Recipe Roundup

52 Puff Pastry Recipes We Love: Appetizers, Mains, Desserts, and More

The store-bought staple makes more than just delicious tarts and turnovers. 
Leek fennel and poppy seed tart is another one of our favorite puff pastry recipes.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Styling by Ali Nardi

Flaky, buttery puff pastry just tastes fancy, even if it came from the supermarket. And it's something of a not-so-secret weapon for entertaining, whether you want to make elegant appetizers or impressive desserts. Here are 52 of our absolute favorite puff pastry recipes, including tarts, turnovers, and pot pies. There's no need to tell your guests that you started with a frozen, store-bought staple.

  • Leek fennel and poppy seed tart is another one of our favorite puff pastry recipes.
    Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Styling by Ali Nardi
    1/52

    Leek, Fennel, and Poppy Seed Tart

    This elegant-but-easy dish features thinly sliced leeks, fennel, grated Parmesan, and a smattering of poppy seeds. Offer it alongside a big bowl of green salad. 

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
    2/52

    Chocolate-Hazelnut Napoleons

    Weighing the puff pastry down with an extra sheet pan while it blind-bakes is a classic way to get the crackle without the height and also gives the pastries a sleek, modern look.

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  • 3/52

    One-Hour Apricot and Almond Galette

    A luxurious almond cream makes this one-hour stone fruit dessert taste like an all-day labor of love. If you're short on time, you can even make the almond cream up to three days ahead.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton
    4/52

    Potato, Leek, and Pea Pot Pie With Spinach-Arugula Salad

    Give pot pie a makeover with creamy new potatoes, sweet peas, and sausage bathed in a light, lemony sauce. An herb-packed salad with peppery radish and crunchy almonds will help round out the meal.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi
    5/52

    Figs-in-a-Blanket With Goat Cheese

    Spicy, honey-glazed figs are balanced by creamy goat cheese in this fun vegetarian play on pigs-in-a-blanket. If goat cheese isn't your thing, try these bites with brie, Camembert, Manchego, or Parmesan.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson
    6/52

    Bacon and Egg Casserole

    This lattice-topped, make-ahead casserole is almost too pretty to eat. With bacon, soft-boiled eggs, and cheese peeking through, however, we'll definitely manage to dig in. 

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Grace Parisi
    7/52

    Savory Mushroom and Parmesan Palmiers

    Store-bought puff pastry makes these savory "elephant ears" stuffed with cremini mushrooms, herbs, and Parmesan an easy bite-sized appetizer. Adults and kids alike will love these fun treats. 

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  • Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    8/52

    Glazed and Flaky Apple Tart

    If you're the type who prefers desserts that go heavy on the fruit, this apple tart's for you. Halved apples (that's right, no slicing or dicing) are roasted with brandy and maple syrup, then arranged on puff pastry with almond streusel to add crunch and absorb any rogue juices.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Jerri Joy, Food Styling by Anna Hampton
    9/52

    Carrot Tart With Ricotta and Almond Filling

    Arranging the carrots in a geometric pattern transforms this savory tart into a truly show-stopping side or appetizer, while a zesty carrot top salad provides a nice pop of color and flavor.

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  • Photo by JP Bevins, Food Styling by Molly Baz
    10/52

    3-Ingredient Cinnamon-Sugar Twists

    These buttery, flaky twists get extra crispy, with a pop of warm spice. The three ingredients these universal favorites rely on? Sugar, cinnamon, and (of course) puff pastry.

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  • Photo by Alex Lau
    11/52

    Tomato-Lemon Tart

    Using frozen puff pastry is the shortcut that makes this tart a new weeknight favorite recipe. This tart bursts with the flavor of ripe tomatoes, torn basil leaves, lemon, and garlic. 

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  • Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    12/52

    Shortcut Puff Pastry

    Want to try your hand at making your own dough? This cheater's version of the classic pastry simplifies the process, but still produces fantastic results that you can use in puff pastry dessert recipes forever after. 

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  • Photo by Stephen Hamilton
    13/52

    Chicken and Root Vegetable Pot Pie

    These savory pies are stuffed with sweet potatoes, parsnips, celery root, hot sauce, parsley, peas, cilantro, and (of course) chicken. They're an all-around satisfying, comforting meal that can't be beat.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Astrid Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Hampton
    14/52

    3-Ingredient Caramel Apple Tart

    Store-bought caramel sauce and frozen puff pastry are the secrets to a showstopping dessert that you can make in under an hour. For an extra flourish, serve this tart with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

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  • Photo by Michael Harlan Turkell
    15/52

    Apple Pithivier

    A sunburst of golden puff pastry hides rich layers of vanilla-scented apple butter and frangipane (almond cream) in this spirited variation of the French classic.

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  • photo by Hirsheimer & Hamilton
    16/52

    Artichoke and Feta Tarts

    This recipe gives you yet another excuse to keep a package of puff pastry in the freezer. If you prefer, swap out the marinated artichoke hearts for drained canned or thawed frozen artichoke hearts.

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  • Photo by Laura Murray
    17/52

    Shallot Tarte Tatin

    This savory tart is made with all the best things: toasted pine nuts, mixed mushrooms, burrata, Parmesan, baby arugula, olive oil, and lemon, all atop a delicious puff pastry. 

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  • Photo by Christopher Testani
    18/52

    Apple-Almond Turnover

    This Alison Roman recipe is perfect for a party. It starts with roasted Pink Lady apples, cooked with a touch of vinegar and vanilla. The crust gets a swipe of almond paste before the apples are wrapped inside. 

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  • Photo by Brian W. Ferry
    19/52

    Skillet Chicken Pot Pie With Butternut Squash

    Rotisserie chicken and store-bought puff pastry make quick work of this comforting kale- and squash-stuffed pot pie. An egg wash makes the puff pastry crust look even better. 

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  • Photo by Alex Lau
    20/52

    Apple Pandowdy

    This apple pandowdy recipe makes a dessert so delicious that we're just going to have to say: Cobbler, you’ve been warned. Serve warm with ice cream, and you'll have a new favorite on your hands.

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  • Photo by Andrew Purcell, food styling by Carrie Purcell
    21/52

    Pigs-in-a-Blanket With Chorizo, Membrillo, and Manchego

    These are no ordinary pigs-in-a-blanket: Spicy chorizo, sweet membrillo, and nutty Manchego bring Spanish flair to everyone's favorite finger food. Top it all off with a sprinkle of pimentón, serve it, and watch it disappear. 

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  • Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich
    22/52

    Butternut Squash Tarte Tatin

    Apple tarts are so last year. This gorgeous fella has butternut squash instead for an impressive presentation. The squash slices are drizzled with melted butter and sprinkled with sugar and salt before roasting, the layered onto caramel in a springform pan. The puff pastry comes last, so that the squash is the star when you invert the tart. 

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks
    23/52

    Apple and Persimmon Tarte Tatin

    The delicate, earthy sweetness of Fuyu persimmons is a perfect match for apples in this classic French dessert. A quick caramel sauce and easy puff pastry crust give you big payoff for very little fuss.

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  • Photo by Andrew Purcell, food styling by Carrie Purcell
    24/52

    Pigs-in-a-Blanket with Hoisin and Scallion

    Warm Chinese five-spice powder, tangy hoisin, and savory scallions add bold flavors to this perennial party snack. Can't find fully cooked breakfast sausage? Cook fresh sausages in a pan and proceed with the recipe.

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  • Gentl & Hyers
    25/52

    Beef Bourguignonne Pot Pie

    No list of the best puff pastry recipes would be complete without this impressive beef pot pie filled with beef chuck, crisped bacon, sweet onion, leeks, mushrooms, and more. 

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  • Photo by Gentl & Hyers
    26/52

    Apple and Nut-Butter Puff Pastry Tarts

    The flavors of apples dipped in peanut butter are all cozied up inside of a warm, flaky puff pastry crust. These tarts can be made six hours ahead of serving.

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  • Photo by Charles Masters, food styling by Suzanne Lenzer
    27/52

    Maple-Pear Sheet Tart

    This dessert needs only five ingredients: egg, puff pastry, Anjou pears, granulated sugar, and maple syrup. Though if you want to make it look fancier, use a fine-mesh sieve to lightly dust the top with confectioners' sugar.

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  • Photo by Jonny Valiant
    28/52

    Mushroom and Farro Pie

    If you're hankering for a spectacular centerpiece for a vegetarian meal, look no further than this hearty pie. Flaky pastry gives way to cremini mushrooms and chewy farro (an ancient Italian grain) bound together by ricotta.

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  • Romulo Yanes
    29/52

    Spinach Puffs

    These little spinach pies make for the perfect brunch bite. Or, you can serve them at dinner as a vegetable side and dinner roll in one.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Rhoda Boone
    30/52

    Puffles (Stuffed Puff-Pastry Waffles)

    Yep, it's true. A stuffed waffle. Once the puff pastry hits the waffle iron, you get the crunchiest, flakiest breakfast imaginable. Use sweet or savory flavor combinations to make the puffle of your dreams.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell
    31/52

    3-Ingredient Caramel Apple Hand Pies

    Ready in thirty-five minutes, these quick and easy hand pies are a cross between the beloved caramel apple and flaky apple turnover. All you need is a package of puff pastry, a single large apple, and ready-made caramel sauce.

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  • Photo by Christopher Testani
    32/52

    D.I.Y. Apple Mille-Feuille

    Mille feuille, which means "a thousand sheets" in French, features layer upon layer of puff pastry. In this D.I.Y. version, make the pastry sheets ahead and let your guests create their own mille feuille using apple filling, maple syrup, and whipped cream.

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  • Romulo Yanes
    35/52

    Banana Tartes Tatin

    Bake buttery brown-sugar bananas on a bed of puff pastry. Then flip it and reverse it for an easy Tarte Tatin. Four simple ingredients never tasted so good.

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton
    36/52

    Pigs-in-a-Blanket With Sauerkraut and Mustard

    When it comes to pigs in a blanket, why restrict yourself to just meat filling and a dip in mustard? Here, a dose of sauerkraut and caraway seeds make things more interesting.

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  • Christopher Testani
    37/52

    Carrot Tart with Ricotta and Herbs

    Sweet carrots, creamy ricotta, large carrots, and flaky puff pastry make this an easy, yet impressive fall or winter dinner party appetizer. The tart can be baked up to six hours ahead. 

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  • Photo by Romulo Yanes
    38/52

    Rhubarb Tart With Orange Glaze

    Thanks to frozen puff pastry, you can put a stunning dessert on the table in no time. A sweet citrus glaze offsets the rhubarb's tartness, as does a scoop of ice cream.

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  • Con Polous
    39/52

    Simple Leek and Ricotta Tarts

    Whisk fresh ricotta cheese and grated Parmesan with egg before spreading it out over a puff pastry. Add finely sliced leeks and thyme leaves, brush with butter, and bake. 

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  • 40/52

    Sausage Rolls

    No one can turn down sausage wrapped in puff pastry. It's not the most elegant appetizer, but it is the most irresistible—especially with a side of mustard.

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  • Photo by Joff Lee
    41/52

    Halloumi Puff Pastry Twists

    These delicious crisp, cheesy snacks are a must for entertaining and parties. Serve them with a glass of wine and a bowl of olives or as savory dippers for tzatziki.

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  • Lisa Hubbard
    42/52

    Asparagus and Mushroom Tarts

    Check out this simple but sophisticated starter: Puff pastry squares are topped with a bright spring mixture of asparagus spears, fresh shiitakes, and crème fraîche.

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  • Stephanie Foley
    45/52

    Guava and Cream Cheese Pastry

    Just look at those stripes of sweetened cream cheese and lush guava paste! The sweet and tangy combo of cream cheese and guava jam makes this the ideal breakfast treat or mid-afternoon snack.

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  • Photo by Romulo Yanes
    46/52

    Beef and Curry Pie

    These beef pies make an immensely satisfying meal or snack on the go. The ready-to-use puff pastry bakes up golden and flaky—the perfect accompaniment to the rich, meaty filling.

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  • © Tom Eckerle
    49/52

    Prosciutto Asparagus Spirals

    These sophisticated (but easy to prepare!) puff pastry appetizers feature fresh asparagus spears individually wrapped with prosciutto and a spread of garlic and herb cheese.

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  • 50/52

    Spinach-Cheese Swirls

    These tempting appetizers look like they're difficult to make...but they're not. They feature a spinach, onion, and cheese filling simply rolled up in flaky puff pastry and sliced into pinwheels.

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  • Photo by Paulette Tavormina
    51/52

    Tarte Tatin

    The dirty little secret of Tarte Tatin: It's just another puff pastry recipe, this time baked with caramel and apples. Don't skip the whipped cream on the side. 

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  • Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Dana Bonagura
    52/52

    New Year's Eve Meat Pie

    Puff pastry recipes seem just right for New Year's Eve. Case in point: this hearty but elegant beef and potato pie. (Tbh, we'd eat it just about any night.)

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