Introduction

These air fryer jam and custard pastry pockets are a delightful treat combining flaky puff pastry with sweet jam and creamy custard. Quick to prepare and perfect for a snack or dessert, they bake to golden perfection in the air fryer for a light, crispy finish.

Air Fryer Jam and Custard Pastry Pockets Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

320g sheet ready-rolled puff pastry
6 tbsp jam of your choice (strawberry, raspberry, or apricot work well)
6 tbsp custard
1 egg, beaten
3 tbsp icing sugar
Drop of vanilla extract
1-2 tsp milk
Sprinkles or crushed freeze-dried berries, to decorate (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Unravel the puff pastry and cut it into 12 equal rectangles by dividing it into three rows and four columns.
Step 2: Spoon 1 tablespoon of jam and 1 tablespoon of custard into the center of six of the rectangles, leaving a 1cm border all around. Avoid overfilling to prevent leaking during cooking.
Step 3: Brush the exposed borders of the filled rectangles with a little beaten egg. Place the remaining six pastry rectangles on top, pressing the edges firmly together with your fingers, then crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
Step 4: Cut a small cross in the top of each pastry pocket to allow steam to escape. Chill the pockets in the fridge for at least 20 minutes to firm up. Note: These can be frozen for up to three months; if cooking from frozen, add 3 extra minutes to the cooking time.
Step 5: Preheat the air fryer to 180°C. Lightly brush the tops of the pockets with the remaining beaten egg.
Step 6: Cook the pockets in batches for 10 minutes until they are puffed and deep golden brown. If the pastry underneath feels soft, carefully turn the pockets over and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Step 7: Transfer the cooked pockets to a wire rack and let them cool for 10 minutes.
Step 8: Mix the icing sugar, vanilla extract, and milk in a small bowl to create a thick glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled pockets and sprinkle with sprinkles or crushed freeze-dried berries if desired.

Tips & Variations

For added flavor, try using different jams like blueberry or cherry to switch up the taste.
Ensure you don’t overfill the pockets to avoid filling leaking during cooking.
Use a fork to crimp the edges well; this helps seal the pastry and prevent bursting in the air fryer.
Serve warm for a melty custard experience or at room temperature for a firmer filling.

Storage

Store leftover pastry pockets in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They are best enjoyed the same day for optimal crispness. To reheat, warm gently in a preheated oven or air fryer until heated through and crisp again.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use homemade custard instead of store-bought?

Yes, homemade custard works wonderfully and can add extra creaminess and flavor to your pastry pockets.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You can bake these in a preheated oven at 200°C (180°C fan) for about 15–20 minutes or until golden and cooked through.

Air Fryer Jam and Custard Pastry Pockets Recipe

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Delightful air fryer jam and custard pastry pockets featuring flaky puff pastry filled with sweet jam and creamy custard, finished with a glossy vanilla icing and optional sprinkles or crushed freeze-dried berries for an extra burst of flavor. Quick to prepare and perfect for a tasty treat or dessert.

Author: Elias
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 12 pastry pockets 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: British

Ingredients

Scale

Pastry and Filling

320g sheet ready-rolled puff pastry
6 tbsp jam of your choice (strawberry, raspberry or apricot recommended)
6 tbsp custard
1 egg, beaten

Glaze and Decoration

3 tbsp icing sugar
drop of vanilla extract
1–2 tsp milk
sprinkles or crushed freeze-dried berries (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the pastry pockets: Unroll the puff pastry sheet and cut it into 12 equal rectangles by dividing it into three rows and four columns. Place 1 tablespoon of jam and 1 tablespoon of custard into the center of six of the rectangles, leaving about a 1cm border around the edges to prevent leakage during cooking.
Seal the pockets: Lightly brush the edges of these six jam and custard-filled rectangles with beaten egg. Place the remaining six pastry rectangles on top, aligning carefully. Press the edges firmly together using your fingers, then crimp the edges with a fork to seal tightly. Cut a small cross on the top of each pastry to allow steam to escape.
Chill the pockets: Place the pastry pockets in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes to firm up. This step helps maintain shape during cooking. Note that these can be frozen for up to three months; if cooking from frozen, add an extra 3 minutes to the cooking time.
Air fry the pastry: Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (356°F). Lightly brush the tops of the chilled pastry pockets with the remaining beaten egg. Place them in batches in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes or until they are puffed and a deep golden brown.
Check doneness and finish cooking: If the pastry bottoms remain soft after initial cooking, carefully turn the pastries over and air fry for an additional 5 minutes to ensure they are fully cooked and crisped through.
Cool the pastries: Remove the pastry pockets from the air fryer and allow them to cool for about 10 minutes on a wire rack before glazing.
Prepare and apply glaze: In a small bowl, combine the icing sugar, a drop of vanilla extract, and 1 to 2 teaspoons of milk to form a thick glaze. Drizzle this glaze generously over the cooled pastry pockets. Optionally, decorate with sprinkles or crushed freeze-dried berries for added texture and flavor.
Serve and store: These jam and custard pockets are best enjoyed the same day while fresh and flaky. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to two days.

Notes

Do not overfill the pastry pockets to avoid leakage during cooking.
Chilling the pockets before cooking helps them hold their shape and improves crispness.
Frozen uncooked pastry pockets can be cooked directly in the air fryer; just add 3 extra minutes to cooking time.
If the bottoms are soft after initial cooking, flipping the pockets improves even cooking.
Use any jam flavor you prefer; strawberry, raspberry, or apricot pair especially well with custard.
The glaze adds sweetness and a slight crunch, but can be omitted for a less sweet version.

Keywords: air fryer, jam pastry, custard pockets, puff pastry dessert, quick dessert, air fryer dessert, sweet pastry