Pastelitos
Argentine fried pastries, traditionally enjoyed during national holidays. These sweet pastries are filled with either quince paste (dulce de membrillo) or sweet potato paste (dulce de batata), folded into decorative shapes, and fried until golden and crisp.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Puff pastry(Store-bought or homemade. Ensure it's thawed if frozen.)
- 200 g Quince paste (Dulce de Membrillo)(Cut into small cubes or softened slightly for easier handling.)
- 200 g Sweet potato paste (Dulce de Batata)(Cut into small cubes or softened slightly for easier handling.)
- approx. 1 liter ml Vegetable oil or other neutral oil for frying(Enough to reach a depth of about 5-7 cm (2-3 inches) in your frying pot.)
- for sprinkling Granulated sugar(Optional, for dusting after frying.)
- for sealing Water(A small bowl of water to help seal the pastry edges.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the pastry: Lightly flour your work surface. Unfold or roll out the puff pastry sheets to a thickness of about 3-4 mm (approx. 1/8 inch). Using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter, trim the edges to create neat rectangles. Cut each sheet into 8 equal squares, resulting in 16 squares in total. Aim for squares of approximately 10x10 cm (4x4 inches).
⏱️ 15 minutes - 2
Add the fillings: Place about 1 tablespoon of quince paste or sweet potato paste in the center of half of the pastry squares. Leave a 1 cm (1/2 inch) border clear around the edges.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 3
Form the pastelitos: Lightly brush the edges of the filled pastry squares with water. Take the remaining pastry squares and place one on top of each filled square, aligning the edges. Gently press down around the filling to remove any air pockets. Then, fold each square in half diagonally to form a triangle, pressing the edges firmly to seal. Alternatively, you can create a square shape by folding the corners to the center. Ensure the edges are well-sealed to prevent the filling from escaping during frying.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Seal and crimp: Use a fork to press down along the sealed edges of each pastelito, creating a decorative crimped pattern and further ensuring a tight seal. Prick the top of each pastelito once or twice with a fork to allow steam to escape during frying, preventing them from bursting.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Heat the oil: Pour the oil into a deep, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, ensuring it's at least 5-7 cm (2-3 inches) deep. Heat the oil over medium-high heat to 180°C (350°F). Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature. If you don't have a thermometer, test the oil by dropping a small piece of pastry; it should sizzle immediately and float to the surface.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 6
Fry the pastelitos: Carefully place 3-4 pastelitos into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 2-4 minutes per side, or until they are deeply golden brown, puffed up, and crisp. Use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to gently turn them, ensuring even cooking. Remove the fried pastelitos from the oil and place them on a wire rack set over paper towels to drain any excess oil.
⏱️ 10-15 minutes - 7
Serve: While still warm, you can optionally sprinkle the pastelitos with granulated sugar. Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful contrast of crisp pastry and sweet filling.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Traditionally, pastelitos are made with both quince and sweet potato fillings, representing a duality often seen in Argentine culture.
- ✓Serve these warm pastelitos with a cup of hot 'mate' (a traditional South American caffeine-rich infused drink) for an authentic experience.
- ✓Ensure the oil temperature is consistent. If it's too low, the pastries will absorb too much oil; if it's too high, they will burn before cooking through.
🔄 Variations
- Baked version: For a lighter option, brush the sealed pastelitos with an egg wash and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Different fillings: Experiment with other sweet fillings like dulce de leche, apple compote, or even a savory cheese filling for a unique twist.