It’s true you can always buy frozen puff pastry at any grocery store. But, in less than the time it takes for the frozen puff pastry to thaw, you can make your own from scratch. I have a simple recipe I learned at L’Academie de Cuisine in Maryland, that is the one I turn to time and again. I just adapted it to make a larger quantity and also to give you a bit of a more detailed description.
The key to making good puff pastry dough, or any flaky dough for that matter, is keeping everything very cold (well the flour and salt are fine at room temp!). You’ll want to cut your butter into chunks while being very cold.
Begin by simply placing your flour and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Add your chunks of butter and pulse several times (about 10 times) until the butter chunks are reduced to pieces about the size of peas. Feel free to use your hands to feel the mixture to estimate the size of the butter pieces.
Next, slowly pour in the water, make sure it’s very cold (I even put it in the freezer for a few minutes), while pulsing the mixture until a very crumbly dough forms. Here’s a photo of what your dough will look like when it’s ready to turn out…
Turn the crumbly dough out onto a lightly floured surface and carefully gather it together with your hands. Do not knead the dough, as we are actually trying not to form gluten strands.
Puff pastry “puffs” due to a series of rolling, turning, and folding the dough. After you’ve gathered your dough into a single piece, lightly flour a rolling pin and roll it into a somewhat triangular shape.
Now fold the two bottom ends inward to meet, and fold the top end down to make the dough resemble an envelope…
Once you have your envelope, turn the dough a quarter turn clockwise. Roll it out, again; this time into a rectangular shape. And fold the top and bottom edges in lengthwise to meet in the middle…
Then, fold the whole thing in half…
Now you’ll just turn the dough another quarter turn clockwise and repeat the whole rolling and folding process one more time. Triangle, fold, rectangle, fold, fold again: and you have homemade puff pastry! Wrap and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes and it’s ready to use.
Puff Pastry
Recipe Yield
Cooking time
Rate this recipe
Ingredients
- 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour plus more for rolling out dough
- 3/4 pound very cold butter (3 sticks), cut into chunks
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt
- 3/4 cup very cold water
To Prepare
- Place flour and salt into the bowl of a food processor. Add the chunks of butter and pulse a few times, until the butter is incorporated in large pieces (about the size of a pea).
- Slowly pour in the cold water while pulsing until a very crumbly dough is formed. Turn dough out onto a clean, lightly floured workspace and gently push it together with your hands – do not knead.
- Rolling and folding the dough: 1. With a lightly floured rolling pin, roll out dough into a roughly triangular shape. Use your hands to fold the two bottom tips of the triangle inward and the top down, like an envelope.
- 2. Turn the dough a quarter-turn clockwise and roll out, again, into a rectangle this time. Fold the two ends lengthwise into the middle to meet. Then fold the dough in half across.
- Turn the dough another quarter-turn clockwise, and repeat steps 1 and 2 above one more time, turning the dough a quarter-turn clockwise each time.
- Wrap the puff pastry in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use. Refrigerate for at least 45 minutes before using.
Comments
63comments inPuff Pastry: Basic Recipe
Bobbi Feldser
Jan 20
Thank you so much for the great recipe.
Pati Jinich
Jan 29
Glad you liked it Bobbi!
MANUELA Cavazos
Jul 18
I love plain pastry. Thx. BLESSINGS ❤
Pati Jinich
Jul 20
I do too!!!
Carlos Ayala
Sep 26
I have NEVER seen a homemade puff pastry recipe until I watched you make Orejitas on your show!! (One of my favorite pastries, by the way!) Every other cooking show I’ve seen, the hosts always say to use store bought and that it’s too daunting to make at home. I do buy puff pastry myself, just to save on time. But it’s so much easier than I thought. With that kind of dough, I usually love making this UK dish called sausage rolls, which is basically ground pork with seasonings baked in the puff pastry (kind of like pigs in a blanket, almost). Would this recipe work well for that, too?
P.S. I definitely plan to make your Orejitas as well!!
Pati Jinich
Oct 05
Thanks so much Carlos, I think that this puff pastry will definitely hold to make your sausage rolls; let me know how they come out. And enjoy the orejitas 😉
Carlos Ayala
Oct 09
I have yet to make the sausage rolls, but I made the orejitas and they were DELICIOUS!!
Yoanda Cubas
Oct 24
Finally I found an easy recipe for puff pastry dough. Great job!!
Pati Jinich
Oct 27
So glad you liked it Yoanda 😉
Evgenia
Jul 23
Dear Pati:
Thank you so much for your wonderful program! Your food brings extra zest to our lives! We love it a lot!
Also, it is nice that we could get acquainted with Mexico’s geography and history in such a details.
I have a question: I could not find one particular recipe. Once I was watching your program – you was cooking some kind of fruit cake, using layers of dried white bread slices and chunks of yellow mango and some other fruits. What was the name of this pastry? Somehow my search on this site yields nothing so far.
Thank you, Pati!
I am looking forward for more of your programs.
Pati Jinich
Jul 26
Thanks so much Evgenia for your kind words. The recipe you are looking for is Capirotada and here it is for you, hope you enjoy it! http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/traditional-capirotada-with-mango-and-plantains/
Georgina
Jun 07
Dear Pati:
Love your recipes, love your program!
Can I use your puff pastry recipe to make croissants? I tried to make them with puff pastry from the supermarket, but I think I rolled the pastry too thin and they were raw in the middle.
What is the right thickness to achieve nice ones?
I am from Veracruz, my daughter is CHILANGA like you 😊!
Pati Jinich
Jun 07
Hola Georgina! I don’t know about croissants but how about using this puff pastry to make Orejas http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/chocolate-dipped-orejas/ or Campechanas http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/campechanas/ ? Enjoy!
Anonymous
Jun 08
Go to Pinterest for crossiants
Chris Arispe
Apr 12
What happens after?how do you prepare and bake?
The recipe stops at prepare the Pastry dough.
Pati Jinich
Apr 16
Hi Chris! Well, once you have your puff pastry you use it to prepare something else. For example, if you want something sweet here is this recipe for delicious Orejas http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/chocolate-dipped-orejas/ or if you prefer something savory you may try this Casserole http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/tuna-minilla-casserole/ or these empanadas http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/sardine-empanadas-2/ Enjoy!
Darlene
Oct 13
Pati, I can not find your recipe for Cinnamon Rolls, and your Pumpkin Seed crack Candy?
Pati
Oct 13
Of course, Darlene….here they are: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/dulce-de-leche-pecan-cinnamon-rolls/ http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/pepita-brittle/
Cristelo Padron Jr.
Jul 07
Can u use margarine?
Pati
Jul 13
Well, it is much better with butter, Cristelo. But if you try it with margarine and like it, let me know!
Lisa Lopez
Feb 22
Hello Pati,
I have always wanted to learn how to bake a few pieces of Pan Dulce, Campechanas are one of my favorites. I live in Kansas City, do you know of any place near that may teach classes. I will try your recipe, but I would love a hands on class to get it right.
thank you,
Pati
Feb 22
I’m not sure of any classes in your area…but I hope you enjoy the recipe, Lisa!
Guadalupe
Nov 17
Hi Paty. If I don’t have a food processor can I mix the butter with a pastry cutter? (I think that’s the name) 😁
Pati
Nov 21
Sure…or you can also use a knife to dice the butter into pea-sized pieces and combine everything by hand in a mixing bowl.
Betty
Oct 14
PattiThis question is not about puff pastry, but about your recipe for the chocolate tres leche cake (sp) you made with almond flour and everything was put in blender. I cannot find that recipe anywhere. Please help.
Pati
Oct 20
Here it is Betty! http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/almond-and-chocolate-leche-cake/
Daniel
Dec 24
Hola Richard
The name is Campechanas and it is a typical flaky piece with caramelized sugar on top, it comes from Patzcuaro Michoacan
Dalia
Nov 10
X favor dime si la butter es con o sin sal….? Gracias
Pati
Nov 11
Sin sal… Unsalted butter 🙂
Susan Auld Powell
Oct 16
I live in Overland Park Kansas and would love to see all your shows. If and when I see you on T.V. I am so happy and want to see you everyday! I never know when you are on so when I by chance watch you it is a treat. For a while on PBS I new the time you came on and tried to watch but it changed.
Thank you for this recipe for Puff Pastry it is one of my favorite to work with and enjoy.
Do you have a recipe using whole grains?
Best Regards,
Susan
Pati
Oct 16
Hola Susan, Thank you so much for watching the show! You may try the puff pastry recipe using whole wheat flour.
Richard Ryan
Sep 04
At a Mexican bakery in Zillah ,Washington I used to buy a rather plain pastry I liked very much. It was very flaky and the only filling was a little sugar and maybe a little cinnamon. It was folded up the size of a small envelope with multiple layers and was more like fillo than puff pastry. I can’t find this anywhere. I wonder if you have a name for it and maybe have a recipe.
I asked at La Glorias in Bellingham WA and they seemed to recognize it and said they used to make and sell them, but they were not popular and were discontinued.
I appreciate your site very much.
Thank You
Pati
Sep 11
Richard, I think it may be Morelianas if they were super crispy and crucnhy or Moños if they were soft. Will try to blog about them soon so I can test a recipe for you!
Sydney
Aug 20
I know this is a silly question, but I don’t have a food processor and was wondering if I could make this without one.
Pati
Aug 29
Hi Sydney, Of course!! Dice the butter into pea-sized pieces with a knife and combine everything by hand in a mixing bowl.
Vanessa
Jul 22
I have been wanting to make meat empanadas for my Argentinean husband and have tried thousands of recipes online for a good dough recipe and to no avail. Pero encontre la tuya!!! Voy a probarlo hoy mismo. Siempre compro la masa hecha en los supermercados latinos “empanadas” pero no me gustan mucho y ademas sale caro!!! Probare tu receta!! Gracias
Pati
Jul 22
Espero te guste!
Vanessa Thompson
Aug 19
Patti!!!!! AMAZING RECIPE for puff pastry. It was a hit!! It was absolutely scrumptious! Thank you!!!! Gracias!!!! Ahora a superar la prueba maxima….hoy lo hare para mis suegros que nos visitan desde Argentina!!! Seguro que les va a encantar!!! Gracias mil!!!!
Pati
Aug 29
Gracías, Vanessa!
Joanne T Ferguson
Jun 28
G’day and thanks again Pati for “insipring” me to do!
Without a good pastry, this apple pie would not taste the way it did and was devoured very quickly by hubby and friends too!
Cheers! Joanne
Here’s the link should you wish to view:
http://whatsonthelist.net/2013/06/27/crust-crust-apple-pie-the-daring-kitchen-bakers-june-challenge-2013/
Stan and Barbara Stephenson
Jun 24
Dear Pati-Looking through your cook book, we could not find your recipe for Carnitas. Is it listed under another name or in a new cook book. Love your book and recipes. Stan ana Barbara
Pati
Jun 24
Hola Stan and Barbara, you can find my Carnitas recipe from The Chew here: http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/recipes/Carnitas-con-Salsa-Verde-Cruda-Pati-Jinich
Joanne T Ferguson
Mar 24
G’day! I LOVED this recipe, TRUE!
I have made Puff pastry before, but was ALWAYS “an effort” to do!
Your recipe was “easy, peasy” and came out GREAT!
This recipe I HIGHLY RECOMMEND as it is simply GREAT!
I made Sugarless Pear Jam and Brie Puff Pastry Bites On A Stick; blog post will go LIVE our time tomorrow, TRUE!
Would love for you to stop by and let me know what you think too! 🙂
http://whatsonthelist.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/img_1924.jpg?w=622
Cheers! Joanne
saray
Mar 12
Hola justamente hace unos dias mi esposo me preguntaba si podia intentar hacer unos volovanes de atun. Ya ke somos de veracruz y como tu lo dijiste este tipo de comida es tipica de mi tierra. Asi ke esta receta me cayo como anillo al dedo. Solo ke tengo una duda. La masa para hacer croissants ke venden en el super es el mismo tipo de masa o es parecida a la ke preparaste. Espero ke me puedas contestar. Gracias. Nota: la verdad no tenia el gusto de conocerte pero con esta receta y la del pastel de tres leches la verdad me he convertido en una fanatica tuya.
Pati
Mar 19
Saray: que bueno que me encontraste! La masa que yo uso es Hojaldre o Puff Pastry. La deben de tener en la parte del congelador del super, si no encuentras, si puedes usar de Croissant ya que es muy parecida y también te va a quedar riquísimo.
Maria
Feb 26
Hola Pati.
Gracias por esta maravillosa reseta,no sabe cuanto tiempo tengo buscando,esta reseta mi abuelito nos compraba estas galletas cuando iban a Puebla,
Y tengo bellos recuerdos de estas galletas gracias
Ceci
Feb 05
Hola Pati!
me encanta tu programa!
soy de Monterrey y vivo ahorita en Iowa. Como vivo tan lejos de casa, el ver tu programa me trae muy bonitos recuerdos de nuestro hermoso país. Ayer prepare las empanaditas de masa de hojaldre y les encantaron a mis hijos y a mi esposo también!
Te felicito! por tener un excelente programa de cocina.
Saludos…
Pati
Feb 10
Gracias Ceci!!! Qué bueno que te gusta mi programa! A mi familia también le encantan las empanadas…
MJ Hawthorne
Feb 02
Patti, I always enjoy your show. Today we watched your chimmichanga recipe (just can’t spell it). I especially enjoyed your latin background music and watched for music credits but did not see any listed. It would be great if you could add that to your credit list… in the meantime if you know some of the general artist you use, please name a few so I can check them out on I-Tunes. Thank you
Pati
Feb 04
Hi MJ, Thank you so much for watching the show! The theme song “Dame” is by Domingo Siete; maybe you will be able to find him on I-tunes.
Mayte Araiza
Jan 25
Hola Pati,
I LOVE YOUR SHOW! I have always been a fan of watching cooking shows, and I,ve seen many chefs and cooks doing “Mexican Dishes”. As a true mexican I’ve always wondered, where or who taught them those recipes?, because they dont look like any I’ve ever eaten, until you came along, you have been the only one who truly cooks like an authentic mexican. I really enjoy all the history you teach us along with each recipe, muchas gracias,adios.
Pati
Jan 27
Muchas gracias por escribirme Mayte! And so happy you like the show… I do pour my heart into each episode.
Edna Grace
Jan 25
Pati,
I think I have fallen in love! I’ve made this puff pastry for the first time tonight and used leftover picadillo as filling…I’ve never had such a delicious dough as this.
I’ve made many,many empanadas and tried many,many recipes for the dough, and this one is by far my favorite. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe with us!
And, by the way, your show is fantastic as well! 🙂
Pati
Jan 27
Aw, thank you Edna!! For trying the recipe, for watching the show and mostly, for taking the time to write to me 🙂
ann p.
Jan 20
This looks really good.
Butter costs a lot. How would substituting a solid shortening or lard work?
If I use a differnt (and wetter filling) should I cut small vent holes in the top with a knife?
raymond nicolai-vargas
Jan 19
I can’t wait to try this….i’ve always been intimidated by trying to make dough…your recipe looks easy…i will let you know. caio!
Pati
Jan 24
Nothing to fear! Jump in!! Let me know how it turns out.
Liz Mackie
Jan 19
Thank you Pati for all your nice recipes. They are explained and written so well and very easy to follow. I enjoy getting them in the mail.
Liz
Joanne T Ferguson
Jan 19
G’day! I came across your Hojalde recipe via email and can’t wait to try it! Will look to match it up with one of your other wonderful recipes too! Thank you!
Pati
Jan 22
Thanks! It is a good take: super fluffy and puffy.
nila middleton
Jan 19
Please return your show to Houston, Texas. I’ve not been able to access it the past couple of weeks, in the evenings.
Thank you for the background/history of your recipes, and making authentic Mexican food with simple, easy explanations of the process. Good Mexican food is usually time intensive but you make it seem so simple.
Thank you,
Nila Middleton
Houston, Tx.
Pati
Jan 22
Thank you for your lovely comment Nila! Have you tried reaching out to your local station? Maybe they changed the time or are planning on running Series again sometime soon. Wait for Season 3 soon!
Jeff Register
Jan 19
Pati,
Thank you for all you do & please keep it up. I enjoy Mexican food so much but after having the same menu at cafes I very much enjoy your new foods eaten by Mexico some I’ve never heard of until you came in my home.
Jeff & Kathy