Top ideas for what to make with puff pastry

What is puff pastry?

Puff pastry is a light, buttery dough defined by its delicate, flaky layers. Created through lamination – where butter is folded and rolled into the dough – it rises in the oven to form a crisp, airy texture.

Rich yet versatile, it’s the base for everything from savoury pies and sausage rolls to sweet tarts and turnovers.

It also stands apart from other pastries. Shortcrust is firmer and crumbly, ideal for structured bakes like quiches. Choux is soft and airy, used for éclairs and profiteroles, while filo is ultra-thin and crisp, delivering a lighter crunch without the same rise.

How to use puff pastry

Puff pastry is best kept cold and handled as little as possible. The key is to work quickly so the butter stays firm and the layers remain intact.

If you’re using ready-rolled puff pastry, defrost fully if frozen – ideally in the fridge – then unroll it onto a lightly floured surface or straight onto a baking tray, depending on your recipe. From there, it’s ready to cut, shape, fill, or top before baking.

For ready-to-roll or homemade pastry, roll lightly to reach your required size. Keep pressure gentle to protect the layers, as overworking or rolling too thin can prevent it from rising properly.

Fancy making your own pastry from scratch? A rough puff is a great starting point. Try this lemony leek, potato and cheddar galette, with a rustic homemade pastry base, flavoured with lemon zest and thyme, with buttery leeks, thinly sliced potatoes and cheddar.

What to make with puff pastry

Golden puff pastry will make midweek meals feel a little more special without any fuss. It’s just as good for speedy snacks and sweet treats too – try these easy, crowd-pleasing ideas:

• Spinach and feta pie:

  Spinach, onions, feta and herbs baked under a golden, crisp all-butter puff pastry lid.

• Tenderstem broccoli and salmon tart:

  A dinner party-worthy dish, ready in under 30 minutes, featuring pastry topped with hollandaise, honey-roast hot-smoked salmon, and vibrant Tenderstem broccoli.

• Puff pastry pinwheels:

  Perfect for parties and lunchboxes, and easy to mix up with different flavour combinations.

• Sausage rolls:

  A classic for a reason – try these three tasty filling twists on the traditional sausage roll.

• Easy vegan chocolate turnovers:

  A four-ingredient, plant-based dessert that’s quick to make and packed with flavour.

• Millefeuille:

  A showstopping afternoon tea favourite, layering crisp puff pastry with crème pâtissière, raspberries and a feathered fondant finish.

Get inspired with M&S Food

From tasty, budget-friendly family recipes to a handy online catalogue where you can check stock at your local Foodhall, explore a wealth of inspiration, plus useful tips and tricks, all in one place online.