How to reheat puff pastry? (whatever it takes)
If you’ve got some frozen (or refrigerated) puff pastry and wondering the best way to reheat it, this article is for you.
The way you reheat the puff pastry is crucial, as reheating it incorrectly can result in a flat, unappealing puff pastry that is not what you expected.
In this article, we are going to explain step by step how to reheat puff pastry that you have stored in the fridge or freezer.
First, we’ll go over several key things to keep in mind when reheating puff pastry in general.
Below we will describe the detailed steps to follow for the two main reheating methods available: in the oven and in the microwave. For each one, we’ll cover how to reheat puff pastry from both the fridge and freezer.
Finally, we will finish by answering some related questions.
How to reheat puff pastry: Step by step guide
Reheating puff pastry: Things to consider
Since puff pastry is made primarily of flour, butter, and salt, it is safe to freeze or refrigerate and then reheat.
To reheat puff pastry, the same principles and processes apply, whether your puff pastry is made with meat, cheese, or some type of dessert.
However, keep in mind that thawed puff pastry stored in the fridge can mold and go bad in as little as 5 days. If you don’t plan on reheating the puff pastry on those days, I recommend wrapping it tightly or putting it in an airtight container and storing it in the freezer.
When reheating puff pastry, it’s important to keep in mind what your goals are. This is because depending on how you want your puff pastry to be, i.e. more or less fluffy, more or less crunchy, etc., there will be slight variations in how you go through the reheating process.
In general, there are two ways to reheat puff pastry:
- In the oven/toaster
- In the microwave
Although reheating in the oven/toaster oven is often the preferred method of reheating, we are going to cover both methods in detail.
Reheating in the oven is considered preferable because it provides more even heating, helps maintain the crispiness of the puff pastry, and ensures that the puff pastry will taste as close as possible to how it tasted fresh out of the oven the first time.
Note : If you are reheating in the oven and you don’t want the puff pastry to remain puffed (some recipes call for it), simply poke a hole in the center of the puff pastry before popping it in the oven. This will allow the interior moisture to escape from the puff pastry and thus flatten the puff pastry.
Reheating in the microwave is a great option if you need to reheat the puff pastry quickly, if you’re in a place that doesn’t have an oven or toaster, and if you’re not too picky about how crispy or puffy the puff pastry is.
Reheat puff pastry from the fridge in the oven
If you have recently made or purchased puff pastry that has been in the fridge, this is the best way to reheat it in the oven.
Note : Before reheating puff pastry (or any other food, for that matter), always make sure that the food hasn’t developed any mold and is not past its expiration date.
- Step 1 : Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius) if the puff pastry does not contain meat, and to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degrees Celsius) if the puff pastry contains meat.
- Step 2 : Take the puff pastry out of the fridge and place it on a baking tray, a mold or a cast iron skillet.
- Step 3 : Cover the top of the puff pastry with aluminum foil
- Step 4 : Put the puff pastry in the oven and set a timer for 10 minutes
- Step 5 : Take out of the oven, remove the aluminum foil and allow the puff pastry to cool to the desired temperature
- Step 6 : Serve and enjoy!
Reheat puff pastry from the freezer in the oven
To make sure that the puff pastry you take out of the freezer comes out perfectly from the oven, follow these steps:
Step 1 : Thaw the puff pastry in the fridge. Separate and place each sheet of puff pastry on a plate, cover it with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge for at least 5 hours.
Note : You can thaw the puff pastry at room temperature if you prefer to thaw it more quickly. You just have to make sure to put it in the fridge when 40 minutes have passed.
Step 2 : Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius) if the puff pastry does not contain meat, and to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121 degrees Celsius) if the puff pastry contains meat.
Step 3 : Take the puff pastry out of the fridge and place it on a baking tray, a mold or a cast iron skillet.
Step 4 : Cover the top of the puff pastry with aluminum foil
Step 5 : Put the puff pastry in the oven and set a timer for 10 minutes
Step 6 : Take out of the oven, remove the aluminum foil and allow the puff pastry to cool to the desired temperature
Step 7 : Serve and enjoy!
Reheat puff pastry from the fridge in the microwave
While reheating puff pastry from the fridge in the microwave is effective, there’s always the chance it will come out soggy, flat, and lose some of its crunch.
The microwave works by converting the moisture inside the puff pastry into steam, which in turn softens and moistens the puff pastry (making it soggy).
Here’s your step-by-step guide to reheating puff pastry in the microwave:
Step 1 : Take the puff pastry out of the fridge.
Step 2 – Place a damp paper towel over the puff pastry and microwave it on high for 20 seconds.
Step 3 : Take the puff pastry out of the microwave and check if it has reached the desired temperature.
Note : Although you can microwave the puff pastry longer at one time, it’s always best to heat it in 20-second increments, as the microwave has a tendency to heat food unevenly. So if you leave it for a full minute, one part of the puff pastry could come out sizzling hot while another part is still cold.
Step 4: Repeat the operation until the puff pastry has reached the desired temperature.
Step 5 : Serve and enjoy!
Reheat puff pastry from the freezer in the microwave
Although you can reheat puff pastry from the freezer in the microwave, it’s usually best to defrost the puff pastry first.
This is because it will take a long time for the puff pastry in the microwave to reach the desired temperature, and during that time the heat will be distributed unevenly, making the puff pastry soggy and flat.
Here’s your step-by-step guide to reheating puff pastry in the microwave:
Step 1: Defrost the puff pastry in the fridge. Separate and place each sheet of puff pastry on a plate, cover it with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge for at least 5 hours.
Note : You can thaw the puff pastry at room temperature if you prefer to thaw it more quickly. Just make sure you put it in the fridge after 40 minutes.
Step 2: Place a damp paper towel over the puff pastry and microwave it on high for 20 seconds.
Step 3 : Take the puff pastry out of the microwave and check if it has reached the desired temperature.
Note : Although you can microwave the puff pastry longer at one time, it’s always best to heat it in 20-second increments, as the microwave has a tendency to heat food unevenly. So if you leave it for a full minute, one part of the puff pastry could come out sizzling hot while another part is still cold.
Step 4: Repeat the operation until the puff pastry has reached the desired temperature.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy!
Related questions
How long can I freeze puff pastry?
When freezing puff pastry, as long as you follow proper freezing technique (letting it cool to room temperature first, then covering as much as possible), you can keep the puff pastry frozen for as long as you like.
When you’re ready to reheat it, just defrost the puff pastry and follow the steps above.
How can I keep the puff pastry from getting hot while the inside is cold?
If you reheat the puff pastry in the oven, the entire puff pastry will heat evenly and you won’t have to worry about the insides getting cold.
However, if you reheat puff pastry in the microwave, you may find that the outside gets hot and the inside isn’t hot enough.
Since microwaves heat from the outside in, there isn’t much you need to do other than heat in increments to make sure you don’t heat up the outside more than necessary.