15 Simple Desserts Made with Frozen Puff Pastry

Puff Pastry Apple Turnovers

Turnovers are one of the easiest desserts to make with puff pastry—just add a fruit filling! Try this classic apple version for a traditional turnover. Reviewers recommend adjusting the sugar based on the sweetness of the apples you choose. Be sure the filling is thick enough and seal the pastry well so it doesn’t leak while baking.

• How to Bake With Frozen Puff Pastry

Lemon and Berry Tartlets

In this recipe, Chef John demonstrates how to create tart shells from puff pastry sheets. Be sure to watch the video for the simple technique. Whether you make your own shells or buy pre-made ones, these tartlets are the perfect individual desserts—just bake and fill! Start with this lemon berry version and feel free to experiment with other fillings!

• Easy Fruit-Filled Puff Pastry Desserts for Beginner Bakers

Baked Apple Roses

We adore desserts that not only look stunning but also taste amazing—and when they’re simple to make, it’s a perfect trifecta! These apple roses are elegant enough to impress a pastry chef, but easy enough for the whole family to make together. Home cook Darla shares, "So beautiful! They look much harder than they were. I followed the recipe exactly and watched the video."

Effortless Hazelnut Pastries

Palmiers, the delightful French cookies made by rolling puff pastry, are an easy and delicious treat. While the classic plain or cinnamon sugar versions are always a hit, we particularly enjoy these chocolate hazelnut variations.

Hasselback Pear Tart

The trickiest part of making a tart is usually the crust, but with frozen puff pastry, you can turn a weekend-worthy tart into a quick weeknight treat! Give this pear variation a try.

Pithiviers

Pithiviers are a classic French puff pastry tart traditionally filled with frangipane (almond paste), and they’re just as delightful on their own as they are with a scoop of ice cream.

Galette des Rois

A Galette des Rois, or king cake, is a tasty tradition for celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. A small plastic baby or dried bean is hidden inside, and the person who finds it becomes the King or Queen for the day—but they’re also tasked with hosting the next party!

Portuguese Custard Tarts - Pasteis de Nata

Portuguese egg tarts are one of the most delicious desserts you can enjoy. If there’s no Portuguese bakery nearby, frozen puff pastry lets you make your own version with just six simple ingredients.

Chocolate Clouds

Puff pastry squares are baked to a light, airy perfection, then filled with a quick chocolate 'mousse' for a simple yet elegant dessert that requires only five ingredients. Reviewers have even swapped out the pudding mix in the filling to create their own personalized version of these chocolate clouds.

Homemade Cream Horns

A delicate, flaky horn filled with cream is truly a work of art. It's easier to make than you might think—especially if you have frozen puff pastry on hand! Reviewer mickeyshell99 shares, "Simple and delicious! I made 12 horns, doubled the filling recipe, and still have enough filling for another dozen or two. I’ll be getting more puff pastry dough tomorrow!"

Mille Feuille (Napoleon Pastry Sheets)

Chef John explains, "You don’t need to make your own dough when frozen puff pastry sheets do the job perfectly. The secret is to keep the dough flat while baking, which we do by 'docking'—pricking it all over with a fork. These crisp, buttery layers are the foundation for making your own Napoleons." Chef John fills his Napoleons with Vanilla Pastry Cream and finishes them off with a simple icing made from powdered sugar and milk.

Black Walnut and Cherry Strudel

Strudels are a fantastic way to use frozen puff pastry, and while apple is the classic choice, this black walnut and cherry version adds a special twist. Feel free to follow this recipe and swap the fruit filling to match the seasons.

Peach Tartlets with Apricot Glaze

"This easy 3-ingredient dessert is perfect for when you need a quick yet impressive treat at the last minute. Swap out the peaches for any fresh fruit you like, such as plums, nectarines, apples, or pears." —foodelicious

Fresh Fruit Frangipane Tart

One of the most delightful pairings in dessert is the chewy almond frangipane combined with the tang of fresh fruits. By using frozen puff pastry for the crust, you achieve a delicious tart with minimal effort.

Maple-Pear Tarte Tatin

"Pears poached in a rich maple caramel sauce, then baked beneath a crisp puff pastry crust—this simple yet refined dessert is a winner. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and savor the goodness!" —WestCoastMom

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