Whether or not to pre-bake puff pastry before filling is a common question for bakers working with this delicate and flaky dough. The answer depends on the type of puff pastry, the filling being used, and the final shape of the baked good.
What is Puff Pastry?
Puff pastry is a light, flaky, and buttery dough made by layering butter between sheets of dough and folding and rolling out the dough to create hundreds of thin, alternating layers of butter and dough. When baked, the water in the butter creates steam which causes the dough layers to puff up and separate. This creates the signature flaky layers and airy texture of puff pastry.
There are two main types of puff pastry:
- Rough puff pastry – Made by folding the dough into thirds like a letter and rolling and folding the dough 4-6 times. It has less defined layers than fine puff pastry.
- Fine puff pastry – Made by giving the dough a series of folds called a book fold or envelope fold. It is rolled and folded 24-30 times creating hundreds of paper-thin layers.
Fine puff pastry creates bakery-quality, intricate layers, while rough puff is quicker and easier to make at home.
Should You Pre-Bake Puff Pastry?
Pre-baking puff pastry before adding fillings can help ensure the interior fully cooks through without over-browning the exterior. However, pre-baking is not necessary in all cases and can create some drawbacks.
Here are some benefits of pre-baking puff pastry:
- Cooks the interior dough layers through while allowing you to monitor browning
- Reduces shrinking and puffing unevenly when baked a second time
- Helps prevent soggy bottoms in filled pies, tarts, etc.
Some drawbacks of pre-baking include:
- Can dry out the pastry, making it less flaky
- Makes the pastry more prone to becoming misshapen
- Takes extra time and effort
When to Pre-Bake Puff Pastry
Here are some guidelines on when pre-baking puff pastry is recommended:
- For quiches, tarts, pies, etc. with moist fillings: Pre-bake to set the crust and prevent a soggy bottom.
- For large or thick pieces: Pre-bake to allow the interior to cook through.
- For delicate shapes: Pre-bake flat shapes before molding to maintain the shape.
- For fine puff pastry: Pre-bake to maximize rise and separate the delicate layers.
In these cases, pre-bake at 375°F until lightly browned, about 15 minutes depending on thickness.
When Not to Pre-Bake
Here are some cases when you can skip pre-baking:
- For small pastries: The insides will cook thoroughly without pre-baking.
- For palmiers, cheese straws, etc.: Shaping and cutting raw locks in the layers.
- For sweet pies and tarts: Fruit juices will help moisten the filling.
- For savory appetizers: You want to maintain the soft and flaky layers.
How to Fill and Shape Pre-Baked Puff Pastry
If pre-baking puff pastry, here are some tips for filling and shaping:
- Let the pastry cool completely before filling to prevent melting or softening the filling.
- Handle the pastry gently and fill gently to avoid compressing the layers.
- Brush with egg wash before baking again for sheen and browning.
- Reduce baking time by about 5-10 minutes since it is already partially baked.
Example Recipes Using Pre-Baked Puff Pastry
Here are some example recipes that use pre-baked puff pastry:
Baked Brie in Puff Pastry
Pre-bake a puff pastry shell before filling with Brie cheese and baking again until the cheese is melted and puff pastry is golden brown.
Chicken Pot Pie
Line a pie dish with puff pastry and pre-bake until just set. Fill with cooked chicken and vegetables, top with more pastry, and bake again to brown the top crust.
Vegetable Tarts
Press puff pastry into tart pans or free-form tarts. Pre-bake until puffed and lightly browned then fill with roasted veggies and cheese.
Example Recipes Without Pre-Baking
Here are some examples of recipes where you can skip pre-baking the puff pastry:
Palmiers
Shape and bake palmier cookies directly from raw puff pastry twisted into hearts or pinwheels.
Beef Wellington
Wrap beef tenderloin in puff pastry and bake from raw for an evenly browned and flaky crust.
Apple Turnovers
Fill raw puff pastry with apple pie filling, fold over, seal and bake for flaky apple pastries.
Storing and Freezing Pre-Baked Puff Pastry
Here are some tips for storing pre-baked puff pastry:
- Let cool completely then store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.
- For longer storage, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for 2-3 months.
- Thaw frozen pre-baked puff in the refrigerator before using.
- Bring to room temperature before filling and baking again.
Conclusion
Pre-baking puff pastry before filling is recommended when making delicate shapes, moist pies or tarts, or very large or thick pieces to ensure the interior fully cooks through. For smaller pieces or items where you want soft and flaky layers like palmiers or beef wellington, you can skip pre-baking. Use your discretion based on the recipe and your preferences for texture.
