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Brazilian recipe

Homemade Crispy Pastel Dough (Massa de pastel)

Master the art of making a light and crunchy pastry dough from scratch. With just a few ingredients, you can create thin, versatile sheets perfect for your favorite fillings.

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30 min preparation 10 min cooking 6 portions 1207 product views
Homemade Crispy Pastel Dough (Massa de pastel)

Ingredients

1 tbsp salt
200ml warm water
Filling of your choice, prepared and cooled
2 tbsp oil or melted lard
1 tbsp white vinegar
500g all-purpose flour

Where to find ingredients

All ingredients are readily available at local grocery stores, markets, or specialized provisions shops. Lard can be used as a traditional fat, while refined sunflower or vegetable oil serves as a standard substitute for both the dough and frying.

Preparation method

  1. In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt.
  2. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the oil (or lard) and vinegar.
  3. Gradually pour in the warm water while incorporating the ingredients with your hands, until the dough begins to pull away from your fingers.
  4. Transfer the dough to a smooth surface and knead vigorously until it achieves a soft and homogeneous texture.
  5. If necessary, adjust the consistency by adding a few drops of water if too stiff, or dusting with flour if it feels sticky.
  6. Cover the dough with a clean cloth and let it rest for 20 minutes.
  7. Roll out the dough using a rolling pin until it is very thin.
  8. Cut the dough into your desired shape and size.
  9. Place a portion of your preferred filling in the center of the dough and close it, pressing down firmly on the edges to seal.
  10. Deep-fry the pastéis in hot oil until they turn golden brown.
  11. Drain any excess oil on paper towels and serve immediately.

Observations

This pastel dough is a cornerstone of Brazilian culinary tradition, cherished for its signature crunch and simplicity. The secret to achieving professional results lies in kneading the dough thoroughly until it becomes smooth, followed by rolling it out to a very thin consistency. This technique ensures perfectly golden pastries that do not absorb excess oil during deep-frying.
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Preparation method

Step-by-step images

Step 1

In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt.

In a large bowl, mix the flour and salt.
Step 2

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the oil (or lard) and vinegar.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the oil (or lard) and vinegar.
Step 3

Gradually pour in the warm water while incorporating the ingredients with your hands, until the dough begins to pull away from your fingers.

Gradually pour in the warm water while incorporating the ingredients with your hands, until the dough begins to pull away from your fingers.
Step 4

Transfer the dough to a smooth surface and knead vigorously until it achieves a soft and homogeneous texture.

Transfer the dough to a smooth surface and knead vigorously until it achieves a soft and homogeneous texture.
Step 5

If necessary, adjust the consistency by adding a few drops of water if too stiff, or dusting with flour if it feels sticky.

If necessary, adjust the consistency by adding a few drops of water if too stiff, or dusting with flour if it feels sticky.
Step 6

Cover the dough with a clean cloth and let it rest for 20 minutes.

Cover the dough with a clean cloth and let it rest for 20 minutes.
Step 7

Roll out the dough using a rolling pin until it is very thin.

Roll out the dough using a rolling pin until it is very thin.
Step 8

Cut the dough into your desired shape and size.

Cut the dough into your desired shape and size.
Step 9

Place a portion of your preferred filling in the center of the dough and close it, pressing down firmly on the edges to seal.

Place a portion of your preferred filling in the center of the dough and close it, pressing down firmly on the edges to seal.
Step 10

Deep-fry the pastéis in hot oil until they turn golden brown.

Deep-fry the pastéis in hot oil until they turn golden brown.
Step 11

Drain any excess oil on paper towels and serve immediately.

Drain any excess oil on paper towels and serve immediately.
Final result

Homemade Crispy Pastel Dough (Massa de pastel)

Homemade Crispy Pastel Dough (Massa de pastel)

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