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It’s no secret that my older daughter has an interest in pop tarts (since I recently shared on facebook that she’s apparently been “trading” at snack time to get some!) so clearly I had to do something about it.
First of all, we took her to the store and let her pick out a box of organic frosted pop tarts. Organic or not…they are still completely junk food with loads of added sugar. I am not the one who is 7-years-old though, and I can understand how “store-bought” and “packaging” may sometimes play an important role at school.
So I showed her how much sugar they contain, in order to convey that they are really more of a dessert than a snack, and she decided she’d like to take one as a snack anyway and one as a dessert on another day (they come in packs of 2). I let my younger daughter do the same, and she was beyond thrilled to be an innocent bystander in all of this decision making :).
After all of that was behind us I put the box of remaining pop tarts “away” (up high and not visible in the pantry of course!) and thankfully neither child said much else about it. Hoping their need for “store bought” pop tarts was satisfied I decided we should try making our own as well.
I am not the first person to make a homemade knock-off pop tart recipe so just think of these as the super EASY whole-grain version. I honestly can’t believe how easy these are to make and how good they taste...everyone loves them! They are for the “kids” of course, but I find myself rationing out my share as well.
I never liked pop tarts as a kid myself because I was a toaster strudel girl, but this recipe somehow unites both of those worlds with one pretty awesome outcome. Just try for yourself, and you’ll see that this recipe does not disappoint.
Whole-Wheat Toaster Pastries (aka Poptarts!)
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cup whole-wheat flour (plus extra for rolling out the dough)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup butter (cold, unsalted (2 sticks))
- ½ cup water (plus ice)
- 1 egg (beaten with a splash of water)
- 8 tablespoons jam (we prefer either homemade jam or an all-fruit spread that’s sweetened with fruit juice concentrate as opposed to sugar or high-fructose corn syrup)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Put the flour and salt in a food processor with the dough blade and pulse it together briefly.
- Meanwhile fill a glass measuring cup with ½ cup water and add a few ice cubes to it.
- Take the cold butter straight out of the fridge and cut it into ½ inch chunks. Sprinkle the pieces of butter on top of the flour in the food processor. Be careful to spread out the butter as opposed to letting it all clump together in one piece.
- Turn on the food processor and blend until the mixture resembles a crumbly meal. While the food processor is still running add ⅓ cup water through the top. Watch the dough come together and add 2 – 3 more teaspoons of water as needed so a dough ball will form. If some of the dough is in a ball and some is stuck to the sides that is okay…you can fix it with your hands. At this point the dough could be stored in the fridge in plastic wrap for up to 3 days or in the freezer (in a freezer safe container) for up to 6 months.
- Remove the dough from the food processor and put it on a lightly floured counter or large cutting board. With a rolling pin (and another sprinkling of flour) flatten out the dough to one big rectangle or square that’s no more than a quarter inch thick. Trim any uneven ends and use those to patch other edges as necessary.
- Using a knife cut out 14 to 16 rectangles of dough. Actually you could make them any shape or size that you want at this point. Lay half of your dough shapes onto the parchment lined baking sheet. Spoon about a tablespoon of jam down the middle of those bottom dough pieces.
- Top them with matching dough shapes and seal around the edges by pushing down with a fork. Make a few holes in the top with the fork as well. Lastly, brush the tops of the uncooked toaster pastries with the egg wash.
- Bake at 375 degrees F for 18 – 24 minutes or until golden brown. Cool the cooked pastries on a cooling rack (if you have one) then either eat them right away or store them in the fridge for 3 days or the freezer for several months. They can be eaten cold or reheated. Enjoy!
Lindsay says
I don't have a food processor. Is there any way that I can mix all the ingredients by hand? I'm such a newbie in need of so much assistance. Help!
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Lindsay. Yes, pastry dough can easily be made by hand. This might help as an example: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/shortcrustpastry_1278. ~Amy
Elaine Maier says
Love these! They are easy to make.
TeresaL says
Is there an alternative to butter for this? We usually use coconut oil instead of butter but do you know if that would work or if something else would?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Teresa. Other readers have used coconut oil in this recipe successfully.
Cmk says
My boys LOVE these for school! This was my first time playing with dough, so I was a bit (really) apprehensive about making them but they turned out great. I love thinking that they're another addition to my freezer arsenal. Thanks so much for yet another treat I feel good about.
Amber says
These were a huge mess! Not worth the butter.
100 Days Admin says
Amber, so sorry to hear it didn't work out for you. - Nicole
Nancy says
I don't usually post comments but need to take a minute (while my toaster pastries are baking in the oven) to mention how absolutely fantastic these are! My kids love them and ask me to make them repeatedly. I'm admittedly a sloppy baker and end up with flour on my clothes and all over my kitchen, but it's SO worth it to make something they enjoy that doesn't have all of the highly processed junk in it. THANK YOU, Lisa!
nita says
I made these but I must of done something wrong. Instead of being flaky they were chewy and tough. They were also not sweet at all. They tasted terrible. I'm going to re-try the recipe and see what happens.
100 Days Admin says
Nita, sorry they didn't turn out for you. Did you nd up re-trying them? - Nicole
Andrea says
These are currently in the oven! Planning to freeze them and use them for an on-the-go breakfast! But I'm going to sneak one in now! Can't wait to try!
Jill says
I made these today and they were a huge hit! I love your blog and am slowly working my way through your recipes. Thanks for all the great ideas.
Judy says
I made these with homemade pumpkin butter. They are a treat, but I normally get a dozen pop tarts out of it, (I use a round biscuit cutter) and freeze the extra. My kids eat these with yogurt, and fruit, so they only have one for breakfast. That said, I don't really worry about calories for my kids- they are active boys, and need the fuel, anyways!
Genius recipe- only takes me about 15 minutes to get them in the oven.
Mindy says
This was only okay and the least favorite of all of my 100 Days recipes I've tried. But my kids love making it and eating them and that's really the point. After I had already decided 'eh', I then plugged the recipe into a calorie counter and OUCH! Almost 330 each if you stretch the recipe to 9 pastries! Think of a pop tart with very little sweetness and a very heavy crust from that much butter and that sums it up. We used store bought organic strawberry fruit spread in most of them and I did some with apple sauce (from the site) with a lot of cinnamon. The jam was definitely better than the applesauce but because it lacked sweetness entirely. Would add a bit of honey to that version if I were to try again, but I probably won't.
100 Days Admin says
Sorry to hear you weren't pleased with this recipe. I'm glad your kids enjoyed making and eating them, though. :) - Nicole
Megan says
I make and freeze these. I freeze them in ziploc bags, I don't want to continue using the bags. What do you suggest freezing them in? Thanks!
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Meagan. Are you looking to get away from plastics completely? This might help: http://www.rodalenews.com/food-storage. You can find glass storage in Lisa's kitchen essentials: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/my-kitchen-essentials/. And, here is my go-to for glass storage: http://reviews.costco.com/2070/100089474/world-kitchen-inc-snapware-total-solution-38pc-plastic-food-storage-set-reviews/reviews.htm. Hope that helps. ~Amy
Sandi says
I like zipper bags because you can squoosh all the air out of them, which of course you can't do with glass. I wrap food in parchment, then put it in a bag and freeze it flat. That way the food doesn't touch the plastic. If they get a bit messy, just hand-wash them and use them again. It takes me about 2 years to go through a small box of bags.
KT says
Made these for the first time today and they were awesome!
Super easy to make, even without the food processor.
Thanks for the awesome recipe.
danielle says
How did you do this with out the food processor?
Diana Layne says
You use a dough hook or two forks to cut the butter into the flour. Be sure not to overwork and let it get too warm. My grandmother only used a dough hook to make her pie crusts and biscuits. I'm pretty sure I got mine at WalMart but you can order online too. OXO Good Grips Dough Blender with Blades
by OXO
Link: http://amzn.com/B000QJE48O
Kerry says
I made these today...yummy! I told the kids I was making homemade pop tarts and they said "What's a pop tart"? I guess that is a good thing! LOL! But I'll make these again for sure. Yummy.
Kimberly says
Instead of jam or jelly, what about using peanut butter and or Nutella? Do you think that the amount would be the same?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Kimberly. Well, that's not a combo we've tried. Let us know how it turns out. I would keep the filling amount the same. ~Amy
Mike says
What about using something like Almond flower instead of wheat?
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Mike. You are welcome to experiment with other flours but we have not substituted flours in this recipe. ~Amy
magee says
I just want to say so thankful for your blog it's enlighten and so helpful for those of us who want change
Donna says
Haha! I remember trading my friend at school! BUT I was the one that had the twinkies and doritos. I traded them for my friends popcorn, dill pickles, and sliced apples!!!
Heather says
I was wondering of you could make the pastry without egg? My daughter is allergic :(
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Heather. You can often replace egg with flax eggs in baking: http://www.veganbaking.net/recipes/egg-replacers/flax-seed-egg-replacer. I've not tried it in this recipe. ~Amy
Nadine says
One thing I love about eating healthy on a regular basis is that we don't have to worry or feel bad about the occasional treat!
Kristy says
I made Weelicious' version of pumpkin poptarts last fall. I used a store bought (immaculate baking) crust and it was sort of funky tasting. I am a little intimidated by rolling out crusts. But, I will be giving your recipe a try. (My kids only know what poptarts are from their friends).
Jill says
I think that's a great way to handle it! If things are totally off limits then kids are just going to want them more and will get sneaky about it. I know I did!
Emily says
Could these be re heated in the toaster? As you would regular pop tarts
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Emily. No, the jelly can leak from the pastry and burn up in hte toaster. The oven is the better choice. ~Amy
Paige says
I am attempting to begin the real food journey and get back to eating like we are supposed to. My husband, however, loves toaster strudel. I was just wondering if you had a recipe for some sort of icing to put on top of these. I would really love to freeze these for him and get rid of the packaged junk version, but I know he wouldn't eat them without some sort of icing resembling the toaster strudel version. Thanks!
Steph says
You could make a quick icing out of powdered sugar and milk-- tiny bit of milk, lots of sugar, and you could make a very thin layer. You can make your own powdered sugar by running sugar through a food processor until it's a fine consistency.
angie says
just mix some milk, powdered sugar and little vanilla.
Crystal says
What about a drizzle of maple syrup? Or she has a recipe for a chocolate syrup on here as well that might work. Or do you think it needs to have the icing consistency?
Nadine says
You can make a healthy icing with greek yogurt and honey or maple syrup. It spreads really nicely like icing.
jenny says
Found it#
jenny says
you may want to add this one to your recipe index
Kelly says
How long do you reheat the pastry when you remove from freezer in an oven? ( I see the temp but needing to know how long).
Amy Taylor (comment moderator) says
Hi Kelly. I would defrost overnight and reheat for 8-10 minutes. ~Amy
Jennifer says
I made a batch of these this morning using organic blueberry preserves and they were amazing. Both of my children complained that the dough was not sweet like a real poptart. I want to add honey to the next batch of dough, but I don't know how much I should add or whether I should omit some of the butter or water?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Jennifer. We've not tried that so it would be an experiment but I imagine you could add a couple tablespoons of honey without changing much. Just pay attention to the consistency of the dough as you are adding the water gradually. ~Amy
Jennifer says
Thank you, Amy. I tried it today with 2 tablespoons. It is great! I'll be doing it that way from now on. :D
Heather Dishion says
Hello, I know you font include any nutritional info for recipes, however I have to have carb counts for my diabetic daughter!! Do any recipes have these, in your cookbook? I can't make any of these, without an accurate count, thanks.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Heather. No, I'm sorry. We do not have nutrition details in the cookbook. Lisa's goal for the book is the same as for the blog: getting people off of processed food and onto real, whole, and fresh foods without an emphasis on the numbers. There are several online tools that will calculate those details for you. Many readers use My Fitness Pal. ~Amy
Jessica Crump says
Tried these made with cold coconut oil instead of butter for the dough, they turned out yummy! I used orange marmalade for the filling, it's all we had in the fridge. Will make again, thanks for the idea!
Randi says
Hi there, I do not have a dough blade, hook, bread machine or any dough tools. Could you tell me how I would make these by hand?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Randi. Here is another toaster pastry recipe that you can use to guide you as you make your dough by hand: http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2010/04/homemade-pop-tarts/. Keep it real, however, with Lisa's ingredients, as this one uses refined flour and sugar. :) ~Amy
misty says
Can you make them without a food processor. I have a very old one and don't think I ever had a dough blade with mine.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Misty. Sure you can. It is just a little more work. :)
Suzanne says
Hi! Sorry if this has been asked already, but what if I don't have a dough blade on my processor? Can I make the dough with something else?
Thanks and congratulations on your cookbook! Can't wait to try out some new recipes!!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Suzanne. It can be made by hand. Here is a recipe that shows how: http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2010/04/homemade-pop-tarts/....but be sure to use Lisa's ingredients. :) ~Amy
Taryn says
Sorry if this has already been covered, but can these be frozen? If so, how do you recommend? Thank you!!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Taryn. They can. I usually freeze these in a plastic freezer bag separated by wax paper. Remove as much air as possible from the bag. ~Amy
rachael says
Have you ever tried making these with a cream cheese inside? Just wondering if that would turn out OK or not...
Farmer Kim says
I was just going to ask the same thing as I have made something similar with goat cheese, but I think I will try this pastry recipe.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hey there. We've not but I think it would work. ~Amy
Dee Handa says
I tried to make these and they turned out very dry and with a weird taste. I followed the instructions to a 'T' and have never been disappointed with any recipes posted on this site. I am not sure what else to do. The crust tasted like unbanked flour althought they were completely baked through.
100 Days Admin says
I'm sorry to hear they didn't work out for you. Have you tried making them again with better luck? - Nicole
Korilynn says
I can't wait to try these! I've been dying to make homemade poptarts for the kids.
Julie says
Can this be done without using a food processor?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Julie. It can but it is a thick dough that is tougher to mix by hand. ~Amy
Michele says
How can I make these vegan. I know I can use dairy free butter but what for the egg wash?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Michele. You could just leave that step out or brush it with your vegan butter. ~Amy
Julia @ Save Big, Live Better! says
Love this! I can't wait to try it!
Shared a link to it with our fans at Savebiglivebetter.com:)