If you have ever thought about recreating a nostalgic breakfast favorite from scratch, you will absolutely love this Easy Homemade Pop Tarts with Pie Crust Recipe. It brings together the flaky, buttery goodness of pie crust with your favorite jam filling, creating pop tarts that are delightfully crisp on the outside and bursting with fruity sweetness inside. This recipe is not only incredibly simple, but it also transforms everyday ingredients into a fun, comforting treat that tastes way better than any store-bought version. Whether for a weekend brunch or just a special morning surprise, these homemade pop tarts will quickly become your new go-to indulgence.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple, high-quality ingredients is the key to making your Easy Homemade Pop Tarts with Pie Crust Recipe turn out perfectly every time. Each component plays an important role—from the flaky pie crust that provides the perfect handheld base, to the jam that infuses each bite with vibrant flavor, and the egg wash that delivers a golden finish.
- Rolled pie crust (1 package, 7.5 oz): This pre-made crust saves time while giving you that tender, flaky texture that pop tarts need.
- Jam or preserves (1 cup plus 2 tablespoons): Choose your favorite flavor to customize your filling with natural sweetness and texture.
- Large egg (1): Used for egg wash, it helps seal the edges and create a gorgeous golden color once baked.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): The base for the icing that adds a smooth, sweet glaze to finish your pop tarts beautifully.
- Milk or cream (2-3 tablespoons): Combined with powdered sugar to make a creamy, drizzle-ready icing.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 teaspoon): Adds warmth and depth to the icing flavor.
You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.
How to Make Easy Homemade Pop Tarts with Pie Crust Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F, ensuring it’s nice and hot for that perfect golden bake. Lay a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet to keep things from sticking later on and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cut Your Crust
Next, unroll your pie crust onto another sheet of parchment. Using roughly 3 by 5-inch rectangles as your guide—an index card works great for this—cut as many pieces as you can. Gather any scraps, re-roll them gently to about 1/4 inch thick, and cut out a few more rectangles. This step ensures you maximize your pie crust and get plenty of pop tarts from just one package.
Step 3: Assemble the Pop Tarts
Lightly beat your egg to create an egg wash that will seal your pop tarts and give them a shiny finish. Lay eight rectangles on your baking sheet. Spoon about 1 1/2 tablespoons of your chosen jam onto half of the rectangles, keeping close to the center to avoid overflow. Brush the edges with egg wash, then place the remaining rectangles on top. Press gently to seal, crimp the edges with a fork for a pretty touch, and poke a few holes in the top crust so steam can escape while baking. Finally, brush the tops with egg wash for that beautiful golden color.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Bake the pop tarts for 12 to 15 minutes until they are puffed and a gorgeous golden brown. The smell will start to fill your kitchen — a sure sign that something magical is happening inside the oven!
Step 5: Glaze and Decorate
Once cooled, whisk together powdered sugar, milk or cream, and vanilla extract to create a luscious icing. Spread this over each pop tart generously. If you want to take them to the next level, add sprinkles, crushed freeze-dried berries, or even edible rose petals for an elegant twist. Serve, savor, and enjoy!
How to Serve Easy Homemade Pop Tarts with Pie Crust Recipe
Garnishes
A simple pop tart is wonderful on its own, but a quick flourish of colorful sprinkles or crushed freeze-dried fruit can turn your breakfast into a festive event. The icing glaze provides a perfect surface for these toppings to stick and shine.
Side Dishes
Pair your homemade pop tarts with a side of fresh fruit or a dollop of whipped cream to balance sweetness with freshness. A hot cup of coffee or tea completes the cozy breakfast vibe you’ll love.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut your pop tarts into bite-sized squares for a brunch platter, or stack them on a tiered tray for a charming display at weekend get-togethers. You can even wrap a few individually for a grab-and-go breakfast that feels extra special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, keep your pop tarts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They taste best fresh but can still satisfy a sweet craving later on.
Freezing
You can freeze your assembled, unbaked pop tarts by placing them on a parchment-lined tray and freezing until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe container and bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time.
Reheating
To revive stored or frozen pop tarts, warm them in a toaster oven or a conventional oven at 350°F for 5 to 7 minutes until heated through and crisp again. Avoid microwaving to keep that flaky texture intact.
FAQs
Can I use homemade pie crust instead of store-bought?
Absolutely! Making your own pie crust can add an extra touch of freshness and flavor, just make sure it is chilled and rolled thin for the best results with this recipe.
What jams work best for these pop tarts?
Any jam or preserve you love will work perfectly, but thicker jams like raspberry, strawberry, or apricot tend to hold up best during baking without making the crust soggy.
Can I make these pop tarts vegan?
Yes! Use a vegan pie crust and substitute the egg wash with a little plant-based milk or melted coconut oil for a golden finish. You can also swap the icing ingredients for vegan-friendly alternatives.
How long do these pop tarts need to cool before icing?
Wait until they are completely cool to the touch, usually about 20 minutes after baking, to prevent the icing from melting off and becoming runny.
Can I freeze the baked pop tarts?
Definitely. Place cooled pop tarts in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to a month. Reheat as described before enjoying.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about making Easy Homemade Pop Tarts with Pie Crust Recipe from scratch—it’s simple, fun, and deeply satisfying. These pop tarts bring the taste of childhood breakfasts right into your kitchen, with the bonus of controlling every ingredient and flavor. Trust me, once you try these flaky, jam-filled treats, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought again. So go ahead and give this recipe a whirl; your taste buds will thank you!
PrintEasy Homemade Pop Tarts with Pie Crust Recipe
These Easy Homemade Pop Tarts with Pie Crust offer a delightful, flaky pastry filled with your choice of jam or preserves, topped with a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfectly golden and crisp, these homemade treats are simple to prepare and bake in under 35 minutes, making a charming breakfast or snack for all ages.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings (approximately 8 pop tarts)
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Pop Tarts:
- 1 package rolled pie crust (2 count, 7.5 oz pack)
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons jam or preserves (flavor of your choice)
- 1 large egg (for egg wash)
For the Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or cream
- 2 tablespoons jam
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Prepare a baking sheet by laying a sheet of parchment paper on it for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Pie Crust Rectangles: Lay a sheet of parchment paper on your workspace and unroll the pie crust onto another parchment sheet. Using a ruler or an index card as a size guide, cut as many rectangles approximately 3 inches by 5 inches as possible. Gather the leftover crust scraps, knead them together gently, and roll out to about 1/4 inch thickness to cut additional rectangles.
- Apply Jam and Seal: Beat the egg in a small bowl to create an egg wash. Place 8 of the cut rectangles on the prepared baking sheet. Spoon about 1 1/2 tablespoons of jam onto the center of each rectangle. Brush the edges lightly with egg wash, then place another rectangle on top. Press the edges together gently and crimp with a fork to seal the pop tart edges securely. Poke a few small holes in the top pastry of each pop tart to prevent puffing up. Finally, brush the entire top surface and edges with the egg wash for a golden finish.
- Bake the Pop Tarts: Bake them in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until the pop tarts turn a beautiful golden brown color.
- Prepare and Apply Icing: Once the pop tarts are cooled, whisk together powdered sugar, milk or cream, jam, and vanilla until smooth to make the icing. Spread this glaze over each pop tart. Optionally, top with sprinkles, crushed freeze-dried berries, edible rose petals, or enjoy as is.
- Storage: Store the pop tarts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to about 2 days, though they are best enjoyed fresh.
Notes
- You can customize the jam flavor to suit your preference, such as strawberry, raspberry, or apricot.
- The egg wash helps give the pop tarts a shiny, golden crust and also acts as a glue to seal edges.
- Do not overfill the pop tarts to avoid leaking during baking.
- If you don’t have freeze-dried berries, crushed rose petals make a beautiful and edible garnish alternative.
- Use parchment paper-lined baking sheets for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Allow pop tarts to cool completely before icing to prevent the glaze from melting off.