Puff pastry is a valuable ingredient for making cakes and other baked goods. Although it is possible to make it at home, the one available at the supermarket is just as good and can be stored in the freezer. If you have decided to cook a dish from scratch, it is likely that the puff pastry is still frozen. Once defrosted, make sure it is cold when you use it for cooking, in order to get a better result.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using the Microwave Oven
Step 1. Remove a sheet of puff pastry from the package
Use the microwave if you need to defrost it as quickly as possible. If you can fold it easily, then you don't need to put it in the oven or defrost it. At the time of use it should be cool to the touch. If it's at room temperature or warmer, put it back in the refrigerator and let it cool for a while.
Do not handle the puff pastry that has not completely thawed, otherwise this could cause it to tear
Step 2. Wrap the sheet of puff pastry with a paper towel
Take a clean, dry paper towel and spread the sheet of dough over it. Now, fold the napkin over the puff pastry sheet to cover it. If it isn't big enough, use a second or third napkin to cover the paper sufficiently.
Step 3. Place the sheet of dough in the microwave and thaw it on full power for 30 seconds
Place the puff pastry you lined with the napkin on a plate and put it in the microwave. Set it to maximum power and turn it on for 15 seconds. When the time runs out, flip the covered puff pastry and place it in the oven for another 15 seconds.
If the puff pastry does not fold easily when it comes out of the microwave, put it back in by calculating another five seconds per side and setting the oven to maximum. Continue defrosting it for five seconds on each side until you can easily fold it
Method 2 of 3: Thaw the Puff Pastry in the Refrigerator
Step 1. Remove the puff pastry sheets from the package
The refrigerator method is the slowest, but guarantees optimal defrosting. The fridge also keeps the puff pastry cold, so you can use it as soon as you remove it. Check that it actually needs to be defrosted by trying to fold it. If you can do this easily, then it shouldn't be defrosted. When it comes to cooking, it should feel cool to the touch.
If you can easily fold it but it feels warm to the touch, you should chill it in the fridge rather than defrosting it
Step 2. Divide the sheets and place them on separate plates
Place each sheet of pasta on a different plate. Do not stack two or more sheets to save space, otherwise this will hinder defrosting in the fridge.
Step 3. Cover each plate with a sheet of cling film
Open the roll of foil and spread it over each sheet of dough. Fold the excess over the sides of the plate and arrange them underneath. The underside of the plate will hold the foil tight while defrosting in the refrigerator.
Step 4. Put the puff pastry in the fridge for three to four hours
After covering each plate with cling film, you can put the puff pastry in the fridge to thaw it. Leave it for three hours and then check it to see if you can fold it easily.
- If you succeed, then it will be ready to use.
- If it still feels like it's frozen, leave it in the fridge for another hour.
- After four hours, check the puff pastry to see if you can fold it easily. At this point it should have thawed completely and will be ready to use.
Method 3 of 3: Thaw the Puff Pastry at Room Temperature
Step 1. Remove the puff pastry from the package
Defrosting at room temperature takes less effort, but can be a rather slow process. Watch the puff pastry to determine if it should be defrosted. If it is cold and you can easily fold it, then it will be ready for use. If it feels warm to the touch, put it in the fridge and let it cool.
Step 2. Place each sheet of pasta on a separate plate
Use a different plate for each sheet of pasta and arrange them all on the kitchen counter. Do not stack the sheets, otherwise they will not thaw evenly or correctly.
Step 3. Let the puff pastry thaw for 40 minutes
After 40 minutes, the sheets should have thawed completely, otherwise wait another 10 minutes before reviewing them and determining if the process has finished.
If after defrosting they reach room temperature, put them in the fridge for 10 minutes to allow them to cool down
Advice
- Cold puff pastry performs better in the kitchen. While you wait for it to defrost, also put the utensils required by the recipe in the fridge, so as to let them cool. This will improve the performance of the puff pastry at the time of use.
- Once the puff pastry has thawed, work quickly to prevent it from heating up and reaching room temperature.
