Pop tarts are a beloved breakfast treat that has been around since the 1960s. With their sweet, fruity filling and flaky pastry, they are the perfect grab-and-go breakfast option for busy mornings.
However, traditional pop tarts are often made with animal-derived ingredients and artificial flavors, making them off-limits for those following a vegan diet.
Luckily, with a few simple substitutions, it’s easy to make delicious and healthy homemade vegan pop tarts. In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make pop tarts vegan that are just as tasty as the original store bought pop tarts but much healthier.
Let’s jump straight into and show you how to make these pop tarts vegan!
Ingredients
For the pastry:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup vegan butter (cold and cubed)
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 1 tbsp granulated brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the filling:
- 1 cup of strawberry preserves (if you’re looking to make strawberry pop tarts)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp water
For the glaze:
- 1/2 cup powdered brown sugar
- 1 tbsp plant-based milk
- 1 tsp of ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Vegan pop tarts recipe
Step 1
Start by making the pop tart pastry. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed vegan butter and use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
Step 2
Gradually add the cold water, stirring the mixture with a fork until the dough comes together in a ball.
Step 3
Divide the dough into two equal portions and flatten each portion into a disc. Wrap the discs in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Step 4
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 5
In a small bowl, whisk together the strawberry preserve, cornstarch, and water. This mixture will help thicken the filling and prevent it from leaking out of the pastry.
Step 6
Roll out each disc of dough on a floured surface into a rectangle about 1/8 inch thick. Use a sharp knife or pastry cutter to cut each rectangle into six even pieces.
Step 7
Spoon a tablespoon of the fruit filling onto one half of each pop tart pastry piece, leaving a small border around the edge.
Fold the other half of the pastry over the filling and use a fork to crimp the edges together. Repeat with the remaining pastry pieces and filling.
Step 8
Bake the vegan pop tarts for 18-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
Step 9
While the vegan pop tarts are baking, make the glaze. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar cinnamon, plant-based milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Step 10
Once the vegan pop tarts are finished baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes. Drizzle the glaze over the top of each pop tart and allow it to set before serving.
Vegan pop tarts filling options
Once you’ve mastered the strawberry pop tarts, you’ll want to explore other pop tart flavors. Here are my favorite 3 filling options:
Raspberry Chia Jam Filling: Mix fresh raspberries, chia seeds, maple syrup, and lemon juice in a saucepan and heat until the raspberries break down and the mixture thickens. Let it cool before adding it to the pop tarts.
Apple Cinnamon Filling: Cook chopped apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan until the apples are soft and the mixture thickens. Let it cool before using it as a filling for the vegan pop tarts.
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Filling: Mix brown sugar cinnamon, and vegan butter in a bowl until it forms a thick paste. Add a spoonful of the cinnamon sugar filling to each vegan pop tart and spread it evenly.
Expert Tips
Can I use a gluten-free flour for vegan pop tarts?
Yes, you can use gluten-free flour for this recipe. However, you may need to adjust the amount of water and butter used in the pastry dough as gluten-free flour tends to absorb more liquid.
Can I freeze these vegan pop tarts?
Yes, you can freeze these pop tarts for up to 2-3 months. Just make sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store them in an airtight container in the freezer. To reheat, just place the vegan pop tarts in the toaster or oven until heated through.
Can I use a different type of glaze?
Yes, you can use any type of glaze that you prefer to cover the vegan pop tarts. You can make a chocolate glaze by mixing melted vegan chocolate with a bit of plant-based milk or make a maple glaze by mixing powdered sugar, maple syrup, and plant-based milk. Be creative and experiment with different flavors!
How can I make high-protein vegan pop tarts?
You can add protein powder to the pastry dough and filling. Use all-purpose flour, vanilla protein powder, vegan butter, water, sugar, and salt for the pastry dough.
Equipment
Baking sheet to bake the vegan pop tarts
Small mixing bowl to mix all the ingredients together
