Puff pastry dough is very versatile! You can use this recipe as the base for making a variety of dinners and desserts. Homemade puff pastry is much more scrumptious than ready-made dough from your local grocery store. Make a batch of puff pastry dough with just 3 ingredients in 15 minutes!
ABOUT PUFF PASTRY DOUGH
Last weekend I was craving homemade ham and cheese pockets. So I headed into the kitchen to make a quick batch of puff pastry dough. Once you make your first batch I’m sure you’ll agree: this easy puff pastry dough is a life-changing recipe! It’s also a real money-saver. Say goodbye to store-bought dough!
WHAT TYPE OF BUTTER FOR PUFF PASTRY DOUGH?
Puff pastry dough requires high-quality butter. Here’s the reason: high-quality butter has a higher fat content than its cheaper counterparts. Low-quality butter contains a high quantity of water which is not a prime ingredient for making puff pastry dough. This water-adding practice helps manufacturer keep their butter prices down. If over the years you’ve consistently been using loss-leader-priced butter in your baked goods, you may have noticed a fairly significant change in the outcome of your recipes. Although it may pinch the pocketbook, whenever you’re purchasing butter for baking reach for high-quality butter from brands you trust.
KITCHEN TOOSL FOR PUFF PASTRY DOUGH
These helpful kitchen tools are perfect for making a variety of recipes, including this easy puff pastry dough!
PUFF PASTRY DOUGH RECIPE IDEAS
This easy-to-make puff pastry dough is a real game-changer. It’s so darn versatile! You can now quickly and easily make homemade hot pockets, ham-and-cheese pinwheels, croissants, apple turnovers, puff pastry twists, gourmet pizza appetizers, empanadas, crust for chicken pot pie, cinnamon roll bites, and so much more!
Puff Pastry Dough
- Total Time: 15 Minutes
- Yield: 5 Servings 1x
Description
Puff pastry dough is quick and easy to make! With just 3 ingredients and 15 minutes you’ll have delicious, buttery, puff pastry dough that will rival any ready-made dough sold at the market. It’s perfect for making a long list of dinners and desserts, including homemade pop tarts!
Ingredients
- 1 + 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (plus a bit extra for rolling out the dough)
- 10 tablespoons high-quality salted butter, chilled
- 1/3 cup ice-cold water
Instructions
- Fill a large drinking cup with ice cubes and add water. Set the cup aside.
- On a cutting board, chop the butter into very tiny pieces. Add the butter and flour to a medium mixing bowl. Stir to combine. With a pastry blender or fork, cut the butter into the flour until it’s well incorporated.
- Measure out 1/3 cup of ice water. Pour it over the mixture. Stir with a fork. With clean hands, blend the mixture into a dough. You will still see tiny specks of butter. Gather the dough together into a ball and transfer it to a lightly-floured pastry board. NOTE: Don’t add in too much extra flour! Just a few touches as needed to prevent stickiness.
- Pat the dough down into a basic rough square. Using a lightly-floured rolling pin, roll the dough into a rectangle approximately 10-inches long. Fold the dough into thirds (just like folding a business letter). Rotate the dough a quarter turn. Roll it out into a rectangle again. Repeat this process 6 times: folding, rotating, rolling.
- Place the dough into a quart-sized ziplock and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before using. (This puff pastry dough can be refrigerated overnight.) When you’re ready to use the dough, roll it out into a 12 X 8-1/2 inch rectangle. Slice into sections.
Notes
SALTED OR UNSALTED BUTTER? You can also use unsalted butter for this puff pastry recipe. Simply add 1/4 teaspoon fine salt to the flour. Gently mix the flour and salt together before adding in the butter.
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 0 Minutes
- Category: Dessert, Dinner
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American, French
Keywords: puff pastry dough, pastry dough, puff pastry dough recipe, homemade puff pastry
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PUFF PASTRY DOUGH – JOIN THE CONVERSATION
What recipes would you like to make with your puff pastry dough? Share your favorite ideas puff pastry recipes in the comment section below!
which is higher grade butter, grade A or grade AA ? Thank you
Finally I’ve some hopes of being able to make pastry dough at home! For how many days can I keep it in the freezer?
Hello Geetika! Tightly wrap the puff pastry in plastic wrap. Place it in a zip-top bag with the air pressed out, or in an air-tight container. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. To use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling out the chilled dough. Do not refreeze. Enjoy!
Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted ?
Hello Sandy. Yes, you can use unsalted butter for this recipe. Simply add 1/4 teaspoon fine salt to the flour. Gently mix the flour and salt together before adding in the butter.
I made it last night. Came out great. I usually use frozen puff pastry sheets from the grocery store, but this recipe is very easy to make from scratch. And I love rolling out dough. I could do it all day.
Instead of cutting the cold butter into tiny pieces, I just grated it on the coarse side of a box grater. That makes it even quicker.
Denay, I’ll be sure to check out your other recipes.
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Carolina, a huge thanks for your feedback on this puff pastry dough recipe! It means so much. I’m excited that you’ll be checking out some of my newer recipes!
How much will the 12×8 sheet produce?
Will this work with hard, stick type margarine ?
Good morning Tere! This puff pastry dough recipe is best when made with butter. Margarine will work, but the dough will not be as flavorful.
I’m wondering if I could just pulse the butter/flour right quick in my food processor? Your thoughts? Thanks!
Good morning Bea! Yes, you can absolutely form the puff pastry dough in a food processor.
Would love to try your recipe but would you please translate the 10 tbs of butter into grams or cups as I tried a similar one before and when I baked it the dough was soaked in butter!
Just a quick google search reveals a butter conversion chart. https://www.traditionaloven.com/culinary-arts/cooking/butter/convert-table-spoon-tbsp-to-gram-g.html
The Tablespoon markings are on the butter stick of most butters but 8 Tablespoons is 1/2 cup and 2 Tablespoons would be 1/8 cup. Hope this helps
Thank you for this recipe. I am trying to make as much as I can from scratch and this recipe is right up there for me. I need simple easy recipes. Now that I have this is can make the strawberry cream cheese puff pastries I’ve been wanting ?
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I have never tried puffed pastry, but you make it look easy enough for me to give it a go!
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Hi Bella! I hope you give this recipe a try. Thanks for visiting me here. Have a great week!
This sounds so easy! I might just have to give it a try – I’m known for my kitchen disasters, though, lol.
Hello Jessica! I promise that this puff pastry recipe is simple as pie! I think you’ll be completely amazed at how easy and delicious it is. :-)
Great puff pastry dough recipe! I usually make most components of my dishes from scratch but puff pastry is one item I usually allow myself to buy. I forget how easy it can be, and your recipe looks like a great one to try!
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Marlynn, you are going to love this recipe! It’s not only easy to make but it’s super versatile to use too.
This really is a game changer!! I LOVE puff pastry!
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Yay! I’m loving that you like this recipe. Thanks so much Lauren for stopping by. :-)
Puff pastry dough is such a versatile ingredient. This is an excellent recipe.
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Hi Leah. Once you make this puff pastry recipe, you’ll want to make it time and time again!
You’re making it look so easy. Now I have to try it. Thanks for the inspiration. :)
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Maggie, you are so very welcome! :-)
I’ve never ever made or attempted my own puff pastry. I always felt like would TOTALLY screw it up. I’m not great with breads, doughs, or pie crusts, but this recipe looks easy enough to try! You are giving me some confidence over here Denay!
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Woo-hoo! Chrissa, I promise this will become one of your favorite little recipes! There’s so much you can do with puff pastry, especially when it takes such little time to prepare. :-)
These look wonderful!! I always love reading your recipes!
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Awww…Thank you so much, Jessica. You are so sweet. You’ve really made my day. :-)
This looks amazing! I need to make this puff pastry dough stat!
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Rachel, yes, yes! I hope you make a batch or two of puff pastry this weekend. :-)
I love cooking and baking, but have always been intimidated by the idea of making my own puff pastry… this post has really inspired me to give it a go! Looking forward to this!
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Yay! I’m so happy to provide some inspiration! Thank you so much Maya for stopping by.
Love this, right up my alley, yep have to make this soon.
Candy, I hope you try this recipe soon! Thank you so much for popping by for a visit and leaving a comment. I really appreciate it.