33 Next-Level Things To Do With Puff Pastry
This flaky dough is a real game-changer in the kitchen.
Think of the flaky layers in a croissant, then imagine them in everything from appetizers to desserts. Sounds awesome, right? Puff pastry dough makes it all possible. It's a real game-changer in the kitchen, but making it from scratch is a rather involved process, including lots of butter and lots of dough folding. Luckily, buying frozen or store-bought is a cinch and works just as well. We always keep a stash of the stuff in our freezer, and recommend you do too. Check out our 33 best puff pastry recipes for inspiration on what to do with it (hint: EVERYTHING).
The best part about puff pastry is how EASY it is to use it to create impressive dishes that look way more difficult than they actually are. You can let the puff pastry do all the work, and keep all the flaky, layered glory for yourself. Want to impress at brunch? Make our mini bacon asparagus quiches (so no one has to share), or our giant fruit danish (so everyone does!). Having last-minute guests over? Wrap some brie in puff pastry and bake— in less than half an hour you’ll have an appetizer sure to wow your guests. Looking for hand-held options? Try our spinach bites (stuffed with spinach and artichoke dip) or our brie, asparagus & prosciutto bundles—they kill at parties. Puff pastry can even assist with making a great dinner, like our turkey meatball pie or beef Wellington. And truly, is there ever a bad time for a seasonal fruit or vegetable tart? We’re enjoying them from breakfast to dessert, all year round.
Some tips for puff pastry success: Keep it COLD. Store it in the freezer until the night before you’re ready to use it. Thaw in the refrigerator, and only pull it out right before assembly time. Even though you’re using store-bought dough, you’re still going to want to break out the flour to keep it from sticking to your countertops (get some on your apron too, for added authenticity 😜). For best results, chill again before baking to guarantee the perfect flaky, puffed layers.
Brie, Asparagus & Prosciutto Bundles
Flaky, buttery puff pastry is stuffed with prosciutto, asparagus, and brie and brushed all over with a salted honey butter for these fancy-looking appetizers. They're perfect for any spring occasion.
Beef Wellington
Some people like to make their own puff pastry for their Beef Wellington. Those people are crazy. Well, maybe not crazy, but definitely overachievers. We've found that, not only is store bought puff pastry much more convenient, but it's also incredibly delicious. We're particularly fond of this brand, and honestly don't think we could make a better version if we tried.
Get the Beef Wellington recipe.
Napoleon Cake
Elegant in its simplicity, this creamy cool dessert is summer at its best. It's got layers and layers of flaky puff pastry and homemade vanilla pastry cream, covered with more pastry cream and puff pastry crumbs and decorated with fresh fruit. It might take a little more time than your average dessert, but it is SO worth it.
Get the Napoleon Cake recipe.
Tomato & Brie Tart
Summer tomatoes shine alongside melty cheese in this eye-catching tart. Slice it up into small pieces for the perfect summer appetizer, or into large ones and serve as an entrée with a peppery arugula salad. Got leftovers? Top them with a fried egg for a filling breakfast.
Get the Tomato & Brie Tart recipe.
Baked Brie in Puff Pastry
We filled ours with raspberry jam, but use your favorite spread or jelly. Drizzle it with some honey and you'll have a warm, cheesy app that feels extra fancy in no time at all.
Get the Baked Brie In Puff Pastry recipe.
Tarte Tatin
This classic tart construction relies on fruit being laid over caramel then topped with puff pastry. The caramel might be a little tricky, but we promise going low and slow and resisting the urge to stir is the way to make sure that you have the perfect caramelized bottom.
Get the Tarte Tatin recipe.
Spinach Puffs
If you love baked spinach dip, you'll love these baked puff pastry puffs. They're filled with a mixture of sautéed onion, garlic, spinach, and cream cheese and baked inside little puff pastry cups in a muffin tin. Bet you can't eat just one!
Get the Spinach Puffs recipe.
Giant Fruit Danish
This super-sized pastry is best served with copious amounts of coffee. 😋 The raspberry jam can easily be swapped out for your favorite fruit conserve, and a dusting of powdered sugar once cooled can replace the glaze.
Get the Giant Fruit Danish recipe.
Palmiers
French palmiers, also known as elephant ears due to their shape, are delicious and so simple to make. Sugar is sprinkled on top of flaky layers of puff pastry and then rolled so that when cut the cookies look like little hearts. So cute!
Get the Easy Palmiers recipe.
Cheese Straws
These cheese straws are studded with cheddar, green onions, and sesame seeds for the most flavor-packed app we've ever had.
Get the Cheese Straws recipe.
Tomato Tart
Put those perfect summer tomatoes to good use in this stunning tomato and feta tart. It requires just few simple ingredients (and almost no effort). Store-bought puff pastry gives you a buttery, flaky crust without the fuss of making your own crust.
Get the Tomato Tart recipe.
French Apple Tart
This tart is so easy to make and uses a store-bought puff pastry, meaning it can be ready in under an hour. The glaze uses a little Grand Marnier, which can be left out or replaced with rum or cognac. It really brings the whole tart together and we highly recommend it!
Get the French Apple Tart recipe.
Galette De Rois
While Mardi Gras king cake is made of a yeasted dough rolled with a cinnamon sugar filling, galette de rois is made of puff pastry sheets filled with almond frangipane and jam. Prior to baking, the puff pastry is scored and egg washed, giving the final pastry a beautiful golden hue.
Get the Galette De Rois recipe.
Pear, Blue Cheese, and Maple Puff Pastry Tarts
Grab some bubbly and toast to this this super-classy five-ingredient tart—all you need is puff pastry, pears, cream cheese, blue cheese, and a drizzle of maple syrup!
Get the Pear, Blue Cheese, and Maple Puff Pastry Tarts recipe.
Peach Roses
Use store-bought puff pastry and peach jam to turn out these sweet desserts in no time!
Get the Peach Roses recipe.
Salami Pinwheels
Boursin (or any other goat cheese you like), fontina, and salami come together to make the perfect app for any occasion, from game day to holiday parties. Don't skip that chopped parsley if you want a fancier vibe.
Get the Salami Pinwheels recipe.
Caramel Apple Tart
No one needs to know how ridiculously simple this four-ingredient dessert really is—all you need is puff pastry, cinnamon, caramel sauce, and apples to make this impressive and delicious stunner.
Get the Caramel Apple Tart recipe.
Copycat McDonald's Apple Pie
Our take on McDonald's apple pie skips the deep fry and is baked instead for an easier take on the fast food favorite.
Get the McDonald's Apple Pie recipe.
Beef Wellington Bites
Turn classic beef Wellington into the perfect appetizer with these little bites. It's all made possible thanks to the convenience of store-bought puff pastry.
Get the Beef Wellington Bites recipe.
Broccoli Cheddar Hand Pies
These savory pastries make the perfect handheld lunch. Feel free to get creative with the fillings if you're not a fan of broccoli—cheddar and cream cheese go with nearly every vegetable.
Get the Broccoli Cheddar Hand Pies recipe.
Camille Lowder is the digital food producer at Delish, otherwise known as our resident queen of recipe galleries. Previously, she attended the Natural Gourmet Institute for culinary school and worked at/managed a number of New York restaurants. She loves anything vegan, foods masquerading as other foods (hello, cauliflower), and a well-used Oxford comma.
