Brazilian Recipe Brazilian Recipe
English Português English Español 日本語 中文 Русский Deutsch

Brazilian recipe

Homemade Crispy Pastel Dough (Massa de pastel)

Master the art of making light, crispy homemade pastel dough. With just a few pantry staples, you can achieve a thin, versatile pastry ready for any filling.

0.0 / 5 by 0 Reviews

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

Ingredients

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

Where to find ingredients

You can find all-purpose flour, white vinegar, and vegetable oil at local general retailers or markets like Chipiku or Shoprite. If using lard for a more traditional texture, check the butcher section. Ensure your work surface is well-dusted with extra flour to keep the dough from sticking while rolling.

Preparation method

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
  2. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the oil or lard along with the 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 clean work surface and knead vigorously until the texture is soft and uniform.
  5. Adjust the consistency if necessary by adding a few drops of water if too stiff, or a dusting of flour if it is sticking.
  6. Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rest for 20 minutes.
  7. Roll the dough out using a rolling pin until it is very thin.
  8. Cut the dough into your desired shapes and sizes.
  9. Place a portion of your chosen filling in the center and fold, pressing firmly along the edges to seal.
  10. Deep-fry the pastries 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 street food culture, beloved for its signature crunch and simplicity. To achieve a professional finish at home, the key is to knead the dough thoroughly until it is completely smooth and then roll it out as thinly as possible. This technique ensures your pastries fry up perfectly golden and remain light, rather than greasy.
Help keep this recipe accurate and useful. Use this channel to report an error, suggest improvements, praise or ask a question about the recipe.

Report something about this recipe

Use this channel to report an error, suggest improvements, praise or ask a question about the recipe.

Preparation method

Step-by-step images

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.

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

Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the oil or lard along with the vinegar.

Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the oil or lard along with the 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 clean work surface and knead vigorously until the texture is soft and uniform.

Transfer the dough to a clean work surface and knead vigorously until the texture is soft and uniform.
Step 5

Adjust the consistency if necessary by adding a few drops of water if too stiff, or a dusting of flour if it is sticking.

Adjust the consistency if necessary by adding a few drops of water if too stiff, or a dusting of flour if it is sticking.
Step 6

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

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

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

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

Cut the dough into your desired shapes and sizes.

Cut the dough into your desired shapes and sizes.
Step 9

Place a portion of your chosen filling in the center and fold, pressing firmly along the edges to seal.

Place a portion of your chosen filling in the center and fold, pressing firmly along the edges to seal.
Step 10

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

Deep-fry the pastries 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)

Ratings and comments

Share your experience

Tell us how the recipe turned out.

Photo of the recipe sent in the comment