If you have a sweet tooth and love treats that feel both indulgent and comforting, this Nutella Pastry Bites Recipe will quickly become one of your favorite go-to desserts. Imagine delicate, buttery pastry pockets with a rich, creamy Nutella center that melts in your mouth, perfectly balanced with a light dusting of powdered sugar on top. This recipe turns simple ingredients into irresistible little bites that are perfect for sharing or sneaking a few just for yourself. The best part is how equally easy and fun it is to make, making these Nutella Pastry Bites a delightful addition to any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is key to achieving the perfect balance of flaky pastry and luscious filling. Each component is simple yet essential, contributing to the taste, texture, and appearance of these delightful bites.
- Salted butter (1 cup, cold and cubed): Provides a rich flavor and creates the flaky layers in the pastry.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): The base that gives structure to the pastry dough.
- Granulated sugar (6 1/2 tablespoons): Adds subtle sweetness that complements the Nutella.
- Salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Large egg yolk (1): Adds richness and helps bind the dough together.
- Large eggs (2 total): One for the dough and one for the egg wash, giving the pastry a golden finish.
- Nutella (1 cup): The star of the filling, offering that signature hazelnut-chocolate creaminess.
- Powdered sugar (1-2 tablespoons): For a delicate dusting that adds a pretty finishing touch.
- Water or milk (1-2 tablespoons): Mixed with egg for the glaze that makes the pastries shine.
How to Make Nutella Pastry Bites Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Pastry Dough
Begin by pulsing together the flour, sugar, salt, cold butter cubes, egg yolk, and one whole egg in a food processor. Keep pulsing just until the dough starts to come together—overworking here will make the pastry tough. Once it clumps, gently knead it a bit on a lightly floured surface to create a smooth ball. This approach ensures a tender, flaky texture that’s the hallmark of perfect pastry.
Step 2: Chill the Dough
Wrap your dough ball tightly in plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge for about 30 minutes. This chilling step is crucial because it firms up the butter and relaxes the gluten, making the dough easier to roll out and helping it hold its shape beautifully during baking.
Step 3: Freeze the Nutella Filling
While the dough is chilling, scoop teaspoon-sized dollops of Nutella onto a parchment-lined tray and freeze them until they’re firm, about 20 to 30 minutes. Freezing the Nutella ensures that it doesn’t melt out too quickly during baking, so each bite retains a luscious, gooey center.
Step 4: Roll Out the Dough
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness. The thin dough creates a delicate shell that crisps up nicely, giving just the right amount of crunch in every bite.
Step 5: Assemble the Nutella Pastry Bites Recipe
Cut circles from the rolled dough using a 3 1/2-inch round cutter or a glass. Place a frozen Nutella scoop onto one dough circle, then top it with another circle that you’ve cut small slits into to vent steam. Press the edges gently with a fork to seal them securely so all that creamy goodness stays inside while baking.
Step 6: Apply Egg Wash and Bake
Whisk together one egg with water or milk to make an egg wash, then brush it lightly over each pastry’s surface. This step gives the bites a gorgeous golden and glossy finish once baked. Pop your pastries into the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until puffed up and golden brown. The smell alone will have you ready to dig in!
Step 7: Cool and Dust
Let your Nutella Pastry Bites cool just enough to handle, then dust them with powdered sugar for a sweet, elegant look. These bites are perfect served warm, when the Nutella is molten and irresistible, but they’re equally tasty at room temperature.
How to Serve Nutella Pastry Bites Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra special touch, consider sprinkling finely chopped toasted hazelnuts or a pinch of cocoa powder alongside the powdered sugar dusting. Fresh berries can add a pop of color and brightness that contrasts beautifully with the richness of the Nutella.
Side Dishes
Pair these Nutella Pastry Bites with a cup of rich espresso or a creamy latte for a dreamy afternoon retreat. They also go wonderfully with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream if you’re serving them as a dessert with a wow factor.
Creative Ways to Present
Present these treats on a rustic wooden board or an elegant serving platter, maybe lined with parchment paper for a cozy vibe. For parties, arrange them in tiered trays to make them look extra festive and inviting. You can even serve them alongside small bowls of fresh fruit or nuts to encourage mixing and matching flavors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers—which might be hard to believe—they keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This way, the pastry stays crisp and the Nutella remains deliciously creamy.
Freezing
Nutella Pastry Bites freeze beautifully, making them ideal for preparing in advance. After they have cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag or container. They’ll keep for up to a month and can be thawed overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
To bring the Nutella Pastry Bites back to their freshly-baked glory, reheat them in a preheated oven at 325°F (165°C) for about 5 to 8 minutes. This gently warms the Nutella filling and crisps the pastry without drying it out, making every bite taste like it was just made.
FAQs
Can I use a different chocolate spread instead of Nutella?
Absolutely! While Nutella is classic for this recipe, any hazelnut or chocolate spread you love can work well. Just keep in mind that spreads with added flavors or textures might slightly change the final taste or consistency.
Do I need a food processor to make the dough?
A food processor makes mixing quick and easy, but you can also cut the butter into the flour with a pastry cutter or two forks and then stir in the eggs by hand. The important part is to keep the butter cold and avoid overworking the dough for the best results.
Can I make these bite-sized pastries vegan or dairy-free?
To make vegan or dairy-free Nutella Pastry Bites, substitute the butter with a plant-based margarine or coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular eggs, and find a dairy-free Nutella alternative. The texture might differ slightly, but they can still be delicious!
How long can I refrigerate the dough before baking?
The dough is best used within 1 to 2 days to ensure freshness and optimal texture. Just keep it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container to prevent drying out.
What if my Nutella melts too much during baking?
Freezing the Nutella scoops before assembling helps prevent them from melting too fast. Also, avoid overfilling the pastry pockets, and be sure to seal the edges properly so the filling stays inside during baking.
Final Thoughts
Whipping up these Nutella Pastry Bites Recipe moments will not only satisfy your chocolate cravings but also fill your kitchen with the warmth and joy of homemade treats. They’re straightforward enough for a casual baking day yet fancy enough to impress your friends and family. I can’t encourage you enough to give them a try — the combination of flaky pastry and irresistible Nutella is pure magic on a plate. Happy baking!
Print
Nutella Pastry Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: European
Description
These Nutella Pastry Bites are delightful, flaky puff pastries filled with creamy Nutella, perfect for a sweet snack or dessert. Made with a buttery homemade pastry dough and filled with frozen Nutella scoops, they bake up golden and crisp with an irresistible melt-in-your-mouth texture. Finished with a dusting of powdered sugar, these bite-sized pastries are sure to satisfy chocolate and hazelnut lovers of all ages.
Ingredients
For the Pastry Dough:
- 1 cup salted butter, cold and cubed
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 6 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 large egg
For the Filling & Finishing:
- 1 cup Nutella (hazelnut cream)
- 1–2 tablespoons powdered sugar (for dusting)
For the Egg Wash:
- 1 large egg
- 1–2 tablespoons water or milk
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a food processor, pulse together the flour, sugar, and salt with the cold butter, egg yolk, and egg. Continue pulsing until the mixture just comes together and forms a dough.
- Knead the dough: Gently knead the dough on a lightly floured surface to bring it into a smooth ball. Be careful not to overwork the dough to maintain tenderness.
- Refrigerate the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This firms up the dough, making it easier to roll out.
- Prepare Nutella filling: While chilling the dough, scoop small amounts of Nutella (about 1 teaspoon each) onto a parchment-lined tray and freeze for 20-30 minutes until firm. This prevents the filling from melting too quickly during baking.
- Preheat and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the dough: Remove dough from the fridge and roll it out on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness.
- Cut dough circles: Use a 3 1/2-inch round cutter or glass to cut circles from the dough, ready to be filled.
- Fill with Nutella: Place one frozen Nutella scoop in the center of each dough circle.
- Top and seal pastries: Take another dough circle, make small slits in it to allow steam to escape, then place it over the Nutella-filled circle. Press the edges together gently with a fork to seal.
- Brush with egg wash: In a small bowl, whisk egg with water or milk to make an egg wash. Brush the tops of the pastries for a golden, glossy finish.
- Bake: Bake the pastries in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until golden and puffed.
- Cool and finish: Allow the Nutella pastry bites to cool slightly, then dust with powdered sugar if desired.
- Serve: Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy these irresistible treats.
Notes
- Freezing the Nutella scoops prevents the filling from melting and leaking out during baking.
- Do not overwork the dough to maintain its flaky texture.
- You can substitute water with milk in the egg wash for a richer browning effect.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- These pastry bites are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven or within a day for optimal texture.
