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Brazilian recipe

Crispy Homemade Pastel Dough: An Easy Recipe (Massa de pastel : receita prática)

Learn how to make a crisp, dry-fried homemade pastel dough. With just a few staple ingredients, you can achieve a thin and versatile pastry for any filling.

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30 min preparation 10 min cooking 6 portions 1221 product views
Crispy Homemade Pastel Dough: An Easy Recipe (Massa de pastel : receita prática)

Ingredients

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

Where to find ingredients

You can find all-purpose flour, salt, and vegetable oil at local supermarkets or general provision stores in Freetown. White vinegar and lard are commonly available in the baking or oils aisles of large grocery retailers.

Preparation method

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt.
  2. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the oil (or lard) and white 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 work surface and knead vigorously until it becomes soft and homogeneous in texture.
  5. If needed, adjust the consistency by adding a few drops of water if the dough feels too stiff, or a light 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 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 chosen filling in the center of the dough and fold over, pressing down firmly on the edges to seal.
  10. Deep-fry the pastéis in hot oil until they are golden brown.
  11. Drain the excess oil on paper towels and serve immediately.

Observations

This pastel dough is a staple of Brazilian cooking, highly valued for its signature crunch and the simplicity of making it from scratch. The secret to a professional finish is kneading the dough until it is perfectly smooth and rolling it out to a very thin consistency. This technique ensures your pastéis turn golden brown and remain light, without soaking up excess oil during deep-frying.
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Preparation method

Step-by-step images

Step 1

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

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

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

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the oil (or lard) and white 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 work surface and knead vigorously until it becomes soft and homogeneous in texture.

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

If needed, adjust the consistency by adding a few drops of water if the dough feels too stiff, or a light dusting of flour if it is sticking.

If needed, adjust the consistency by adding a few drops of water if the dough feels too stiff, or a light 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 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 chosen filling in the center of the dough and fold over, pressing down firmly on the edges to seal.

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

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

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

Drain the excess oil on paper towels and serve immediately.

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

Crispy Homemade Pastel Dough: An Easy Recipe (Massa de pastel : receita prática)

Crispy Homemade Pastel Dough: An Easy Recipe (Massa de pastel : receita prática)

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