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Home » Baking

Published: Nov 16, 2020 · Modified: Mar 27, 2025 by Kathy

Easy Puff Pastry

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Folded puff pastry dough on a floured board.

Easy puff pastry is a shortcut method for making your own puff pastry at home. It is also called rough puff pastry or quick puff pastry.

This recipe involves folding the dough, but no laminating of the butter and dough. The results are amazing and you can use them in all your favorite recipes calling for puff pastry. 

Folded puff pastry on a floured wooden board.

Easy puff pastry dough

I’ve been making this easy puff pastry for years, and it’s a game-changer! Also known as rough puff pastry or quick puff pastry, this method captures the magic of traditional puff pastry but with far less effort. You can use it in any recipe that calls for puff pastry, from savory tarts to sweet turnovers.

Puff pastry folded into thirds and sprinkled with flour.

What Makes It Easy?

  • Butter is added directly to the dough: No tedious laminating process here!
  • Rolling and folding create layers: By rolling and folding the dough multiple times, you still achieve the flaky, buttery layers that make puff pastry so irresistible.
  • Time-saving: The entire process takes about 4 hours, with most of that time spent chilling. In comparison, traditional puff pastry typically requires 2 days to complete.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to take a three-day baking class focused entirely on laminated dough. We made croissants, Danish pastries, traditional puff pastry, and what the chefs called blitz puff pastry—a version of easy puff pastry. I was thrilled to see that their techniques matched what I’d already been using! It confirmed just how reliable this method is for producing fantastic results without all the fuss.

Rough Puff Pastry Ingredients

This recipe only uses three simple ingredients - all-purpose flour, salted butter, salt, and ice-cold water.

Ingredients for making puff pastry.

How to Make Puff Pastry Dough

  1. Combine flour and salt together in a bowl of a stand mixer
  2. Add cubed butter and mix on medium-low speed until butter and flour form a coarse mixture
Dry flour mixture in a hand over a mixing bowl.

3. Add ice-cold water and mix just until dough begins to come together. It will still appear dry and crumbly
4. Dump dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead 3-4 times to pull dough together into a ball

Dry crumbly dough on a black surface.
A small amount of dough on a black surface.

5. Begin rolling out dough into a rectangle about 8 x 12 inches. Use your hands or a bench scraper to keep the sides even.

Puff pastry dough on a floured surface with a wooden rolling pin next to the dough.
Rolled out dough on a black surface.

How to Fold Puff Pastry Dough

The folding of the dough is a crucial step in making this puff pastry. Without the folding, you don't get the layers. You will fold and repeat these steps three different times.

  • Begin on the short side of the dough. Fold dough over ⅔ of the way - like folding a letter.
  • Fold the other side over the folded side
Folding puff pastry dough.
Puff pastry dough folded over part way.
  • Roll dough out again and repeat the steps for folding. You will roll and fold the dough a total of three times.
Rolling out pastry dough with a wooden rolling pin.
Rolled and folded rough puff pastry dough on a floured surface.

How to Bake With This Easy Puff Pastry

  1. Lightly roll out the puff pastry:
    Place the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Unfold it and dust the top with a small amount of flour. Use a rolling pin to gently roll across the folds, just enough to even out the surface and smooth any seams. Avoid pressing too hard, as this can compress the layers and affect the puffing during baking.
  2. Cut and shape the puff pastry:
    Cut the puff pastry into your desired shapes, such as small squares, rounds, or strips. Alternatively, leave it whole for larger tarts or pastries. Use a sharp knife or pastry cutter to ensure clean edges, which help the pastry rise evenly.
  3. Prepare the baking sheet:
    Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even browning.
  4. Add a glaze:
    For a golden, shiny finish, brush the top surface of the puff pastry with an egg wash. To make the glaze, whisk one egg with a tablespoon of water until smooth, then lightly brush it onto the pastry. Be careful not to let the glaze drip down the sides, as this can inhibit the rise.
  5. Bake until golden:
    Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the pastries on the prepared baking sheet and bake until puffed and golden brown, approximately 10–15 minutes. The exact baking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your pastries, so keep an eye on them as they bake.
  6. Cool and serve:
    Allow the pastries to cool slightly on the baking sheet before serving. If you plan to fill the pastries after baking, let them cool completely first. For the best texture, fill them just before serving to avoid sogginess.

Rough Puff Pastry Recipe Tips

  • Cut butter into small cubes. Keep butter chilled until just before using. I cubed my butter and then put it back into the refrigerator until I needed it.
  • If your house is hot or very warm, chill flour before using.
  • Use ice-cold water.
  • When rolling out dough, try to keep in a rectangular shape. You can reshape ends with your hands or a bench scraper.
  • Always fold your dough the same direction so you can keep track of what you are doing.
  • Wrap dough in plastic wrap and place in a zip-top bag.
  • Chill for at least 4 hours before using.
  • Dough may be frozen for up to 3 months.
  • If frozen, remove the dough at least two hours prior to using or thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
  • Use in any recipe calling for puff pastry.
  • This dough will be a bit more difficult to roll out than store-bought dough. It contains all butter. If the dough is too firm after the 4 hour chilling, let the dough rest for 5 minutes on the counter. As the dough warms, it will become easier to roll. As dough continues to warm, it will become sticky. Just pop back into the refrigerator for a few minutes until the butter firms up.

Ways to Use Homemade Puff Pastry

Once puff pastry dough is made, it becomes an ingredient you use in other recipes. This recipe makes the same amount as two sheets of store-bought puff pastry, or one box.

You can divide the dough in half and roll out each half or you can roll out the entire amount all at once.

This puff pastry can be used in the following recipes:

  • Puff Pastry Pinwheels
  • Onion Tart
  • Cheese Straws
  • Chicken Pot Pie
  • Jalapeno Cranberry Bites
  • Baked Brie
  • Apple Tart
  • Puff Pastry Baked Eggs
  • Cream Cheese Danish
  • Pigs in a Blanket

Recipe Faqs

What do I do if my dough is too sticky?

First, try refrigerating the dough so the butter is firm. Next, try adding just a bit of extra flour when rolling the dough.

How long will puff pastry last?

Puff pastry will last for up to 10 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer. Be certain to fully wrap the pastry in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer zip-top bag.

Puff pastry dough on a floured board.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

Check out all my baking recipes!

  • Homemade Croissants stacked on a cooling rack.
    How to Make Croissants
  • Homemade Focaccia Bread cut into squares.
    Homemade Focaccia Bread
  • A circle of round dinner rolls each with a different finished glaze.
    Bread Glazes
  • A loaf of homemade white bread on a wooden cutting board.
    Homemade White Bread
Folded puff pastry on a floured wooden board.

Puff Pastry Dough Recipe

Kathy Berget
Make your own puff pastry with a few ingredients and a few simple steps. 
5 from 43 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 30 minutes mins
Chilling Time 4 hours hrs
Total Time 4 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Course Baking
Cuisine American
Servings 1 Roll
Calories 141 kcal

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups
  • Measuring Spoons
  • Stand Mixer
  • Rolling Pin
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 cups flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup salted butter (cut into small cubes)
  • ½ cup water (ice cold)

Instructions
 

  • Place flour and salt into bowl of a stand mixer. Combine together.
    Add butter. Mix together with the paddle attachment. Mix until mixture is coarse and butter is smeared with the flour.
    2 cups flour, ½ teaspoon salt, 1 cup salted butter
  • Add ice water. Mix just until the ingredients come together. Mixture will still be crumbly.
    ½ cup water
  • Dump mixture onto counter. Lightly knead together until dough forms a ball.  
  • Lightly flour surface and rolling pin. Roll dough out into a rectangle approximately 8 x 12 inches. Keep edges straight. If edges become rough, just straighten back by pushing edges back towards center. Reapply flour to counter and rolling pin as needed.
  • Give dough a quarter of a turn so long side is facing you. Beginning on the left side, fold dough over ⅔ of the way, like folding a letter.  Fold right side all the way over the dough.  
  • Repeat rolling and folding two more times. 

Video

Notes

 
  • Cut butter into small cubes. Keep butter chilled until just before using. I cubed my butter and then put it back into the refrigerator until I needed it.
  • If your house is hot, chill flour before using.
  • Use ice cold water.
  • When rolling out dough, try to keep in a rectangular shape. You can reshape ends with your hands or a bench scraper.
  • Always fold your dough the same direction.
  • Wrap dough in plastic wrap and place in a zip top bag.
  • Chill for at least 4 hours before using.
  • Dough may be frozen for up to 3 months.
  • If frozen, remove from dough at least two hours prior to using or thaw in refrigerator overnight.
  • Use in any recipe calling for puff pastry.
  • This dough will be a bit more difficult to roll out than store bought dough. It contains all butter. If the dough is too firm after the 4 hour chilling, let the dough rest for 5 minutes on the counter. As the dough warms, it will become easier to roll. As dough continues to warm, it will become sticky. Just pop back into the refrigerator for a few minutes until the butter firms up.
Nutritional value is figured 1 piece of cooked puff pastry with dough cut into 18 pieces. 

Nutritional Disclaimer:

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition

Calories: 141kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 155mgPotassium: 18mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 315IUCalcium: 5mgIron: 1mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeyondTheChickenCoop or tag #beyondthechickencoop!

Recipe Adapted from Essentials of Baking

This recipe was originally published in October 2017.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cristina says

    February 17, 2024 at 5:52 am

    Hi there
    If is not too much trouble would you add the exact measurements in grams too? Not quite sure google conversion is correct 🤣🤣🤣thank you so much
    Cristina

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      February 17, 2024 at 6:07 am

      Hi Cristina,
      I am in the process of converting all my recipes to include both measurements. The program I use converts using each ingredient individually (one cup of flour weighs a different amount than one up of water) I just updated this recipe for you. Let me know how it turns out!
      Kathy

      Reply
  2. Robin says

    January 01, 2022 at 6:39 am

    Not sure what I did wrong…. I dedicated an entire day to this and found the rough quite difficult to roll out. I still followed the instructions to the letter. When I used the dough, it was very tough and chewy, more like pie dough. Do you have any idea what I did wrong? I made five batch and I afraid they are all bad.

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 01, 2022 at 7:19 am

      Hi Robin,
      Making this easy puff pastry is easier than traditional puff pastry, but there are still several factors that could cause the dough to be tough. When you were initially folding the dough, how did the dough feel?
      There could be several things that happened - too much flour was added (flour can be compacted with storing and measuring), the dough was handled too much or the butter worked too much into the dough and possibly the water added wasn't ice cold. When adding the water to the butter and flour, use very cold water. If it’s too crumbly, add a little more water. Make certain the dough is fully chilled before trying to roll the dough out.
      I hope you have better luck with the other batches.
      Kathy

      Reply
  3. Céline says

    May 05, 2021 at 1:27 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for the recipe! This is the second time i make it and it is just great!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      May 05, 2021 at 6:58 pm

      Thank you so much! I appreciate your comment and for letting me know! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Linda Martens says

    January 20, 2021 at 8:51 pm

    5 stars
    Made this today and used half the recipe for Turkey Pot pie - Deliciously simple!! Thank you for this recipe 🙂

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 21, 2021 at 4:47 am

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Valentina says

    November 18, 2020 at 5:11 pm

    5 stars
    I can't believe you can make this is 4 hours! I remember making it years ago and I vaguely remember it took DAYS!! Such a beautiful dough!!! 🙂 ~Valentina

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      November 21, 2020 at 12:04 pm

      This quick recipe is a true time saver!

      Reply
    • Jessi says

      November 29, 2022 at 1:26 pm

      How long do you cook it and at what temperature?

      Reply
      • Kathy says

        November 29, 2022 at 1:52 pm

        Hi Jessi,
        Puff pastry is used in other recipes and isn't cooked on its own. Here are a couple to try: Puff Pastry Pinwheels, Puff Pastry Straws, or Baked Eggs with Puff Pastry.

        Check out those links to see how you can use it.
        Kathy

  6. David @ Spiced says

    November 17, 2020 at 4:21 am

    5 stars
    This recipe is perfect for the holidays! (Well, it's perfect year-round because puff pastry is so versatile.) I always keep a box of puff pastry in the freezer, but it can be rather expensive. I'll have to try making my own here soon!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      November 17, 2020 at 4:30 am

      Puff pastry is one of those items that is so great to have on hand.

      Reply
  7. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    November 16, 2020 at 7:14 am

    5 stars
    I use puff pastry all the time, but have never made my own! Brilliant idea, especially for the upcoming holiday season. So many delicious uses!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      November 16, 2020 at 6:02 pm

      This quick version makes it so doable! Plus you can store it in your freezer - easy peasy!

      Reply
  8. Amanda says

    January 18, 2020 at 11:49 am

    Hi,
    Just wondering if this recipe is considered 1 pastry sheet or two? Looks like a great recipe and am excited to try it!

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      January 18, 2020 at 4:00 pm

      Hi Amanda,
      This makes two sheets of pastry.

      Reply
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5 from 43 votes (27 ratings without comment)

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I'm Kathy, and I love to create delicious recipes from scratch utilizing many ingredients that we grow and raise. I'm a recipe creator, food photographer, and cookbook author!

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