I’ve developed these innovative breakfast pastries that combine the light flakiness of puff pastry with nutritious quinoa and fresh apples, creating a protein-rich morning treat that’s both satisfying and energizing.
The Story Behind This Recipe
Inspired by both traditional baklava and modern superfood trends, I created these pastries to transform the typical morning pastry into a more nutritious option. The combination of protein-rich quinoa, fresh apples, and nuts provides sustained energy throughout the morning.
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 2 medium Honeycrisp apples (400g/14oz), diced into 1/4-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup cooked quinoa (85g), cooled
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds (30g), plus extra for garnish
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (30ml)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (2.5g)
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (1g)
For the Pastry:
- 1 sheet puff pastry (275g/9.7oz), thawed
- 1 large egg for egg wash
For the Glaze:
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (30ml)
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (0.5g)
- Pinch of sea salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Filling
- Cook quinoa according to package instructions, cool completely
- Dice apples into uniform small cubes
- Toast almonds in dry skillet until fragrant
- Combine quinoa, apples, almonds, maple syrup, and cinnamon
- Let mixture rest for 15 minutes to meld flavors
- Prepare the Pastry
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C)
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper
- Roll puff pastry into 12×16-inch (30x40cm) rectangle
- Cut into 12 equal rectangles
- Assembly
- Place filling on one half of each rectangle
- Leave 1/2-inch border for sealing
- Brush edges with egg wash
- Fold pastry over filling and seal edges
- Transfer to prepared baking sheet
- Brush tops with egg wash
- Sprinkle with additional quinoa and almonds
- Baking
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown
- Rotate pan halfway through baking
- Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes
- Glazing
- Combine maple syrup and cinnamon
- Brush over warm pastries
- Sprinkle with remaining quinoa and almonds
Expert Tips
- Cook quinoa in advance to save time
- Choose firm apples that hold their shape
- Don’t overfill pastries to prevent leakage
- Score pastry tops for decorative effect
- Allow to cool slightly before glazing
Storage Instructions
- Store in airtight container at room temperature: 2 days
- Refrigerate: up to 4 days
- Reheat in 350°F (175°C) oven for 5 minutes to re-crisp
Nutrition Information
Per serving (1 pastry):
- Calories: 245
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 31g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Natural Sugars: 8g
- Added Sugars: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Serving Size: 1 pastry (approximately 3×4 inches/7.5x10cm)
- Servings Per Recipe: 12
These Apple-Quinoa Energy Pastries offer a perfect balance of indulgence and nutrition. The combination of quinoa’s complete protein, the natural sweetness of apples, and the crunch of toasted almonds creates a satisfying breakfast or snack option. The maple-cinnamon glaze adds just enough sweetness while letting the natural flavors shine through.
The addition of quinoa not only boosts the protein content but also adds an interesting texture contrast to the flaky pastry. These pastries are perfect for meal prep and can be easily reheated for a quick, nutritious breakfast on busy mornings.
