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Brazilian recipe

Homemade Crispy Street-Market Style Pastel Dough (Massa de pastel de feira e)

Master the art of the iconic Brazilian street-market pastry at home. This simple, reliable dough recipe creates perfectly crispy, golden-brown results every time.

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60 min preparation 8 min cooking 50 portions 203 product views
Homemade Crispy Street-Market Style Pastel Dough (Massa de pastel de feira e)

Ingredients

500g all-purpose flour
2 whole eggs
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
200ml warm water
1 tablespoon cachaça or vodka
2 pinches of salt

Where to find ingredients

Find all-purpose flour, vegetable oil, and salt at any local supermarket or neighborhood grocer. Cachaça is a specific Brazilian sugar cane spirit; it can be sourced at specialist spirit merchants. If unavailable, high-proof vodka serves as a functional substitute to ensure the dough remains crispy.

Preparation method

  1. In a large mixing bowl, lightly beat the eggs and whisk in the oil, the cachaça (or vodka), and the salt.
  2. Gradually add the flour to the liquid mixture, incorporating it until combined.
  3. Begin kneading the dough using your hands.
  4. Slowly add the warm water, continuing to knead until you achieve a smooth, uniform, and pliable texture.
  5. Take care to add the water gradually to ensure the dough does not become too soft.
  6. The ideal consistency is firm yet elastic, and it should not stick excessively to your fingers.
  7. If the dough feels too stiff, add a tiny splash of water.
  8. If it feels too sticky, add a little extra flour.
  9. Knead the dough vigorously for about 10 to 15 minutes to fully develop the gluten, which ensures the necessary elasticity.
  10. Divide the dough into smaller portions and roll each out on a lightly floured surface until very thin.
  11. Cut the rolled dough into your desired shapes, such as circles or rectangles, and add your chosen filling.
  12. Fold the dough over the filling and seal the edges tightly by pressing with your fingertips or the tines of a fork.
  13. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or pot over medium-high heat.
  14. Ensure the oil is hot enough for frying but not smoking.
  15. Deep-fry the pastries for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until they turn golden and crispy.
  16. Remove the pastries using a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil before serving.

Observations

The street-market pastel dough is an absolute classic in Brazilian street food culture, celebrated primarily for its distinct, bubbly crunch and the specific texture that draws lines at local market stalls.

Crafting this dough in your own kitchen is surprisingly straightforward and yields impressive results. Whether you're hosting a gathering or simply craving a fresh, hot snack, this recipe allows you to replicate that authentic experience with ease. Using just a handful of pantry staples and a little patience, this method is accessible to bakers of all levels.
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Preparation method

Step-by-step images

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, lightly beat the eggs and whisk in the oil, the cachaça (or vodka), and the salt.

In a large mixing bowl, lightly beat the eggs and whisk in the oil, the cachaça (or vodka), and the salt.
Step 2

Gradually add the flour to the liquid mixture, incorporating it until combined.

Gradually add the flour to the liquid mixture, incorporating it until combined.
Step 3

Begin kneading the dough using your hands.

Begin kneading the dough using your hands.
Step 4

Slowly add the warm water, continuing to knead until you achieve a smooth, uniform, and pliable texture.

Slowly add the warm water, continuing to knead until you achieve a smooth, uniform, and pliable texture.
Step 5

Take care to add the water gradually to ensure the dough does not become too soft.

Take care to add the water gradually to ensure the dough does not become too soft.
Step 6

The ideal consistency is firm yet elastic, and it should not stick excessively to your fingers.

The ideal consistency is firm yet elastic, and it should not stick excessively to your fingers.
Step 7

If the dough feels too stiff, add a tiny splash of water.

If the dough feels too stiff, add a tiny splash of water.
Step 8

If it feels too sticky, add a little extra flour.

If it feels too sticky, add a little extra flour.
Step 9

Knead the dough vigorously for about 10 to 15 minutes to fully develop the gluten, which ensures the necessary elasticity.

Knead the dough vigorously for about 10 to 15 minutes to fully develop the gluten, which ensures the necessary elasticity.
Step 10

Divide the dough into smaller portions and roll each out on a lightly floured surface until very thin.

Divide the dough into smaller portions and roll each out on a lightly floured surface until very thin.
Step 11

Cut the rolled dough into your desired shapes, such as circles or rectangles, and add your chosen filling.

Cut the rolled dough into your desired shapes, such as circles or rectangles, and add your chosen filling.
Step 12

Fold the dough over the filling and seal the edges tightly by pressing with your fingertips or the tines of a fork.

Fold the dough over the filling and seal the edges tightly by pressing with your fingertips or the tines of a fork.
Step 13

Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or pot over medium-high heat.

Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or pot over medium-high heat.
Step 14

Ensure the oil is hot enough for frying but not smoking.

Ensure the oil is hot enough for frying but not smoking.
Step 15

Deep-fry the pastries for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until they turn golden and crispy.

Deep-fry the pastries for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until they turn golden and crispy.
Step 16

Remove the pastries using a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil before serving.

Remove the pastries using a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil before serving.
Final result

Homemade Crispy Street-Market Style Pastel Dough (Massa de pastel de feira e)

Homemade Crispy Street-Market Style Pastel Dough (Massa de pastel de feira e)

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