Popular's Guava Pastelitos: Sweet & Flaky Pastries
Delicate puff pastry shells filled with tangy guava paste, creating a perfect balance of sweet and flaky. These handheld treats are a beloved Puerto Rican dessert for any occasion. This puerto rican-inspired mexican ready in about 40 minutes pairs sheet (14 oz), thawed puff pastry, large, beaten egg, granulated sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, softened at room temperature guava paste
- 1 sheet (14 oz), thawed puff pastry
- 1 large, beaten egg
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Step 2: On a lightly floured surface, roll thawed puff pastry sheet to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 4-inch squares (yielding 8 squares).
- Step 3: Place 1 tablespoon (15g) guava paste in center of each square. Fold pastry over to form triangles, pressing edges to seal. Crimp edges with a fork to secure.
- Step 4: Place pastelitos on baking sheet. Brush tops with beaten egg and sprinkle with 1/4 cup granulated sugar (about 1 tbsp per pastelito).
- Step 5: Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and puffed. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Popular's Guava Pastelitos: Sweet & Flaky Pastries take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (25 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Popular's Guava Pastelitos: Sweet & Flaky Pastries?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep large, beaten egg from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Popular's Guava Pastelitos: Sweet & Flaky Pastries?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Popular's Guava Pastelitos: Sweet & Flaky Pastries for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Popular's Guava Pastelitos: Sweet & Flaky Pastries?
Puerto Rican mexican like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
