Homemade Crispy Pastries

There’s something magical about the crunch of freshly baked crispy pastries. Whether you enjoy them with a sweet glaze or filled with savory goodness, these golden delights never fail to impress. Perfect for tea time, breakfast, or an indulgent snack, this recipe will help you achieve bakery-level flakiness right at home.

Ingredients:

For the pastry dough:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp sugar (optional, for sweet pastries)
• 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
• ½ cup cold water
• 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar

For the filling (choose sweet or savory):

• Sweet option: ½ cup fruit preserves or sweet cream cheese filling
• Savory option: ½ cup cooked spinach and feta, or ham and cheese

For the glaze (optional):

• 1 egg, beaten (for brushing)
• 1 tbsp sugar or sesame seeds for topping

• Instructions:

  1. Make the Dough:
     • In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, and sugar.
     • Add the chilled butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.
     • Mix cold water with lemon juice, then gradually add it to the dough until it comes together.
     • Form the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  2. Prepare the Filling:
     • Choose your filling: sweet (fruit preserves, cream cheese) or savory (spinach and feta, ham and cheese).
     • Ensure fillings are cool and not overly moist.
  3. Assemble the Pastries:
     • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
     • Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about ¼ inch thick. Cut into rectangles or desired shapes.
     • Place a small amount of filling on one side of each pastry, leaving a border. Fold over, press edges to seal, and crimp with a fork.
  4. Add the Finishing Touch:
     • Place pastries on the prepared baking sheet. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar or sesame seeds, depending on your choice of sweet or savory.
  5. Bake:
     • Bake in the preheated oven for 18–22 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
     • Let cool slightly before serving.
     • Enjoy these crispy pastries warm or at room temperature! They’re a perfect canvas for your favorite fillings and make any moment a little more special.