How to Make Perfect Pocket Pastries for Parties

What is a party without food? From pop tarts to cocktail sausages, there is a favourite party snack for everyone. Pocket pastries are fun yet versatile snack that will surely keep your party guests entertained. You can make your pocket pastries sweet or savoury, extra crispy or even gooey on the inside.

To make pocket pastries, you would need a suitable pocket roller to shape the dough. If you are looking for one, the Betty Bossi Pocket Roller will be a great tool to use to make standard-sized pocket pastries. What's great about this pocket roller is that it saves you time from cutting and pressing it by hand. Thanks to its seamless cutting, you get to fully use the dough leaving very little to no waste at all.

Here are three tasty fillings to try out:

When making your pocket pastry, use this simple guide to make easy and tasty fillings. Go crazy and be creative with however you want your pocket pastries to taste. Whether it be sweet chocolate banana filled goodness, a tantalising apple puree and cinnamon filling or a grainy and cheesy takeover, these tasty fillings will surely ignite your senses.

Chocolate and Banana Filling:

You need: 1 ripe banana (100-150g) and 120g Nutella 

Option 1: Mash the banana using a fork or masher then add the Nutella into the bowl and give it a good mix.

Option 2: Spread the Nutella on the pastry sheet then add sliced bananas on top of the Nutella

To shape and bake, follow the instructions below.

Apple, Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Filling

You need: 1/2 red or green apple sliced or 200g apple puree, 1 tbsp brown sugar and 1 tbsp cinnamon 

Option 1: Place sliced apples on the pastry sheet. Add 1tbsp brown sugar and cinnamon on top of the sliced apple

Option 2: Place apple puree onto the pastry sheet. Add 1 tbsp of brown sugar and cinnamon on top of the puree.

To shape and bake, follow the instructions below.

Cheesy filling:

You need: 100g grated cheese and 1tbsp of caraway seeds, sliced ham, 1tbsp sesame seed, 1 tbsp poppy seeds

1. Add the grated cheese and sliced ham onto the pastry sheet. Add the caraway seeds, sesame seeds and poppy seeds for a savoury, grainy feel to your pocket pastry.
2. If you prefer something with a little heat, swap the grated cheese and ham with Thai green curry paste instead!
3. Optional: add a side salad to your pocket pastry to complete it as a quick meal.

Instructions:

You need: 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 2 pastry sheet (defrost if frozen)  [approx. 8 servings]

1. Roll out your ready-made pastry dough (approximately 25x42cm)
2. Spread your desired filling lengthwise on half of the dough
3. Fold over the empty half without the filling and peel off the baking paper from the dough.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough lightly with a rolling pin so the pastry isn't too thick.
5. Using the pocket roller, firmly press and roll the dough in a horizontal motion.
6.  Repeat until your entire dough is cut into small turnover pieces.
7. Place the turnover pieces onto a baking sheet. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly spray olive oil or butter to prevent the pastry from sticking.
8. Poke the top of each pocket with a fork to ventilate.
9. Preheat the oven to 400C
10. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown
11. Remove from oven and leave to cool down for about 10-12 minutes before separating it into pieces.

Tip: Brush the top of each pocket to make it golden brown

And voilà! You have three different flavoured pocket pastry for your guests to try out. What other fillings do you make when making your own pocket pastry? Share with us in the comment below. Even better, share with us your photo by hashtagging us at #kitchenwaress or @kitchenwaress so we can see how it turns out.

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