Easy Baked Vegan Potato Puffs
Today we are making Easy Baked Vegan Potato Puffs! In the world of this (often main ingredient) starchy vegetable, there are so many dishes to choose from (all the power to potato lovers)! Do you go with a classic recipe for mashed potatoes, creamy potato soup, potatoes au gratin, french fries (one of the best ways to eat potatoes!), fried potato skins, potato chips, smashed crispy potatoes, potato curry, potato casseroles, perhaps a vegan shepherd’s pie or something else?! Well, this recipe has got you covered under the umbrella of something else … how about a crispy, crunchy, spiced easy vegan potato recipe?
These delicious potato puffs are stuffed with a potato filling and are a healthier alternative to traditional fried snacks, without compromising on flavor and texture. They are crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, making an addictive contrast in textures!
You can fill these puffs with any type of seasoning you wish – Greek-style, Indian-style, Italian-style – the mixed herb seasoning boxes you can buy at the grocery store provide lots of different flavors to add in!
So with just a handful of simple ingredients and easy steps, you’ll have a batch of mouthwatering potato puffs ready to enjoy. Whether you’re hosting a gathering, craving a tasty snack, or looking for a delightful appetizer that takes little time, these easy baked vegan potato puffs are sure to impress all your guests!
How Puff Pastries Came To Be
So in my spare time, I’ve cleaned out cupboard after drawer after closet. The nice thing is that I also discovered many long lost items. Hello to my missing sock, those old photo albums, and Mr. Freezie pops in the bottom of the freezer … I also found a box of puff pastries in there! Puff pastry dough just needs to be rolled out and stuff with a mixture of whatever you can find. Trust me, pretty much any filling will make this taste good. So I immediately jumped at the chance of making potato puffs with them!
I used a combination of spices, tofu, spinach, onions and potatoes. Then you just fold up the corners of each square (see the picture below) and bake it! I also tried cinnamon sugar buttered pastries, and they turned out so good as well.
Overall, you can stuff these with spiced potato filling, or for a different twist, add a cinnamon sugar mixture to it (since we use vegan butter to brush on top of the pastries, cinnamon sugar would complement this perfectly). Savory or sweet, puff pastries are great to use as an easy base for dessert, appetizer or other recipes!
Why You’ll Love These Easy Baked Vegan Potato Puffs
Versatility: Potato puffs can be enjoyed as a standalone snack, an appetizer, or even as a part of a main course. They pair well with various dips, sauces, or vegan toppings.
Easy to Make: As the name suggests, these potato puffs are easy to make. They require easy to find ingredients for the filling and use basic cooking techniques. The best part is that since the puff pastry comes pre-made, the majority of the heavy work is done – no making a homemade dough! This is a great option for both novice and experienced cooks.
Kid-Friendly: Kids often love the crispy texture and familiar taste of potato puffs. They can be an excellent way to introduce children to vegan and healthier alternatives.
Party Appetizer: These make a great appetizer and finger food for parties. They’re easier to pick up and snack on, and potato snacks are always a snack favorite (and filling too). Maybe make a double batch for this one!
Substitutions
Puff Pastry: Traditionally, puff pastry contains butter. Here are a list of some brands that are vegan. You can also check the ingredients in the puff pastry from your local grocery store, making sure there are no animal products like egg or dairy used.
Spinach: Omit the spinach if you don’t have it. I don’t recommend to substitute any other green vegetable here.
White Onion: Purple onion is bitter as compared to white onion, so I don’t recommend to substitute this. Omitting the onion will make the mixture taste bland, so perhaps green onion can act as a better substitute instead.
Vegan Butter: I like Melt brand of salted vegan butter sticks. Earth Balance is another great company for this. Instead of butter, you can also try avocado oil or olive oil.
Spices: I used Italian herb seasoning, but Greek or Indian-style mixed seasonings can also be used. Additionally, add the salt and black pepper to taste as per personal preference.
Potato: I used a Russet potato, but you can also use Yukon Gold or sweet potatoes.
Easy Baked Vegan Potato Puffs Recipe Notes
- After boiling the potatoes, make sure to drain them well and let them cool slightly before mashing. Excess moisture can make the potato mixture too wet, resulting in puffs that don’t hold their shape.
- Add your preferred seasonings (or fresh herbs with the water all squeezed out) to the mashed potato mixture. Popular choices include garlic powder, onion powder, garam masala, cayenne pepper, dried herbs like thyme, fresh rosemary, and salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning according to your preferences.
- Preheat your oven to the specified temperature on the puff pastry package instructions. Bake the puffs until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. The exact baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them.
- To ensure even browning, flip the potato puffs halfway through the baking time. This will help achieve a consistent texture and color.
- Potato puffs are the best when they are fresh and warm. Serve them as an appetizer or with your favorite dipping sauce (vegan sour cream with added spices, green chutney or more)!
More Vegan Recipes You’ll Love
Garlic Hasselback Potatoes: This Garlic Swedish Potato Recipe is also known as Hasselback Potatoes, consisting of thinly sliced potatoes coated with garlic butter.
Sweet Potato Fritters: These Sweet Potato Fritters are crispy on the outside and just the right amount of tender on the inside. It’s the perfect recipe for a healthy tater tot!
Savory Sweet Potatoes with Coconut Milk: Savory Sweet Potatoes with Coconut Milk are an Indian-inspired side dish of stir fry ginger, garlic and cumin with sweet potatoes simmered in a coconut flavor.
Creamy Vegan Potato Salad: This Gluten Free Potato Salad Recipe uses no animal products, instead making a creamy homemade mayo base using cashews – it makes the perfect dish for a summer picnic potluck!
If you make these Easy Baked Vegan Potato Puffs, then leave a comment and star rating! Don’t forget to tag your photos @peanut_palate on Instagram. Enjoy!
Easy Baked Vegan Potato Puffs
Equipment
- Baking Tray
- Potato Masher or fork
- Pastry Brush
- Pizza Cutter
Ingredients
- 1 sheet vegan puff pastry
- 1 large white potato boiled and mashed with a potato masher
- 1 cup fresh spinach water squeezed out, finely chopped
- ¼ to ⅓ block tofu water squeezed out, finely chopped
- ¼ to ⅓ cup white onions diced
- salt, pepper, and any other spices
- vegan butter to brush the pastries with
Instructions
- On a clean work surface, follow the instructions for rolling out the pastry as given on the box.
- Once an entire rectangle is rolled out, use a pizza cutter to make 12 even sections, as shown in the post photos above.
- In a large bowl, mix together the ingredients for the filling using a fork. Start with the ¼ cup of tofu and onions, and add more as desired after tasting the final filling.
- Once all the filling ingredients are incorporated, take 12 even portions of the mixture and place on each pastry section.
- Take the four corners of each pastry and fold them up (see the picture of the finished product).
- Brush butter on top of each pastry using a pastry brush.
- Place each puff pastry on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (or well-greased).
- Follow the instructions on the pastry box for how long to bake them.
- They will be very soft when you remove them from the oven, so let them cool down before eating.
- Enjoy!
Notes
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Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. For best results, use an air fryer to heat them back up.
- Calories are calculated with a quarter block of tofu and an approximation of 2 tbsp oil used in total for brushing the pastries.