Quick puff pastry recipes
Unexpected guests. Not sure what to make for dinner. You’re a bit peckish. Feeling like creating something amazing out of ‘nothing’? Enter puff pastry.
This is that underdog ingredient you seem to forget, but is actually so versatile that if you keep one of these guys in your fridge or freezer, it’s guaranteed you’ll use it up within a week. Twists, pockets, tarts, stars – we have a favourite for all these shapes!
1. Sweet – chocolate hazelnut twists
All you need for this recipe is your puff pastry rolled out, a muffin tin greased, and your oven pre-heated to 190 degrees Celsius.
Cut the pastry in half along the shorter edge, so you’re left with two pieces.
Spread hazelnut spread evenly over dough to within 1/4 inch of sides; sprinkle with hazelnuts.
Fold the remaining pastry over the one with the spread.
Press firmly and seal edges. Cut into 8 strips. Twist each strip 7 to 9 times; shape into tight coil.
Place 1 coil in each muffin cup.
Bake until golden brown, let it cool, sprinkle with caster sugar and enjoy!
2. Savoury – bacon and egg breakfast pockets
Super easy and freezer-friendly: cut squares of your puff pastry and sprinkle scrambled eggs, bacon and cheese on top (to your liking, but be careful not to overdo it).
Fold the puff pastry square in half in the shape of a triangle, pressing the sides together, then sealing the sides together with a fork.
Brush the tops and sides with egg wash.
Bake for about 15 minutes in a 200 degrees Celsius oven or until golden brown.
To freeze, wait for the pockets to cool completely, put them in freezer bags and when you’re ready for breakfast reheat in the microwave for about 1 minute and 30 seconds.
3. Sweet – peaches & cream tart
Ingredients
1 sheet of puff pastry
8 oz cream cheese, softened (try vegan cream cheese for a vegan recipe)
2 tablespoons of maple syrup
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1-2 teaspoons butter, melted (try vegan butter for a vegan recipe)
1-2 tbsp sugar
2 cups of peaches, sliced (don’t go too thin)
1/2 cup fresh blueberries (or frozen berries, thawed)
Using an electric handheld mixer, beat the softened cream cheese with the maple syrup, and vanilla extract on medium speed until whipped and smooth.
Place the puff pastry on a floured baking sheet and use a rolling pin or a chilled bottle of wine to roll it into a 13”x9”rectangle.
Using a paring knife, thinly trace a 1 inch border around the dough, but don’t slice through. Use a fork to prick the centre of the pastry all over (but not the border).
Brush the border with the melted butter and sprinkle on the sugar.
Spoon the cream cheese mixture on the pastry, but leave the border uncovered. Top with peaches and blueberry.
Bake the tart in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and lightly puffed.
4. Savoury – Parmesan puff stars
A real party favourite, guests will enjoy the festive shapes but don’t worry, if you’re short on time just go for squares with a knife – they won’t mind!
Roll your puff pastry out.
Use a star shaped cookie cutter to cut out individual pastry stars and place half of them on the baking sheet.
Add parmesan cheese and top with another puff pastry star.
Using the beaten egg, apply a thin layer of egg wash to the top of each pastry star so you end up with a pastry star sandwich. You can sprinkle a little cheese on top too, if you’d like.
Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden and puffed up.
Sprinkle with chopped chives and a pinch of salt.
Serve immediately or keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days.