The ricotta and pear puff pastries are delicious sweet treats made with puff pastry that can be prepared quickly with just a few ingredients. After the apple puff pastries, which were a big hit, I wanted to try these pear ones. I really enjoy the delicate pairing of pears with ricotta, so much so that I’ve prepared both a ricotta and pear tart and a no-bake ricotta and pear cake.
The ricotta and pear puff pastries are truly delightful: they have a crispy and caramelized puff pastry crust on the outside, while the inside contains a creamy and delicious filling. They are perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even as a single-serving dessert for the end of a meal.
You can also customize the pastries with other variations: for example, instead of ricotta, you can use a thick custard, you can add chocolate chips or nuts. The result will always be very tasty!
They are really easy to make: you’ll need just a few ingredients and in a matter of minutes, they will be ready to bake! If you like desserts with puff pastry, also try my puff pastry rose cake with ricotta and chocolate chips and the Apulian sporcamuss.
Now let’s move on to the recipe and see together how to prepare these delicious ricotta and pear puff pastries. Meanwhile, here are some links you might find interesting!
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 6Pieces
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Autumn, Winter, and Spring
- Energy 261.68 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 27.16 (g) of which sugars 9.82 (g)
- Proteins 5.99 (g)
- Fat 14.91 (g) of which saturated 8.21 (g)of which unsaturated 1.86 (g)
- Fibers 0.82 (g)
- Sodium 153.04 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 95 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for Ricotta and Pear Puff Pastries
- 1 sheet of puff pastry (rectangular)
- to taste milk (dairy or plant-based)
- to taste brown sugar
- 5.3 oz ricotta (cow, sheep, or lactose-free)
- 2 pears
- 4 tbsp sugar (level)
- to taste ground cinnamon
- 0.7 oz butter (or margarine)
Tools for Preparing Ricotta and Pear Puff Pastries
- Pan
- Knife
- Baking Tray
Steps for Preparing Ricotta and Pear Puff Pastries
Let’s see together how to prepare these delicious ricotta and pear puff pastries.
Start by preparing the filling. Keep the puff pastry in the refrigerator until ready to use.
In a bowl, mix the ricotta with 2 tablespoons of sugar.
Work with a fork until you get a cream. Set aside.
Cut 2 pears into small pieces and place them in a pan.
Add 2 tablespoons of sugar and 0.4-0.7 oz of butter cut into pieces.
Turn on the heat to high and cook the pears with the sugar for a few minutes.
Add a pinch of cinnamon if desired and allow the liquid to evaporate from the bottom of the pan. Let it cool.
Take the puff pastry sheet from the fridge and unroll it onto a work surface.
With a knife, divide the puff pastry into 6 more or less equal parts.
Spread a bit of ricotta on one side of each square.
Place a spoonful of pears on the ricotta.
Fold the other side of the puff pastry over the filling, creating a pocket. Seal the edges well, then roll them over themselves creating a small ridge.
Use the prongs of a fork to press along the edges of the ricotta and pear pockets to close them better.
Use the tip of a knife to make 3-4 slits on the surface.
Brush the surface of the pastries with a bit of milk and then sprinkle them with some granulated or brown sugar.
Place them on a baking tray and put them in the fridge for 30 minutes. After this time, bake in a preheated convection oven at 356°F for 20 minutes. Adjust the baking time according to your oven. When the pastries are golden and slightly caramelized on the outside, they are ready. Take them out of the oven and enjoy them warm or cold.
Storage, Variations, and Tips
– The pastries are best enjoyed when freshly made. Over time, the puff pastry tends to soften. To make it crispy again, you can heat it in an air fryer for 5 minutes at 248°F or in the oven at 284°F for 7-8 minutes. It will seem freshly made.
– Since ricotta is present, the pastries should not be stored for a long time: consume within 24-48 hours at most.
– You can flavor the pears and/or ricotta with cinnamon or orange or lemon zest.
– You can also create a variation with apples, strawberries, blueberries, or nectarines.
– To make them more indulgent, you can also add chocolate chips to the filling or crumbled nuts.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Can I use whole wheat or gluten-free puff pastry?
Yes, of course, ricotta and pear puff pastries can also be made with whole wheat or gluten-free puff pastry.
What type of pears is best to use?
It’s best to use pears with firm and ripe flesh, like Williams or Kaiser. However, use the pears you have available. The important thing is that there isn’t too much liquid at the bottom of the pan after sautéing them. The filling should be quite dry so as not to soak the puff pastry too much.
Should the pears be used cold?
Absolutely yes. Heat is the enemy of puff pastry. Therefore, it is important to let the pears cool well before using them in the filling.
Why do ricotta and pear pastries go in the fridge before being baked?
Because it’s important for the puff pastry to be very cold when it goes into the oven. The thermal shock makes the pastries crispy and well-layered.
Can they be prepared in advance?
Yes, they can be prepared a few hours in advance. Assemble them, place them on a baking sheet, and keep them in the refrigerator. Bake them just before serving.
Can ricotta and pear pastries be cooked in an air fryer?
Yes: preheat the air fryer to 356°F, arrange them in the basket without overlapping, and then cook them for about 10-12 minutes, turning them halfway through. Cooking times also depend on the model and size of the air fryer. Always check the browning: when the puff pastry is golden and caramelized, the pastries are ready.
