Discover the best breakfast pastry recipes to start your day on a delightful note. Whether you crave something sweet, savory, or just plain flaky, we’ve got you covered.
Introduction to Breakfast Pastries
Who doesn’t love the aroma of freshly baked pastries wafting through the air in the morning? Breakfast pastries are more than just food; they’re an experience that brings comfort, joy, and a perfect start to the day. Whether making a quick grab-and-go meal or sitting down with a cup of coffee, pastries are versatile, satisfying, and irresistibly delicious.
This guide provides a thorough understanding of the nutritional value of pastries. You might also enjoy reading about the different types of breakfast baked goods and their history at The Spruce Eats.
Why Breakfast Pastries?
Breakfast pastries combine convenience with indulgence. Made from various types of dough—like puff pastry, croissant dough, or brioche—these treats cater to sweet and savory tastes. Breakfast pastry recipes are designed to be adaptable; they’re perfect for any occasion, from a slow Sunday morning to a busy weekday rush.
What Makes a Great Breakfast Pastry Recipe?
The key to a successful breakfast pastry is the balance of flavor, texture, and the right amount of flakiness. Each bite should be light yet rich, delivering satisfaction without overwhelming. Pastries such as Danish, croissants, or turnovers are classic examples that highlight both flavor and the delicate balance of ingredients.
The Classics: French, Italian, and American Pastries
French Pastries: Croissants and Pain au Chocolat
When thinking about breakfast pastries, one can’t ignore the classics of French cuisine. Croissants, with their buttery, flaky layers, are a worldwide favorite. Making croissants from scratch can be labor-intensive, but the reward is the unmistakable melt-in-your-mouth texture. If you’re in the mood for something slightly sweeter, consider making pain au chocolat. This treat takes the same croissant dough but wraps it around a rich bar of chocolate.
Here’s a step-by-step guide for making the perfect croissants at home:
- Ingredients: Flour, butter, yeast, sugar, salt, milk.
- Steps:
- Create a yeast dough and let it rise.
- Incorporate layers of butter by folding.
- Shape, proof, and bake.
- Tips: Make sure your butter is cold but pliable—it helps to create those essential layers.
Pain au chocolat is similar but easier for those starting out. Simply roll chocolate sticks into your dough, proof, and bake until golden.
Italian Pastries: Cornetto and Sfogliatella
Italy offers its own take on breakfast pastries. The cornetto resembles the French croissant but is often softer and a bit sweeter, frequently filled with jam or custard. The layers are not as rigid, providing a tender bite compared to its French cousin.
Another Italian favorite is sfogliatella, a shell-shaped pastry with a filling of sweet ricotta. The delicate, thin layers of this pastry make it a bit challenging but immensely rewarding to make. To create the perfect sfogliatella, pay attention to dough consistency—the goal is to roll the layers as thin as possible without tearing.
American Pastries: Cinnamon Rolls and Pop Tarts
American breakfast pastries are synonymous with comfort food. Cinnamon rolls, for example, are a staple in many homes—the warm blend of cinnamon, butter, and sugar is hard to beat. Here’s how to make the best cinnamon rolls:
- Dough Ingredients: Flour, yeast, sugar, butter, egg, milk.
- Filling: Butter, cinnamon, sugar.
- Icing: Cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract.
For those looking for a quicker alternative, pop tarts are another classic—essentially pastry pockets filled with jam or fruit preserves. While store-bought pop tarts are common, homemade versions allow for creativity in flavor and a more wholesome approach.
Danish Pastries: A Blend of Sweetness and Layers
Danish pastries are known for their flaky layers and various fillings. Originating in Denmark, these pastries have become a breakfast favorite worldwide. Danish dough is similar to croissant dough but with an added egg for richness and a slightly sweeter taste.
- Popular Fillings:
- Fruit Preserves: Strawberry, raspberry, and apricot are common.
- Cream Cheese: Often sweetened with sugar and vanilla, providing a smooth texture.
- Almond Paste: Adds a nutty, sweet flavor that complements the buttery dough.
Danish pastries are versatile and can be shaped into various forms, such as pinwheels, pockets, or braids. They’re perfect for a breakfast buffet or a special morning treat.
Types of Pastry Dough: Shortcrust, Puff, and Choux
Understanding Different Dough Types
To master breakfast pastry recipes, it’s crucial to understand the different doughs used:
- Puff Pastry: Known for its countless flaky layers, used in croissants and turnovers.
- Choux Pastry: A light dough used for cream puffs or eclairs, where steam provides the lift.
- Shortcrust Pastry: Typically used for tarts, this dough is crisp and crumbly, perfect for filling with custards or fruits.
- Filo Pastry: Paper-thin dough used for layered pastries, such as baklava or spanakopita, which are also great breakfast options.
Making Puff Pastry from Scratch
While puff pastry is available ready-made, making it from scratch yields superior results. To prepare it at home:
- Ingredients: Flour, salt, butter, water.
- Process:
- Create a dough and chill.
- Fold the butter block into the dough, and roll out.
- Perform multiple folds to create layers.
- Chill after each fold to ensure butter stays cold.
The key is patience—making sure everything stays cool keeps the butter from melting and ensures the layers are distinct.
Choux Pastry for a Light Breakfast Treat
If you’re in the mood for something lighter, choux pastry is ideal. This versatile dough can be used for sweet fillings like custard or savory additions such as cheese and herbs. Unlike puff pastry, choux relies on steam for its rise, making it airy and light—a perfect contrast to the richness of the filling.
Shortcrust Pastry for Breakfast Tarts
Shortcrust pastry is commonly used for breakfast tarts and quiches. Its crumbly texture makes it perfect for holding fillings without becoming soggy. Popular breakfast options include:
- Fruit Tarts: Filled with seasonal fruits and custard.
- Quiche Lorraine: A savory tart filled with bacon, eggs, and cheese, perfect for a hearty breakfast.
Filo Pastry for a Crispy Start
Filo pastry is unique due to its ultra-thin layers, resulting in a crisp texture when baked. It’s often used in both sweet and savory breakfast dishes, such as:
- Baklava Rolls: Filled with nuts and honey, offering a sweet start to the day.
- Spanakopita: A savory Greek pastry filled with spinach and feta, ideal for a flavorful breakfast.
Savory Breakfast Pastry Recipes
Ham and Cheese Croissants
If you prefer something savory in the morning, ham and cheese croissants are an excellent choice. These take the classic croissant dough and incorporate thinly sliced ham and gruyère cheese. Here’s how you can make them:
- Ingredients: Croissant dough, sliced ham, cheese.
- Method:
- Roll out the croissant dough into triangles.
- Place ham and cheese in the center, then roll tightly.
- Proof until puffy, then bake until golden.
Spinach and Feta Turnovers
Another savory favorite is spinach and feta turnovers. Using puff pastry as a base, these can be made quickly and deliver a satisfying mix of creamy cheese and greens.
- Ingredients: Puff pastry, spinach, feta cheese, onion, garlic.
- Instructions:
- Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted, then mix in feta.
- Fill pastry squares, fold over to create triangles, and bake until golden brown.
Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Braid
A sausage and cheese breakfast braid is a visually impressive and delicious savory option. This dish uses puff pastry braided around a filling of cooked sausage, scrambled eggs, and cheese.
- Ingredients: Puff pastry, sausage, eggs, cheddar cheese.
- Method:
- Cook the sausage and scramble the eggs.
- Roll out the puff pastry and place the filling in the center.
- Cut slits on each side and braid the pastry over the filling.
- Bake until golden and crisp.
Mushroom and Goat Cheese Tart
For a sophisticated savory breakfast, try a mushroom and goat cheese tart. This dish uses shortcrust pastry as a base and is filled with sautéed mushrooms, creamy goat cheese, and herbs.
- Ingredients: Shortcrust pastry, mushrooms, goat cheese, thyme, garlic.
- Instructions:
- Sauté mushrooms with garlic and thyme until tender.
- Roll out shortcrust pastry and fit it into a tart pan.
- Spread the mushroom mixture over the base and crumble goat cheese on top.
- Bake until the pastry is golden and the cheese is slightly melted.
Sweet Breakfast Pastry Recipes
Apple Turnovers
Apple turnovers are one of the best sweet breakfast treats. These use puff pastry filled with a sweet apple mixture, spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Filling:
- Apples (peeled and diced)
- Sugar
- Cinnamon and nutmeg
- Cornstarch (to thicken)
After preparing the filling, simply fold the puff pastry over it, crimp the edges, and bake until golden.
Danish Pastries
Danish pastries can be customized with an endless array of fillings—cream cheese, fruit preserves, or even a nutty almond paste.
- Dough Preparation:
- Danish dough is similar to croissant dough but often sweeter and with an egg added for richness.
- Filling Ideas:
- Cream Cheese: Mix softened cream cheese with sugar and vanilla.
- Fruit Preserves: Apricot, raspberry, or blueberry are popular choices.
- Nut Paste: Almond paste with a hint of sugar for added texture and taste.
Berry Cream Cheese Pastries
These berry cream cheese pastries are easy to make and perfect for a quick morning treat. Using puff pastry as a base, they are filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture and topped with fresh berries.
- Ingredients: Puff pastry, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, fresh berries.
- Method:
- Mix cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Cut puff pastry into squares and add a dollop of the cream cheese mixture.
- Top with fresh berries and bake until golden.
Sticky Pecan Buns
Sticky pecan buns are a decadent breakfast pastry that combines the sweetness of caramel with the crunch of pecans.
- Dough Ingredients: Flour, yeast, sugar, butter, egg, milk.
- Caramel Topping: Butter, brown sugar, pecans.
- Instructions:
- Prepare the dough and let it rise.
- Roll out the dough, spread with butter, and sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Roll into a log, slice, and place in a baking dish with the caramel topping.
- Bake until golden and sticky.
Cherry Almond Breakfast Tart
A cherry almond breakfast tart is a delightful combination of sweet cherries and nutty almond flavors, all encased in a buttery shortcrust pastry.
- Ingredients: Shortcrust pastry, cherries, almond extract, sugar, sliced almonds.
- Method:
- Roll out shortcrust pastry and fit it into a tart pan.
- Mix cherries with sugar and almond extract, then spread over the pastry.
- Sprinkle with sliced almonds and bake until the cherries are bubbly and the pastry is golden.
Tips for Perfect Breakfast Pastries
Keep Ingredients Cold
When making breakfast pastries, one essential tip is to keep the butter and dough cold at all times. This helps create flaky layers and prevents the butter from melting prematurely, which can ruin the texture.
Don’t Overwork the Dough
Overworking the dough leads to tough, less pleasant pastries. Be gentle when folding and shaping, especially for puff pastry or croissant dough.
Choose Quality Ingredients
The quality of your ingredients will make or break your breakfast pastries. Use real butter, high-quality flour, and fresh ingredients for fillings to ensure the best possible flavor.
Use the Right Tools
Having the right tools can make a big difference in the pastry-making process. Use a good rolling pin, pastry brush, and a bench scraper to handle the dough effectively. A digital thermometer can also help ensure your dough is at the right temperature before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have pastries for breakfast?
Absolutely! Breakfast pastry recipes are designed to be enjoyed as a morning treat. They provide a comforting, often slightly indulgent way to start the day, whether enjoyed with coffee or tea.
What is a typical Italian breakfast pastry?
A cornetto is the quintessential Italian breakfast pastry. It’s similar to a croissant but is often sweeter and sometimes filled with jam, custard, or even chocolate.
What are the 4 types of pastry?
The four main types of pastry are shortcrust, puff, choux, and filo. Each has unique characteristics and is used for different types of baked goods, from pies to layered pastries.
What is a famous French breakfast pastry?
The croissant is perhaps the most famous French breakfast pastry. It’s buttery, flaky, and perfect with a cup of coffee in the morning.