and ingredients suit an apéro?

• Tartlets and tarts: design tart tins with removable bases in round (Ø 8, 20, 25, 30 cm), oval and heart shapes, plus non-stick tartlet tins (Ø 10 and 12 cm).
• Pastry horns and rolls: pastry horns and cannoli tubes in several sizes, for example from Ø 1.3 x 8 cm to Ø 4 x 12 cm.
• Starters in shape: dessert rings from Ø 5.5 to 9 cm, starter and dessert moulds with ejector or stamp (Piccolinos).
• Mini bakes: perforated silicone baking mats for small round and square pieces, Ø 9 cm baking cases, croissant cutters and pinwheel cutters for puff pastry.
• Bread to share: octagonal party bread tin and a bread roll tray.
• Ingredients: Mediterranean tiger paste and tiger paste with pepper and sea salt, baking malt, dried yeast, vegetable and herb powders.

Preparing an apéro: tips from our bakery

For an apéro it pays to prepare dough and filling separately. Bake tartlet cases and pastry horns ahead and fill them just before serving so they stay crisp. Pastry horns are shaped by wrapping puff pastry around a metal tube: filled with a savoury cream cheese they become a bite, with cinnamon cream a dessert. Perforated silicone mats help mini rolls and biscuits bake evenly because air can circulate.

Dessert rings are versatile. Layer starters such as salmon, cream cheese and cucumber, then carefully lift off the ring. Choose the height to suit the dish: from 3.5 to 6 cm. Be generous with quantities: at a standing apéro, guests usually eat several small pieces each, which is why mini tins are handy.

Choosing the right tin

• Mini quiches or sweet tartlets: tart tins Ø 8 to 12 cm.
• Filled rolls and pastry horns: pastry tubes, depending on the length you want.
• Layered starters: dessert rings.
• A pull-apart loaf for the buffet: party bread tin.

Frequently asked questions

Can I prepare apéro bakes in advance?

Yes. Bake bases, sticks and pastry horns the day before and store them dry. Fill just before serving. For ideas see the Chäschüächli, the cheese sticks or the Parmesan crisps.

How is this different from the Cooking and Pasta categories?

Here the focus is on small tins and bites. For casserole dishes, cast iron and spices go to Cooking, for fresh pasta to Pasta.

Is there a course on the topic?

Yes, in the quick and simple apéro course in Adliswil you learn fast apéro ideas. More inspiration in the main category Savoury.