Easy Spam Triangles

A party-app throwback that deserves a second look. Refrigerated pie crust gets cut into wedges and filled with a mix of cubed Spam, shredded Gouda, diced apple, and a spoon of onion dip, then sealed into triangles and baked until golden.

The apple is the sleeper ingredient. Fresh crisp apple cubes (use Honeycrisp or Granny Smith) add pops of sweet-tart contrast against the salty Spam and rich Gouda. Without it, the filling skews one-note; with it, the whole thing feels balanced.

Smoked Gouda takes this from novelty to legit hors d’oeuvre. Its mellow smokiness reinforces the Spam’s cured flavor and melts smoothly without leaking. Regular cheddar works as a substitute, but the flavor profile is noticeably less sophisticated.

The onion dip is the binder that holds the filling together. It adds creaminess without the need for mayo, and its herbal seasoning flavors every bite. A sour cream-based dip works better here than a cream cheese one.

Egg white wash serves two purposes: it seals the edges of the triangle so filling doesn’t leak during baking, and it provides glue for the poppy seeds sprinkled on top. A full egg wash (yolk included) browns darker but works too.

Kitchen Tips

• Peel and dice the apple finely (no bigger than ¼ inch) so it cooks through in the 15-20 minute bake.
• Press the fork tines firmly along the edges to seal. Loose crimps open during baking and leak filling.
• Let triangles cool 5 minutes before serving. Hot filling is molten and burns mouths.

Variations

• Swap Spam for diced ham or cooked bacon for a less novelty-feeling version.
• Use pear instead of apple for a softer, more perfumed fruit note.
• Finish with flaky sea salt on top for a more refined presentation.