🥧 Easy Homemade Pop Tarts with Pie Crust
Flaky, buttery, sweet, and fun to make, homemade pop tarts are a classic American treat that you can customize in countless ways. Using store-bought pie crust makes this recipe incredibly easy, but the result tastes fresh, light, and indulgent. This recipe yields 8 pop tarts, enough for a family breakfast or a fun treat to share with friends.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Pop Tart Shells:
- 2 sheets of refrigerated pie crust (or homemade pie dough, about 250 g each)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
For the Filling:
- ½ cup fruit jam or preserves (strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, or any flavor you like)
- Optional: 1 teaspoon lemon zest or vanilla extract to enhance flavor
For the Icing (Optional but recommended):
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon milk (or more for desired consistency)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Sprinkles for decoration (optional)
⏱️ Time
- Preparation: 20 minutes
- Baking: 20–25 minutes
- Cooling and icing: 10 minutes
➡️ Total: approximately 50–55 minutes
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
2. Prepare the Pie Crust
If you are using refrigerated pie crust, allow it to sit for 5–10 minutes at room temperature so it’s pliable but still cold. Cold dough helps create flaky layers.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out each sheet to approximately ¼ inch thick. You want the dough thin enough to bake evenly but thick enough to hold the filling.
3. Cut the Dough
Using a sharp knife or a pastry cutter, cut the dough into rectangles approximately 3×4 inches. You should get 8 rectangles from two sheets. These will form the top and bottom of each pop tart.
4. Assemble the Pop Tarts – Step 1: Egg Wash
In a small bowl, whisk the egg with 1 tablespoon of water. This will be used as an egg wash, giving the pop tarts a golden, shiny finish and helping the tops stick to the bottoms.
5. Add the Filling
Place 4 of the rectangles on the prepared baking sheet. Using a small spoon, carefully spread about 1–2 teaspoons of jam in the center of each rectangle. Leave ¼ inch of space around the edges to prevent the filling from leaking out.
💡 Tip: Avoid overfilling – too much jam can overflow during baking.
6. Seal the Pop Tarts
Take the remaining 4 rectangles and place them over the jam-covered bottoms. Using a fork, gently press around the edges to seal. Make sure the edges are tight to keep the filling inside.
Brush the tops with a little egg wash. This will create a golden brown color when baked.
7. Optional: Add Vent Holes
To prevent the pop tarts from puffing up too much or bursting, use a fork to poke 2–3 small holes in the center of each tart. This allows steam to escape and keeps the shape neat.
8. Bake the Pop Tarts
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and flaky.
Remove from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before icing.
💡 Tip: Pop tarts can be served slightly warm or completely cooled. Warm ones are soft, cooled ones are easier to handle.
9. Prepare the Icing
While the pop tarts are cooling, prepare a simple glaze. In a small bowl, combine:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon milk (add more if needed for consistency)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Whisk until smooth. The icing should be thick enough to coat the pop tarts but thin enough to drizzle.
10. Ice the Pop Tarts
Once the pop tarts are completely cooled, use a spoon or a small piping bag to drizzle icing over the top. Add sprinkles or crushed nuts if desired. Let the icing set for 10–15 minutes before serving.
💡 Tip: For fun, you can create stripes or zig-zag patterns with the icing.
✨ Tips for Perfect Homemade Pop Tarts
- Keep everything cold – Cold dough = flakier pop tarts.
- Do not overfill – Too much jam causes leaks and soggy edges.
- Seal well – Press edges firmly with a fork.
- Customize fillings – Nutella, peanut butter, chocolate chips, or even cream cheese work great.
- Experiment with shapes – Hearts, squares, or circles for a fun twist.
- Icing variations – Add cocoa powder for chocolate glaze, lemon juice for tangy glaze, or use colored sprinkles for holidays.
🔄 Flavor Variations
🍓 Strawberry Cream Cheese Pop Tarts
- Spread 1 teaspoon of cream cheese under the strawberry jam for extra creaminess.
🍫 Chocolate Hazelnut Pop Tarts
- Replace the jam with Nutella and add a few chocolate chips for a decadent treat.
🥭 Tropical Pop Tarts
- Use mango or pineapple preserves and top with shredded coconut for a tropical flair.
🍏 Apple Cinnamon Pop Tarts
- Use a mix of finely chopped apple, cinnamon, and brown sugar instead of jam for a warm, autumn-inspired flavor.
🧊 Storage Tips
- Store cooled pop tarts in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days.
- They can also be frozen after baking, before icing, for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven for 5–7 minutes at 350°F (175°C) before serving.
- Iced pop tarts are best eaten the same day, but icing can be stored separately in a small container.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Warm with a cup of milk or hot chocolate for breakfast.
- Serve as a dessert with vanilla ice cream.
- Pack individually for lunchboxes or snacks.
- Perfect for a kids’ party – fun to make and decorate together.
🧁 Why This Recipe Works
- Pie crust: Using pre-made pie crust ensures buttery, flaky layers without the need to make dough from scratch.
- Egg wash: Creates a golden, glossy finish that looks as good as it tastes.
- Controlled filling: The jam stays inside without making the pastry soggy.
- Customizable glaze: Sweetens the top and allows fun decoration.
🌟 Extra Tips for a Flawless Bake
- Let the pie dough come to room temperature slightly before rolling; too cold and it cracks, too warm and it gets sticky.
- Rotate the baking sheet halfway for even baking.
- Use high-quality jam – the flavor shines through in every bite.
- Try mini pop tarts for portion control or fun kids’ sizes.
🎉 Fun Ideas
- Make seasonal pop tarts with pumpkin puree, cranberry jam, or peach preserves.
- Add a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top before baking for a warm flavor.
- For holiday-themed pop tarts, use colored icing and edible glitter for a festive touch.
✅ Summary
These Easy Homemade Pop Tarts with Pie Crust are:
- Flaky and buttery
- Sweet but balanced
- Fun to make with kids or family
- Fully customizable for flavors, shapes, and decoration
With simple ingredients and a few easy steps, you can enjoy fresh, warm, homemade pop tarts any time of the year, without relying on store-bought processed pastries.