Spiced Potato Pastelitos
Flaky puff pastry pockets filled with herbed mashed potatoes and melted cheese, golden-baked to perfection for a delightful appetizer. This puerto rican-inspired kid friendly ready in about 55 minutes pairs large, peeled and diced potatoes, butter, finely chopped onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 2 large, peeled and diced potatoes
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped onion
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped green bell pepper
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 sheet, thawed puff pastry
- 1, beaten egg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Boil diced potatoes in salted water for 15-20 minutes until tender. Drain, mash with 2 tbsp butter, then stir in chopped onion, green bell pepper, 2 tbsp flour, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp pepper, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro until combined.
- Step 2: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll thawed puff pastry sheet on a floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 4 equal rectangles.
- Step 3: Place 3 tbsp potato mixture in the center of each rectangle. Fold pastry over to form triangles, crimp edges with a fork, and brush tops with beaten egg.
- Step 4: Bake on a parchment-lined sheet for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and puffed. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Potato Pastelitos take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (30 min prep + 25 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 Spiced Potato Pastelitos?
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 butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Potato Pastelitos?
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 Spiced Potato Pastelitos for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Spiced Potato Pastelitos?
Puerto Rican kid friendly 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
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
