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Sourdough Pop-Tarts: Flaky Hand Pies From Discard

Buttery, flaky pastry from discard, filled with jam and topped with glaze. Way better than the boxed kind.

Diana Khoury2 min read

Sourdough pop-tarts are homemade hand pies with a flaky, discard-enriched pastry, a fruit or chocolate filling, and a simple glaze — far better than the boxed version. The discard adds tenderness and a subtle tang to the buttery crust.

Pastry

  • 250g all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 150g cold butter, cubed
  • 120g sourdough discard (cold)
  • Ice water as needed

Filling and glaze

  • ~150g jam, Nutella, or cinnamon-brown-sugar paste
  • 1 egg (for sealing/wash)
  • Glaze: powdered sugar + milk + vanilla

Method

  1. Cut cold butter into flour, sugar, and salt until crumbly.
  2. Mix in cold discard and just enough ice water to form a dough. Chill 30 minutes.
  3. Roll thin; cut into rectangles.
  4. Spoon filling onto half the rectangles, leaving a border. Brush borders with egg.
  5. Top with another rectangle; seal with a fork. Cut a small vent.
  6. Brush with egg wash. Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes until golden.
  7. Cool, then glaze and add sprinkles.

Filling ideas

FillingNotes
Strawberry jamThe classic
Cinnamon brown sugarMix with a little flour to thicken
NutellaChill before filling
Apple butterSpiced and cozy

Tips

  • Keep the dough cold for flaky layers — chill before and after rolling.
  • Don't overfill; filling leaks if it reaches the edges.
  • Seal well with a fork to prevent blowouts.

Frequently asked questions

Can I freeze them?

Yes — freeze assembled, unbaked pop-tarts and bake from frozen, adding a few minutes.

Why did mine leak?

Overfilled or poorly sealed. Use less filling and crimp firmly.

Can I make them savory?

Absolutely — fill with cheese and ham, skip the glaze.

Pop-tarts are a fun way to use discard pastry. SourdoughAI tracks your discard so you've always got enough for projects like this.