Pastries are definitely one of my favorite breakfast and/or snack options, but they’re not always such a healthy choice. Most pastries are made with a whole bunch of butter, unrefined sugar, and other not-so-good-for-you ingredients. That doesn’t mean you should never have a croissant, it just means you should be cautious when deciding which pastries to eat. Making pastries at home is always your best bet because you can control exactly what goes into them. In honor of National Pastry Day, we’re serving up ten delicious pastry recipes. Each recipe is a healthier alternative to traditional pastries, and while they may not be as healthy as a bowl of oatmeal, indulging sometimes isn’t such a bad thing. Check out our top ten favorite healthier pastry recipes:
Meyer Lemon Pastry via Martha Stewart
This easy to make tart is perfect for any luncheon or family gathering. It can be served as dessert and is much healthier than many other pastry options. The lemons make this treat tart and refreshing and the pastry crust makes it light and airy. Everyone will love this delicious pastry!
Puff Pastry Spinach Cups via A Matter Of Taste
Perfect for any dinner party, these individual sized puff pastry spinach cups make a great appetizer. They are creamy and flaky and one or two is all you really need. This is a great alternative to spinach dip and tortilla chips. The pastry texture goes great with the spinach (and you’re getting a healthy dose of veggies).
Chocolate Almond Pastry via Nutmeg Nanny
This pastry looks sweet, gooey, and delicious. Cut this pastry up into small pieces and share with your friends. This pastry is perfect for dessert, but you only need a little to be satisfied. You could make this decadent treat a little healthier by using whole wheat puff pastry or by using dark chocolate.
Spelt Flour Rugelach via Healthy Green Kitchen
Rugelach is one of my favorite kinds of pastries. I love chocolate rugelach (possibly more than chocolate chip cookies). This recipe uses spelt flour Greek yogurt, and organic butter to keep these treats on the healthier side. You can fill these rugelach with jam (like the recipe suggests) or fill them with your favorite topping such as natural peanut butter or dark chocolate chips.
Fruity Crispy Roll via Sweet N Bake
When you’re craving something sweet and crunchy, give this delicious and unique snack a try. These fruity crispy rolls are made with fruit and Shanghai wrappers making this snack light, flaky, and sweet.
Healthy Croissants via Natural Sweet Recipes
Croissants are so buttery and flaky, sometimes you just feel like you need to eat one or the Earth will end (or am I the only one who gets that feeling?). These homemade croissants are made with simple, wholesome ingredients like almond milk and honey. You could try using whole wheat flour if that’s your thing.
Pumpkin and Parmesan Rugelach via Dourmet
This savory rugelach recipe makes a great appetizer or quick, filling snack. Made with pumpkin puree, walnuts, parmesan cheese, and cream cheese, these rugelach are the perfect combination of melt-in-your-mouth flavors. You could use low-fat cream cheese and organic butter to make these bad boys a little bit healthier.
Grand Marnier Apple Raisin Cake via Cooking Melangery
This cake looks so incredible it’s hard to fathom it being healthy. However, this recipe uses wholesome ingredients like spelt flour, unsalted butter, dried currants, and apples to make this cake naturally sweet and delicious.
Gluten-Free Pop Tarts via Non GMO Journal
These pop tarts are homemade and totally gluten-free. Much healthier than the store brand, these homemade pastries are light, fluffy, and made with natural ingredients. This recipe uses organic butter, organic strawberry jam, and gluten-free organic pancake mix to create the perfect kid-friendly breakfast!
Pineapple Tart via Recipe.com
This easy to make pineapple tart is great for dessert or a healthy afternoon snack. Made with fresh pineapple, raspberries, and macadamia nuts, this pastry is sweet and good for you! Try using other fresh fruit such as mango or strawberry slices for unlimited healthy pastry toppings everyone will love.
Growing up in St. Louis, my favorite pastry was at the St. Louis Bread Company-which to the rest of the country is known as Panera, but it started as the Bread Company-and the pastry was the Gooey Butter Danish. It was a round Danish with a gooey butter cake center. So good. I didn’t know until I left St. Louis that the gooey butter cake was a regional specialty.
Those croissants looks amazing…but a pound of butter?!?! I could not justify buying that. I’ve been dying to find a healthy croissant recipe ever since I got back from Italy. If anyone out there find one made WITHOUT butter, please let me know!